INAUGURATION OF THE GODLEY STATUE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2092, 4 September 1867, Page 1 (Supplement)

INAUGURATION OF THE GODLEY STATUE.

At last the Statuo is unveiled, and at.last the public are, permitted to -look.-upon a figure which recalls to the minds of those, who knew him the features of John Robert Godley. But, among the thousands who -were congregated in Cathedral Square"on Aug- G,;therc were very few ' indeed. wli b c.ou I(I claim t lint they had even seen tliefouhderof Canterbury.. while he yet lived and worked, fewer still Tvho could say that they had known him, not : one who was conspicuously "associated with, him in the work of colonization. Ahibrig. his friends and intimate fellow-workers there was ho brie to pronounce his eulogy. Jlis most celebrated disciple arid .biographereven [..was. absent, but it was in the service of the colony, . this portion of which tlie dead and the -living.: toiled to make worthy of the country whence it sprung; and John Robert Godlcy's.iife, coupled with the eerenipny: of Tuesday, is a lasting proof path "of duty only, steadily and unswervingly pursuedj.wiillead, to sueli honours asmendiaye it in their power, to bestow* .--.-■

Although the memoirs of, John Robert Godley have been written, by. at least two who were among the number of his most intimate friends, there are .not inaiiy of the general public who know much..beyond the fact that lie was the founder of Canterbury;. that the province,' at whose birth, he presided, over whose earliest days : he watched with: infinite solicitude, whose faltering and uncer-, tain steps he ; wisely and firmly guided, has, while yet in its minority, deemed him worthy of a statue. For the benefit of these, we; shall give a brief:,'. sketch '. of liisi life. : We, have heard ..it ..asked, of ..late, by those who measure amah's merits and mete but his deserts in the ratio pf' iiis popularity,' Why should John Robert Godley have, a Statue ? The answer is plaihj and, cannot be gainsaid. JolnßobertOodleydeservesapublicstatue be-1 causehe. set.beforean infant colony an example; of spotless integrity, and oftliorough devotion to honest, manly work; because, to him; we owe. much of the ..prosperity we: have .enjoyed, :and the high position-Canterbury has always held; amongjthevarious.provinces-.of the colony., We'.'cannot estimate too highly the adyaritage' to Canterbury^then,.riow,, ; and.in aU.time.tP come--which was conferred by. :ihe; example, and precepts of /.John : R6bert .Godley. For the' materials.'of. the following.Vsketch we are indebted to the memoir prefixed to.the " Writings and Speeches of John Robert' Godley," published in .Christchurchih 1863, and edited by, Mt FitzGerald. ■■■'. -■:■■ John Robert Godleywas born in 1814, in a rank.of life in which the great'talentshewas endowed with were certain to find every'means of development He /was. /the..eldest./son/of MriGodleyof Killigar,"a gentleman of good landed-property, in'the county of: Leitrim in Ireland" ' ■; His.. mother -was sister;. to the Bishopof Cashel.' After receivings the 'rudi.ments.of education at a local- .school,'he was Sent to HarroWjv)vhere he distinguished himself by gainmg.two scholarships of spmeupte. from Harrow-he, went.to■ Christ Church, Oxford; and while there gained the; Fell Scholarship. He graduated in 18'35-having just attained his majority—taking a Becpnd class, in classics. Ho .adopted;the law?as a profession, and was called to-the English bar : in.-..due: course. ; -His biographer informs us..that he held.'few; briefsj; caring. little fbrthe practice hut. much for the principles of. his. profession;'./ He devoted himself more particularly to■/ the study of politics, in the widest sense of the.word,. ..Hedidnot study, the position, traditions, and principles;of. patties, but made himself conversant, with the art of governing men: under various conditions of. life.- He travelled a good deal, and; in 1844, being'.yet a young man, published a book entitled "Jitters .-on. America," which is said to have merited and received the .notice of politicians in America,; as well as in England. During, the terrible famine in Ireland he forward a scheme- for the relief of his suffering countrymen. . This scheme brought him more .prominently, before the ' l public;/'■' and/ /stamped him. M a man of /large, .practical ideas, founded on: sound principles of;; pbliti-' cal economy.. The .scheme was ..rejected by, the Premier pf.England, although it received almost universal commendation, from thepublic press, In i 847 Mr Godley was a can-, didate for the. representation of his. nativecounty in Parliament. /He;,was -defeated,, entirely, as it would seem, on .account of. local prejudice.. against :;the. portion.: of ..the.' county to which lie belonged; it-is right to. add that Mr Godley, previous to; his return to F.ngland in 1852, receiVed letters frorri/ home in .which he.was. assiired-';that the: seat he had 'unsuccessfully- contested in : 1847> ; Waited, his' acceptance.. ; : He'., declined: the.proffered.honour. ■ ■. The -conception: of the .work;.... to; which Mr' Godley devoted \ three, years■ Pf liis'/ too -short.. life-- the '- tioh of the.: Canterbury Settlement--and which he successfully accomplished,.in spitepf difficulties, which, s to ordinary menwould have been insurmountable, dates from hia introduction to Mr. Edward Gibbon Wake-; field; whoße;narne will for ever hold a promi-nept^laceln-the.history ojE New Zealand,; M being the, actual -fourider.:bf' the colony;' Mr Godley,we. are;told :by the biographers already quoted, ; was ; the. author of the particular design; on. which "Canterbury was; founded—thougli; there is. eVery reason .to believe that: the idea originated with. Mr; Wakefield-T-andi especially;: of that,-dis-! tihgiiishing. feature : of the;;settlement which; required that ample ; fuhds should be provided. out of. the proceeds,6f the land sales for the religions and educational wants of the community ahoiit to-be established. He was also. to enjoy the singular"privilege of being the. executant., as -well-: as: : hhe;designer of the He-became V director of 2ealand^bmpany, ; withthe-view of becoming eventually, the loeal.managii.gv director of the. trtnttr.bury' Association.' '■ During the two years which ■it took:' to -■ mature . the ■nsingeiuenti. ion k * ~ influence . and- abilities Were PXCTte(I * the utmost,' not only ln «"M>is but

' in rill, that relatcci.tp.tlio gbpigpTcrhmeni. of .the British polonies, ' : .:ITe. left. -England for New .Zealand- in-Deccmber -1843, : although, t ; on account of his health, he:;liiid>edn iiclr i ;.vißed.tp.speii)d;tlio^iuter : in Madeira. Gap-. r tain Thomas, on behalf of tho Canterbury Assciciatiori, had preccderl Mr Gertley, _; litid .when the.' latter arrived: at' iiy't-."-.tel.ton liefounf that the Work of. surveying , thenew settlement, so far as it.had proceeded, ; liad .cost more than tlie Association antici- ;'. pateilj tiieembryo ..colony .was" already in ; debt., itseenied.tp. Mr Godley that only one : cpursc was open to him. He stopped all T^OTks^atXytte.Uon,-"aridproceeded "at once to' . where' :he resided during the remaining portion.of 1850, While waiting at Wellington for tlie arrival of the first body of .Canierbury settlers, Rlr Gpdiey devoted himself with clmracteriatic energy to-thwart-ing Sir Gebrge:Grey.rthen ; as now Governor*: of the colony—in his attempt-to: introduce: ■whathasbpencalledashaniconstitution, In rthis he was successful,.and;,on;this score the .whole colony owes him a. debt of gratitude. ■ Mr Godleyremained in New Zealand from December, 1850, till Decemberj 1852, and'was ;really the.supreme.authority in, all..matters:, relating, to the settlement he had left England : to found. It is. not: too much to say that Canterbury owes her jprosperity--liumanly speaking-,tq his,practical;:.wisdom and wise foresight! Mr Godley whs requested to become the first Superintendent, of the province,, but' he. had made, arrangements for .returning jp- England at the ■ end; of. three•, years, and:he : left tiie.province in December, ; .1852, Beforedeayingihe; was entertained at -■ a; public .baiiguet held in a. large marquee in ■' Hagiey Park. Of. those present: on that: , occasion-:there are now few in Canterbury. . Arace.has-sprungup whp-inqw the 1 story of Mr Godley'sjiferr-if .tlieyknOw.it at.alH through tradition. To them- this, brief sketch! may prove pfsome interest, arid may serve to ■■ shew fhatVtbere is a .nobility Vrliicir men: do not inherit, and higher titles than those, con- ; f erred by king or kaiser, ; ■.; After pGbdley's/ return to England he i

held several high appointments' jn the public service,./ ii'teraliy dying in har.ness as Assistant Under Secretary, at War in 1862. Although lie ted left. Gan;terhiiry ;he.;; did; not. to be strongly attached to. tlie settlement. In 1854-he was appointed. English agent for the province, but resigned in .1856, in consequence of his - ; connection.with tlie public service. ■;: The/statue wliiph was.inaiigurated on Tuesday; was suggested by Mr .Mporhouse, in ..opening.the. session of; the Provincial Council :bn;::bctober 1,; >1862; : " He : .said %my' intention to/request your approval of : the erection of a pedestaland statue, cominembra-.: tive of the services of tne.Venm.t.ed fomiderof

the Canterbury settlement.''; On Pctober'2B; the Provincial Council passed the following: resolution unanimously ;—" Thai this Coun-. cil, desiring to record .its ' deep sense: of the .loss which.:the; Province-of Canterbury has. sustained; by the death, of, its founder, and deeming it right to preserve for ever amongst the inhabitants of : the Province the memory of labours.to which, it is so deeply, .indebted, as well, as an; example pf worth and .excellence in private life, and of wisdom and: uprightness in the administratipn pf public' affairs,.resolves—that ai Statue ~of the lii.fe John Robert Godley be, erected, in the .City of Christchurch on such public place as his JHpnbr the Superintehdent shall- direct; and that.his;Honpr the Superiiitendent be'.respect;fully requested to iake such steps as may be necessary, to carry this resolution into; effect; and, this; Council undertakes to make due provision for. the ;cpst of such a work out of : the public revenues of.the;province"' In; accordance with this resolution a commissipn ;was. given -,tp Mr; Wpolner for the Statue; whichis .now'placed under the guardianship of the City. Council of Christchurch and-. ..the. public of. Canterbury. When completed, the Statue ;was;exhibited; in. London for. a short timej and. was : pro-, nounced: by competent judges to: be: a life-, like representation., of Mr Godley, as well as a highly, successful.and characteristic production of the artist.- . The Statue ; was brought to Canterbury; in, the Bhip;talbpt, which 'arrived in, Lyttelton on Aug. .1)1866/ TheErection .'of .the from, the quarry : of Messrs Ellis, and from a design and drawings by Mr Woolher-was entrusted; to Mr Brassingtoni Whehxptnpieted,;the ; top of: the pedestal.was.found to be. smaller than the .base of the figure, and "the■ work; had mostly :to;.be donelover again;;, Tlie figure waslnally :piaced onJ and lip to'Aiig. 5 .has been allowed, : without any appav •rent" reason, td;stand encased ;wrapper, :Surrburided;;by.;some ; rough board- ■ iing; ;:;'. ; :;-.;.-v; ■;;:, :.■■:.., v-;;..

following: ■brief';description > of; the Statue appeared in the Atheiueumlpt Septem-: iber 3, of /bronze;, and; ;was;cast by ;theJCpalbrbpk Dale Company. Jt ;iß.stated , that:when,Mr;Godiey landeddn New; Zealand he was so impressed by/the iappearr jrespbnsibilityVwhlch 'lay- yrith.-hirniself■ % ;founder, : tliat/:he:,remaineu;a Jong, time/absorbed in contemplation and; thought of the possible future of tlie nation he had come to; seat in a new land. MrWoblner, whojias■always.been heedful of. the leading points of

his subjects, has seized this moment, not only because it was/apt 7 to the/occasion of/iiis; work, with regard/tb; Its being a public/ expression; of gratitude for. services received; and.to stand surrounded by the results of the subject's action, .in; life on the lives of other men;.but because it afforded'■ a theme epic.in character,;extremeiy weii. fitted to sculpture, aiid" wholly; free/.from;the. /merely .conventionally dramatic elements of expression and attitude: As. was right in treating' a .modern. nidn-in .art, Mr tluj; attitude, ot.expression; of: tlie/1 iiiibs, tlitih uppri the facial expression'.of.:'liis pbjecV Whefejiowever,; studied:- tlie face, : -^t^?^^^' 0511 "^ 0^ 'tiie.attitu<le;iS':dis-;

played, and the figure becomes extraordinarily effeclivu in its supreme harmony witli the features. There is no strain, but much ntensity, in this work; consequently its grows upon the spectator, whose mind receives it with extraordinary force. Its simplicity soon becames grandeur, superior to

f conventionality of. design; its repose grows r lititi) immense .emotion, surpassing the power. , of the mere liriibs to render by their action. - .The emotion being mental, tlie face gives it ■ most. Willi such an .idoa ; of his theme, and * power enough to express it in art, it is ; .almost needless to say that the sculptor ; eschewed all; studio traditions with regard to ;. thciransmpgrifying.of modern costume iiitp , a aprt-of pseudo-akin to a man, such as we ■ have seen put in force even iii public statues i witli.regard to armour (of conceivable tilings : .the/most unfit for such a display of pedantry), and which often supply the last refuge for 1 sculptors who adhere to scholasticism rather than art. Still less lias Mr Wooiiier clothed liis-statue in Romari-o.r Greek garments, or. in those which nondescript folks have beeii ; taught to style" draperies." The point to be observed in respect to priucipie. in this, mat- : teris, that the. subject is literally and absolutely cM in the costume lie wore in life, without any compromise whatever. We rejoice to obrerye this, arid regard it as one of the .healthiest signs of art that it should, be done so.-that the observer sees more-oil the man than of liis dress—the last, hpw- :. ever, is disposed with suitable art. See the figure from what point we will, it composes well, and is expressive behind as well'as-■ before. This is due to the thoroughness of the sculptor's conception of his tlieme, and the care with which that conception is •wrought out, Down the figure's back no meaningless cascade of " drapery" falls in an attempt to hide a disproportion or a feeble pose;-its legs hear the maiij its arms belong to him. On Aug. 6 the sun-rose bright, arid the sky was blue over:■: Cliristchurch, propitiously ushering:in;:.a day which was to become: memorable in the annals of Ganterbury, and after so hnieh bad weather as we have had, seeming to smile approvingly on the preparations being.made by the young province, tocelebrate its first act Of hero-worship. Many of the shops were closed, flags were flyingfrom housetops iii: different parts of the city, people: began early in.the forenoon to congregate in arid .-about Cathedral Square, arid ■■ altogether'the: day wore the air.of a holiday, flip unsightly boarding had been removed ' from the statue on the .previous day, ao that on:the morning of Tuesday it was covered only by a: veil of unbleached cotton. The stands for the accommodation of ladies while, witnessing the ceremonial were covered iii with canvas'and well supplied with seats; ' and a.-great-number of chairs were placed on ' the ground in front of the stands. In front ' of the:statue was erected a low platform car- ' peted, and- furnished with a rail and thewhole ! was enclosed with a fence encircling an area < large enough to hold three or: four'hundred ] people; In-the. rear of the pedestal was < erected a flag-pole, |rom which floated the < Union: Jack:; and the friendly wind blew '

it ! oyer.: > the head -of uhe statue; Outside the fence a multitude of.many :hundred:persoh;swas:assembled;and within the area.the.youngermembers.Of the; community were comfortably, accommodated,/ free; from pressure, .and .well able to see,-.and'ihear. the proceedings.. Within, this. area: we. 'noticed thelleys, J..C. Bagshaw,; 8./ W. Dudley, j,. G. .Cholmohdeley,, F. Knowles,; W.'W.. • YYil-. lock, R..S! .Jackson, 6. Grant, W;:J;Habehs, J; ! /B;; Chataignier,.: Q. and T-:-' R. Fisher, the Provincial Auditor, .and : many other noteworthy gentlemen of Canterbury. Shortly, after twelve o'clock the official procession marched ; from the Government the scene of the ceremony, preceded by the regimental band; playing " : Auld Lang Syne," first- imposition were companies of Odd Fellows and Foresters, carrying banners-then the Provincial Execn-

tive abreast; next; his : Honor the Judge and tlie Very Kev the Dean; then the Resident Magistrate'of Christchurch and the Cliief Commissioner of \taste Lands;; arid finally, the City Council and the' Town Clerk. On ■reaching Cathedral Square the procession turned westward, and entered the eiiclo.sure at the north'sidebf the statue, The' Odd Fellows and Foresters formed; in line. round threp sides; of the stone rail basement which, encloses the:pedestal, the more distinguished officials ■■'■ ascended the platform - f and, as they, did: si),: the: union-jack ■which floated Oyer the veiled figure, w.as hauled down. The Very Reverend the Dean then appeared in front of the platform, and offered. :Up-tlie; fblowing prayer :r-> .0 Almighty God'' and 'Most Merciful: Father,' from wh6rn,alo.he cometh every good', and' perfect - gift, we who are. g'athewd/- together' here this day' dp:mpst humbly beseech.Thee to: bless, this undertaking in whichwo are. engaged, Grant,' .We,bpseech ■Thee, that, while we do honour to tkd memory, of, the ..Chief .'Founder of this Province,.we ; maynot forget that we.owe all theblessingswohave.enjoyed in this place, and the great prosperity ofthis province intimes.past, to Thy supreme goodnessand unaeserved bounty ;Make. us deeply.thanklul.for all Thy.morcies.bothof the past and ofthe.present. In this 'time of de'.preaaiori .and difficulty, make 1 us to be -patient .cpntented,; and hopeful. Grant that wo may' profit by tho.trials, through whichwe are passing : and learn, from them,lesspns..of.prudence, B'ober- : ness of mind, and a wise; economy in ; the'uso of Thy gifts. ; Wa beseech Tlieo of Thy goodness to ..restore.to us;prpspcnty atsiich time,, and in such measure.as Thou khowest to be.best bbthfor our temporal and eternal interests.'". :

But .more ospeeia|ly we pray Thoe'that the.' work m which wp are.cngaged this, day may ■ redound to the; great' benefit of 'us and of bur children.; Grant that .this monumentof bno who ;serpcd Thee faithfully by doing: good inhisffene; :ratipn, and shewed forth in hie life the fruits of Christian faith, niayihcite:us ail to greator activity and energy in; all well-doing, greator faithful,noss and constancy mitho,, dischargo of our public and. privato duties, greater diligence, in-.tho work of:our.respective, callings, and' greater'. zeal' and. deyotedness'.for.the public;good, May wo follow him;al 3 0. in: ; integrity and. hlamo-: lessnessXhfe, and glorifyThoo by.evor showine forth the.light of a. good examplo,both in -word; :and,deen.','.. ■ , ■■;''■ ■'";■"■''';. ".:■; "■:..-,:.■.:■.'

- ?$ e VP -° ' Natno and.through tho Modiation of rhy.Blessed Son, our Saviour Josijs. Christ, who has taught, us when we pray to say wliiclurt/iii Heaven; -Hallowed'bV Thy ; Name;: : Thy Kinjrdom comoj Thy will ho dono onearth.as it is in Henrenj Give us this ;daypur:-daily bread;,Forgivo Us ;bur trespass ; as we forgive thom.tliat trespass agoinst us; Lend "usnotnito temptation,.but deliverua fromovil- : ;ForThinois: the.Kingdom, the power .and the glory, fororer and over. Anion, -

//Thehand then struck up "Ruleßritannia'" the veibwas lifted ofTilie-statue'f-and, the flag was again -hoisted over it, and under the leading.of-'Mr'William Wilson, Chairnmn of the City ;Council,.the crowd Vave three hearty 'cheers..'; ■ .---.'■ ,■'"■-" ••'■ ■■"■■■ ■

■Mr C,, o,' Botcv then' c«ma forward to idelivcr the:.iimiigurat;;addrcss. He Riiiii ho Imd.bcen called op to-d»y to perform % duty iwhieli, "but for unforeseen circinnstiuu-ot wonhhkvc'devolved .'upon ii gijiitleiimii-td ;wl;bm the wholu i/rbyi.ico lookeil on nil been ?ion of/suclrdeej) interest to the foniiilers aiid' settlers of Gimturbury; TJie Enivinehil <j 0 - vernmen',. .was desirous : tliat some :porsonal ; friend of the mail whose ineniiir/.thiiy .were met%: celebratc—spjnV".one icoiinccled with: him m his colonizing'.worlc-islimild' take a' prominent, part, in ihiinyixruHngtlib slalne. '■which had; just been unveiled; It -wiisvery miidi;':to ; .be regretted' tlmt ; circiiiiistiinees should ;lmve prevented ;Mr i iizGerahlfroih undertaking'a duty Vliieii ■have'performer so npp;riipriitely orwith so •niiui.h Kr.u:e; .1 lis inabiliiy (<, h« presont"miulii lie.a-great' ilisiippoiirtiiienftoone. win'was

so deeply attached to Mr Godley, and so intimattOy connected with him in the work he had so pinch at ..heart. In Mr FitzGenild's .abseiiee been asked to take his place as oriewhp, in however humhle a degree, had' the honour arid -pleasure of being connected with the work of:the Canterbury Association, and wiio ; would ever cherish the memory of . Mr. Godley's friendship as one of the greatest .privileges lie Jiad enjoyed in lif o . (Cheers.) : They would; .not expect from him, as they might, have expected from Mr FitzGerald, any details of the early aspiratlierstruggles and failures—of the earnest perseverance,—which finally resulted in- tlie foundation of this distant outwork of the British Empire. It would be enough if . they could realise; the value of a great man's . exumpiej.and estimate justly the importance of keeping such a man's memory alivo in the hearts of a young people, It was especially important, in'a;, pococurante age to realise .the true measure of greatness—in an age when iiiere. personal success is too much worshipped,—to pay a just tribute to a laborious life spent in furthering the welfare of others. The colonization

Of the waste places of the earth had it all times Men held to be one of the highest means; of promoting the welfare anil happiness :qf. the human race, A new impetus iiras-given to this civilizing process by tiie writings of Mr Edward Gibbon WakeHeld, who might be said to have revolutionized the whole system of British colonization. And the founders of Canterbury, of whom this gentleman was one, did not judge amiss when they held that the higher the aim's of. a young colony the greater would be the benefit derived irom its foundation. They worked together, and incurred all the risks inseparable ..from; such a scheme as theirs, in the hope of restoring to the work of colonization some of its old heroic proportions. They dreamt of recalling some of the civilized method which 'made a Greek colony the counterpart of,the' mother state—some of the earnest feeling which inspired the first tamers of the '■American wilderness. They offered no inducemkitsto mere mercenary adventurers, hut -they sought-'the assistance of all those who desired to transplant the best features of the society, they were leaving at home. But it was clear that without a leader actuated by the spirit in which the idea of the new colony arigiiiated, the whole scheme was likely to prove a failure. Mr Godley, himself the leading spirit of the movement, then undertook to be the leader of the colonists; and liow he led them, let those who remember the two first years of d.ffleulty and of 3lieerful, manful struggle, bear witness, He ivas not now defending all the theories of the founders of Canterbury. Experience taught many lessons; and Mr Godley himself would !iave been; the last man to uphold all the risioris with which he started. But the great jntlmsiasm which led to a great endeavour, jore its natural and legitimate fruit, and the character-of"the/leader influenced to a» incalculable extent the fortunes of the young lettleriient, There have been differences of jpinion, and shades of annoyance such as visa-over every human scene, but he confilently appealed to the settlers of those mfly.days to say whether there was not m esprit (le corps among all classes; an earnest .desire to found a home fit for and worthy.of English men and women, ah intense., interest taken by every individual settler, iii; the common weal, such as.it would be;hard to revive under other circumstances;. It was not necessary to agree with all the views/and objects of those times in order'to admire.and appreciate the spirit .then; shewiu'Many of his friends present, who would perhaps most widely dissdnt from some of.tiie views of the founders of Canterbury would be the firstto hail with satisfaction a renewal of that energy and public spirit, For, after alj,,it was the old English spirit, ever ready"to-beevoked.when there was a cause and a leader.. It had ken well said by an eminent historian, that between Englishmen of the present day. and the men of old England —of the so-called ages of faith—there is a great; guff; They cannot come to us, and our imagination can but feebly penetrate to them. Only in tlie 'long-drawn aisles and fretted ■vaults, of their great cathedrals, only as Ave gaze on iheir silent figures sleeping on their tombs, some faint.conception floats before us of what these men were when they were alive. Time goes-fast in this century; fastest of all in a young country ; and although in every year ;or. generation-the same qualities may be developed; yet the conditions are different. Few as 1 were the years that had elapsed since the/foundation of; this settlement, we required some, such'reminder as may be found in lookins; upat that grave, earnest face before we could understand the ambition of the founders of; this province'/. ..(Cheers.) The Canterbury Association was not a mercantile body, or a colonizing speculation ; but its members incurred all, the risks of a trading company without one hope or desire of gaining any personal .advantage; they advanced all the moiieyinocessafy/in the first instance for fiirtliering tlieir .object, and through evil report

and goOdrepbrt they upheld with unswerving confidence' the; man whose influence had induced thenri to' embark on their venturous Their, success was well deserved. And/the parting between the Association and ■ the.icolbiiy/wlien the former had completed its.work, ".was: one of the most pleasing and /creditableicpjsodes in the history of British colonization... One of the best measures of the- calibre of 'Mr Godley's mind was to be . found in the amount and the sort of influence which lit! always exercised over those brought into close.contact with him whether at home or abroad. 1 .No one could fail to be struck by that' miiiily love of truth and scorn of humbug, iii whatever shape it might appear, which characterized not only his actions but . his.l whole manner of thought. His influence was largely due to his conspicuous'...courage-.; not only the mora! and ■physical courage which he shewed on many trying occasions,: but also that far rarer intellectual (burage which fearlessly followed up thought to its logical conclusions. Eminent statesmen.;, regretted the feebleness of health which, deprived his country of his ■services iria more conspicuous position than :he ever occupied; while they sought and valued his opinions on all subjects of public interest. Vlndeed there were few subjects of public interest on which his ever active mind -did hot exercise "itself with a desire to work, which never-flagged through painful illness, or. even in sight of approaching death. And the lasting affection wiih which his memory was-regarded, by-all those who knew him well ■was very ■remarkable j it seemed to partake of the, strength,of Ms own character and the sterling, truth of his nature, (Cheers.) '■Though' never .prone to general demonstriiiivenessj > aiid perhaps sometimes n little;.; ;iiiiipiitient -, of petty personal grie ■'varices;.;when; his whole soul was full of.i the greater, .ills to which flesh is heir, he; attracted7;to himself more sincerely attached, friends than most men could b:>astof. men of no common "stamp.;they were, bound to him by no ordi-liary-tiusj'-byiip'iiiere accidental association; they-Imdsyiiipiufhisud .with him in the sumo ennoljiing. pursuits; they had worked with ■ liiih :for tho:Hiinio yrtat ends, and they were •readyitb/iiiakY'Siicrifices at his call to cany otit.wlmt;ttiey-had planned together. It was ..very probable'; that two old friends of this eplony'j two b'fj.thbse who had been looked at ita'-.tlui'lCniJlislrriGpresentiitivos of the province, woiild pay .118:11 visit at the close of the present yciir-r-liu meant Lord Lyttelton ad Mr Sclfo ; niid'-iie-was sure that one of the greutest pleasures ihoy would experience in visi-

irigthis,;laii[t :of their hopes and dreams •oulilbe this proof that the province honours nil Mores the. memory of the man they onoured and/ioyed in life. The fourteen

years that had elapsed since he bade farewell to _ the settlers of Canterbury had not obliterated the memory of his lust word* addressed to them not far from that spot. He had been astonished to find how very vividly many of the old settlers could recall the whole scene and the very words then uttered. When he thought of what was then said, ho could not refrain at this time of temporary depression, which affected all more or less, to remind them of what Mr Godley would have said if he had been here to advise us now, They must remember that the present state of affairs was absolute and great prosperity when compared with what was faced with courage by the early settlers. Colonies must go through these phases of depression as well as older countries, and in young countries they must be more generally felt, as everyone's interests are so closely linked with those of his neighbours. The length and severity of the depression would depend on how it was'hict, And there was only onb way of meeting it,'' Mr Godley was never tired of impressing on those who sought his advice that there was no royal road to success, even in the colonies. Work, work, work for small profits, if large ones are not to be attained—but still work on. If you fail in your endeavours, try again; and if you fail again, try yet again. Don't trust to political nostrums ; don't think that the Government can help you out of your difficulties; don't fancy that help can come from abroad; above all, do not waste your lives and difile your souls by ceaseless grabbing for money; do not look on your profits as the sole end of your labour. To men who were working hard, Mr Godley preached the nobleness of work, and they believed him and were comforted. Canterbury wouldyetseeasprosperous days as ever. Under Providence it remained with ourselves to lengthen or to shorten the period of our adversity. (Cheers.) But to return to what they were doing that day. Not only was it a great thing to keep alive the traditions of the past and the memories of our worthies; not only was it right that this memorial of the leader of the colony should be erected where all could see what manner of man he was; but it was also a great thing that such a work of art as this statue by Woolner should be constantly before the eyes of the rising generation. In a young country the want of that education which was insensibly acquired by the constant familiarity with great works of art was most severely felt. We might therefore welcome with satisfaction such a statue as many large cities at home would be proud to possess. Who would exchange it for the inartistic figures that disgraced some of the squares in London, or even for the wonderful cocked-hat opposite the Marble arch ? (Laughter.) In some future day, when this generation was dead and gone, to those who looked up inquiringly at this statue it would be told how the fathers of the colony left their homes and tamed the wilderness under the leadership of a man of heroic type; how, when he died, the representatives of the people, appreciating his character, determined to erect a monument worthy of his memory, and how a great sculptor in executing the work impressed it with the stamp of his genius.

" So shall some old man speak in the after time To all the people, winning reverence." And now he would congratulate the city that this statue was about to be handed over to its care, worthy as it was of admiration, like King Arthur's sword of old, not only for the memory of a great man, but on account of its own intrinsic beauty; not like that sword, to disappear from the eyes of men, but to be preserved by us and our successors as a possession for ever. (Cheers.) The band then played "Auld Lang Syne." His Honor the Superintendent (addressing Mr Wilson) said he had much pleasure in handing over to the City Council the statue commemorative of the founder of Canterbury. He had not the slightest doubt but that every care would be taken that this embellishment of the city would be protected and handed down to posterity. (Cheers.) Mr W. Wilson said-Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen, in the name of the corporation and citizens of Christehurch I accept this memorial of a gentleman whose name will ever be honourably associated as one of the leading members of that body of gentlemen by whom this great and important province was successfully founded. The band played the National Anthem.

The statue is that of a tall figure, slightly but strongly framed; extremely erect, and remarkably expressive of dignity, energy, aud decision. The forehead is bail; and the features of the face, as well as the whole air of the effigy are of the benignant heroic type In gazing upon the lineaments we were reminded of that paradoxical judgment pronounced on Mr Godley's character by Mr FitzGerald, when he said he thought he would have been a better man had he been a worse, or used words to that effect. It may have been so, looking at the great colonist as a member of ordinary society, but we have to look back on him as a leader of pioneers into a new land, where more than ordinary difficulties had to be overcome, and where it was his vocation, not only to overcome those which directly assailed himself, but to support others in their struggles, and preserve an orderly march onwards to the conquest of such conditions of life as appertain to civilization. Surely in such a position too much virtue was hardly possible, even though it was tinctured with severity. Taking this work of combined veneration and art as a whole, it is not a mere embellishment of our city-it is an inspiration. There is a hutian grandeur about it which the young cannot look upon without a kindling of emulation, or the old without esteem and reverence.

The proceedings of the day were conducted in the best order, and the large assembly was peaceable and attentive, with one ignoble exception, whose attempt at interruption met with no response. Beyond the crowd in front of the statue, Dr Barker and a friend had established themselves and a photographic apparatus, to take views of the celebration; and we may therefore hope that pictures of a scene so impressive, coupled with the eloquent address of Mr Bowcn, will be circulated throughout the province, and handed down to the children's children of the first colonists of Canterbury.