FIRST THE CAMPANILE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 114, 16 May 1931, Page 12

FIRST THE CAMPANILE

With the greatest satisfaction Wellington citizens have seen the foundation stone laid for the campanile which is to contain the Wellington War Memorial Carillon. This marks a definite stage in the progress of a great scheme which has been before ihe city so long that citizens had bo-1 gun to ■ doubt whether they Avould ever see ils final accomplishment. Many years ago it was felt that the treasures housed in' ihe Dominion Museum should be given a restingplace more secure,, and thai ihe city's interest in art should be demonstrated by something more pretenlious than a crowded little gallery in a side street. Gradually the complete [scheme has been evolved. The various steps cannot be set out here, but three stages can be noted as having contributed greatly to the ultimate success of the plan: the remarkable enthusiasm of those who first conceived the idea of ■a . war memorial carillon and who so inspired generous donors that all the bells -were promised in a week; the dedication by the Government of an outstanding site for the campanile, museum, and gallery with the promise of £]00,000 when the public contributed an equal amount; anfl the* remarkably successful campaign led by the Mayor, Mr. Troup, to secure the city's share of the fund.' Those who have worked unceasingly for the attainment of a great aim are too numerous to mention. It is gratifying that most of them have seen the foundation stone laid for the first of the buildings. Their labours, when the work is ended, will have supplied the capital city with a campanile and a carillon as a singing memorial of war sacrifices, and with a museum and art gallery which should advance the study of science and the love of art. But even more than this the buildings and their contents will stand as proof that Wellinglonians are proud of their city, and those buildings will inspire future citizens lo work for the city as the promoters of this great undertaking have done.