THE JUBILEE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10863, 12 January 1901, Page 10

THE JUBILEE.

THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE MEMORLA.L.

A meeting of the Canterbury Jubilee Memorial Committee was held yesterday afternoon. Present—Messrs H. F. Wit.ram (chairman). W. Recce (Mayor of Christchurch). B. P. Manhire (Mayor of Sydenham), F. Board (Mayor of Linwood), and Cr. Sorensen. The Chairman apologised for the absence of Mr Gilbert Anderson. He then reported that the sum of £850 3s had been collected for the double purpose of the Jubilee Celebrations and for the Memorial Fund. Promises amounting to £377 6s were outstanding. With receipts from other source?, after payment of expenses, it was anticipated that over £800 would be in hand towards the Memorial.

A letter from the Hon. W. P. Reeves was received, covering a communication from Mr F. J. Williamson, sculptor, of Esher, Surrey, stating that the proposed memorial could be executed and delivered for eighteen hundred guineas (£1890). Mr Wuliamson's estimate is for bronze figure of the Queen (seated), £875; three baa-reliefs*—(l) Canterbury -sending forth her Rough Riders, (2) the Pioneers, (3) the industries which have conduced to the success of the province, 525 guineas; red granite polished pedestal, with bronze tablet, bearing thenames of those who had fallen" in South Africa, with inscription, 400 guineas; total, 1800 guineas.

The height of the figure as seated would be somewhere about 6ft 6in, the base on which it n»sts being from sft to 6ft square. Atr Recce explained that the Auckland Btatu-e had cost £982. cost of erection £164 10*. customs duty (subsequently refunded) £218 Bs, incidental £54 16s; actual total, £1201. It was probable Cl_rk*tcl__rch would obtain a »'fui_d of duty. Aftef consulting man who had seen the sitting statue of her Majesty, he wm inclined to think they ahou'd select the larger size standing figure, to cost £700 without the pedestal and basreliefs. Photographs of a statue, as proposed, were passed round, finding general favour.

In reply to Mr Sorensen, the Chairman said £2000 would not cover the cost. Mr Recce explained that the extra cost of the larger statue was 175 guineas. Mr Sorensen moved that the Finance Committee be recommended to order a statue as suggested by Mr Recce, together with base and reliefs.

In reply to Mr Sorensen, Mr Recce said it would be no use attempting to use local stone: the sculptor recommended a red granite base, which would cost 400 guineas at Home. He thought it would be better to recommend the Committee to order the actual statue at once, leaving over the reliefs till they had more money in hand. If anything would induce the Duke and Duchess of York to visit Christchurch, it would be the unveiling of the statue. Messrs Sorensen and advocated the calling a meeting of t__f General Committee at once, to approve of what was suggested, before further steps were taken. Mr Manhire pointed out that it had gone forth that the statue would be in a sitting position. However, he was not opposing the ordering of the statue if it was desired to expedite matters. After further discussion, it was moved by Mr Sorensen, and agreed to—"That it be a recommendation to the Finance Committee that Mr Williamson's enlarged statue of the Queen (in a standing position), to cost 700 guineas, f.0.b., London, be ordered by cable; that the red granite polished pedestal be ordered by mail, and the bas-reliefs when sufficient funds are available." Mr Board suggested the Grain Agency site as the best, in his opinion. The Chairman and Mr Wigram agreed. Mr Recce said his original idea was the Market square; he recognised the importance, however, of it being placed in the position where it would be seen by mast people. Perhaps it would be as well to take another look at the sites.

Mr Board said the height of the statue would have to be considered in placing it. He should suggest that the matter of site stand over. Agreed to. Accounts as presented were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned.