HONOURING THE DEAD

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 238, 29 June 1915, Page 3

HONOURING THE DEAD

SEDDON MEMORIAL UNVEILED. TRIBUTES TO GREAT PESSONALIT"X. WELLINGTON, June 27. In wet weather yesterday afternoon, bi the presence of a considerable ntr'.bev of people, the statue of the late Rx. Hon. R. J. Seddon was unveiled in the Parliamentary grounds by his Excellency the Governor, Lord Livei-pm;]. The Nationd Anthem and "The Garland of Flowers" wqvq pU>j«j6 by the band and speeches eulogistic of the late-Premier were delivered by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), his Excellency, the Prime Minister, and Sir Joseph Ward.

The statue stands upon a rising slope in the grounds of Parliament House, at a point which Tvill b\ in a direct line with, the main entrance of the. new building. It has been placed upon a gracefully proportioned pedestal of Aberdeen granite 15f- in height, relieved by chaste mouldings. On the north and south sides of the pedestal are bronze shields bearing the deceased stateman's initials in monogram. Near the top there runs a frieze of bronze, upon which have be.'ii modelled seasholis and billowy wares in which dolphins are sporting, emblematic d" the Overseas Dominions. Upon the front of the pedestal is engraved tJio simple inscription "Richard John Seddon." The figure, uh'el; rests upon this pedestal, is of bronze, 9ft din high, and is admirably proportioned. Like the pedestal, the figure is the work of .Sir Thomas Brock, the eminent English sculptor, who is best known as the designer of the great Queen Victoria Memorial now erected in front of Buckingham Palace. Sir Thomas worked from photographs taken while Mr.' Seddon was. in the act of addressing a meeting at Papawai In 1905. His modelling was further aided by suggestions furnished by Mrs. and Miss Seddon in London. He has depicted the orator dressed in the frock-coat which Mr. Seddon always affected upon the platform, his right hand uplifted to emphasise his appeal, while in his left hand he holds a sheaf of notes. His feet are firmly planted in a characteristic attitude, giving a sense of power and motion to the body. At his feet rest two ponderous tomes, a laurel leaf and a tJir'on Jack upon a staff, symbolising his work as a legislator, the Empire which he assisted to consolidate, and the victory h& won in the success which attended his many acitof statemanship. No such Avork may be above criticism, but the- impression left upon the mind of the impartial observer as ho looks at this, the latest addition to Now Zealand's monuments, i.--' that the artist has succeeded in catching - something of the soul of the man. The pose is natural and forceful; the figure -is inst'.nct with life,/and, as such, it bos been commented. upon with very gonial approval.

At i':e close of t-fc'd c.«»r,ojmr.«y n lvn-"' sotvjo laurel vrenth wos Ip l ft: fliO 1 ••* - of the moinrriipnt -hy Mr; rvih-jn M.ll. on behalf of the people of Westland.