MEMORIAL PLAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 128, 2 June 1939, Page 10

MEMORIAL PLAN.

STATUARY DESIGN.

CITY COUNCIL ACTION.

SCHEME FOR ALBERT PARK

A proposal for the erection of a group "f statuary in Albert Pn<-k. in the terms of a dei-ign submitted by Mr. \V. FT. Wright, as Auckland City's centennial memorial U to be submitted to the metropolitan executive of the Auckland l'ni\ hii-iiil Centennial Council for approval. This action \v;is decided upon last night by the City Council, on the recommendation of the Mayor. Sir Kment Davis, who -Mid the estimated cost was approximately £lilioo. •It is „. ..c-< ; .i v that tli.- projtvi be pi—cd to-ni-jl-t «ii that tlic formalities of the centennial nutlinrit ie> can be satislieil inn! tlie iipplicut inn e<<n«idered nt tlic meet in;: of the National Centennial Council to be lield i>, Wellington on .lime !'."' Sir Krnest said.

"With die scheme carrying the approval of tlie Xiitional Council, a subsidy of over £100(1 -will he available to supplement the finance for it. which is beiii-r -npplied hy funds under the Watson l>c(|uest.

'"It is proposed (lint the work he carried out under tlie direction of the citv engineer'-; department in elosn collaboration with the wulptor. The jrroiip is designed in commemorate the |jr«t lot) venr-i of the history of the City of Am-k----':nid. I have sern the moil-1 ii-id have li.-iMi d"ei>ly impressed !>y it. Tl-e main f.-Mlure i< n ped"-fal in I'.ut '•• ml -tone

■"■•■roximiilely ."Oft in length an>l ">ft ' i-'h. On tli" centre portion im> throe

'if- . i/e li>-oii/i. li-incs of a syml.-'lic nature. The one in the centre r.-pre--cuts An.lJ.m.l finding its strength. On the ri;*t Wi-di.m is offi-rin" a Imy leaf to the lii Mire n-pre-entinsr Auckland. On i'-.. lefi a li' Mire represent iii« the I'Vrtiliiy of tlie Soil is ntVerinp n cornucopia. In front of tin. memorial a pool is placed, surrounded by a flapped pavement.

'"The conception appeals to me. n» T urn sure it will to councillor*, as lh» embodiment of the requirements of a memorial to the past, present and future."

Mi-s Ellen Melville slid the library committee considered the clewifni unique. Every per<i>n who had seen the -ketch of the design was impressed with it. If would make a permanent record of Vew Zesilniid'* first 1(10 year.*.

In reply to a question, the Mayor * i<l that £nnn would he tnken from •lie \V;itso M bpiiiie-r, and the coui-ei] "onld cf.ntribiite £:«10. The sub-idv from the f.'iK ernment would be £1000 ■Mid the three sums combined would ■•"i.resent the cost of the memorial. H" ■•"retted that such sLort notice had l'pen r-iven to the council and ex|)lained that if n decision was not made at -•nee the opportunity to obtain the Gnv■■••••letit subsidy would be missed. Air. W. T. Anderton. while beim» sat-'-lied with the sketch, reqretted that other sculptors had not been consulted. Tlie Mayor's rejiort was adopted.