BUYING THE COLOSSEUM

Temuka Leader, Issue 2232, 25 July 1891, Page 3

BUYING THE COLOSSEUM

Advices from the States with reference to the seemingly impossible and preposterous scheme, submitted to the Commissioner of the Chicago Exhibition, for transporting ' the Colosseum at Rome to the shores of Lake Erie show that the idea was broached in all seriousness, and that exhaustive calculations as to probable cost and ihe mode of carrying out the plan have been made. Dr Aitken, who has drawn up the scheme on behalf of an American syndicate representing many millions of capital, says that the hopes of his backers are based upon the financial difficulties of the Italian Government, which will not allow them to disregard the offer of a large sum in ready cash. A prominent American engineer is already in Rome on behalf of the syndicate, and it is proposed that the remains of the great building shall be divided into twelve sections, the stones carefully numbered, and the whole transported to America by special steamers, to be re-erected in the vicinity of the Chicago Exposition and shown to the. curious public of the Western Hemisphere at so much per head. Dr Aitken estimates that the completion of this fin cle Steele project would occupy only twelve months! But up to now they have not even approached the impecunious Italian Government, and .when they do I venture to think the "Almighty dollar" will be found lacking the necessary persuasive power.