MOORHOUSE MONUMENT.

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5755, 28 February 1884, Page 3

MOORHOUSE MONUMENT.

A meeting of the Moorhouse Monument Committee was held on Friday, Feb. 15th, in the City Council Chambers. There w jre present—Messrs J. Ollivier (Chairman), H. P..Murray-Aynsley, J. ,Gapee, G. F. Hewlinga, J. Anderson, S. Clarkson, T.I. Joynt, T. S. Weston, B. WilJrin, D. Beese, P. T. Haskins (hon. sec), Professor Yon Haast, and the Very Bey. the Dean. An apology wae received and accepted for the absence of Mr B. Westenra. TheCHAiEJtAH, in opening the proceedings, read the Treasurer's report, which was to the effect that at the meeting of the subscribers held on 10th January, there was .£3OO in the Bank, and an open account of JBISI 12s 6d. The number of subscribers was now 380, who had promised to the amount of £1000. Of that sum .£903 15s 8d had been placed in the Bank; JE3OO on fixed deposit, and .£603 153 8d an open account. There was still tho balance of .£IOO to be subscribed, and this sum the Treasurer hoped to collect during the month. The Chairman then read a letter from Messrs Miles Bros., which stated that Mr George Lawson had been selected as the sculptor to execute work of tho etatue, and that the New Z inland Shipping Company had offered to carry the monument to Lyttelton freight free. The cost of the monument would be JEIOOO. The writers asked further instructions before giving an order for the commencement of the work. The Chaibman thought that the first business would be to pass a resolution instructing Messrs Miles and Co., of Christchurch, to give an order on the firm in London to have the work proceeded with at once. Dr. Yon Haast moved—"That the selection of Mr Lawson as the sculptor of the Moorhouse etatue by Messrs Miles Bros., of London, and the London Committee, be approved of by this Committee. The motion was seconded by Mr Gapbs, and carried unanimously. Mr Andsbson moved and Mr seconded the follonring motion, which was also carried: —"That Messrs Miles and Co. be requested to forward an order for the construction of the etatue, as suggested by Messrs Miles Bros., of London." Mr Wilkin moved, and Mr Esbsb seconded—" That the special thahkb of the subscribers be given to Mr Samuel Clarkson for the valuable services he has rendered to the Committee in collecting and canvassing for subscriptions, inasmuch as it is to his energy the Committee is chiefly indebted for its present position." The Chaibman spoke in high praise of the energy shown and work done by Mr Clarkson. The motion was carried, and Mr Clarkson briefly responded. The Very Bey. the Dean moved, and Mr Wilkin seconded —"That the thanks of the Committee be given to Messrs Miles and Co. and Miles Bros, for their cordial co-operation in promoting the objects of the Committee, and the care that they I have tbken in the selection of the artist/ Mr "Weston expressed himself as being pleased that he should have been invited to take part in the proceedings. He had taken great pleasure and interest in watching the wonderful work which Mr Moorhouse had done for this district. 1 he motion was put and carried. On the motion of the Very Bey. the Dkan, eeconded by Mr Vnm, the Chairman was requested to interview the Domain Board, with a view to obtaining authority for the erection of the statue in j the Domain, and Messrs Ollivier, Eeese, Gapes, Dr. Yon Haast and the Dean were appointed a Committee to inspect and report upon the most suitable site. Mr Joynt made a few remarks, during the course of which he referred to the letter he had written to the Committee, and which he thought had been harshly treated. _ In his letter he had made no proposition; did not intend to give a curtain lecture, and only did what any person who took an interest in the movement would do—he expressed his opinion. As under the circumstances he could do nothing better he would support the resolution, but he was etill of the opinion that the cite was not a suitable one, and felt deeply grieved that the statue was not to be placed in a better position. Votes of thanks to the honorary Secretary and the Chairman terminated tlie proceedings.