THE WELLINGTON STATUE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10884, 7 February 1901, Page 5

THE WELLINGTON STATUE.

SUBSCRIPTION LISTS TO BE SENT ROUND THE COLONY. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, February 6. His Excellency the Governor, having suggested that the movement for the erectioi. of the Queen Victoria statue ought to be of a national, and not a provincial character, it was. resolved by the Executive Committee to-day that subscription lists should be furnished to the various mayors anc chairmen of local bodies throughout tnS colony. The Mayor reported the receipt of a telegram from the Hon. Mr Ward, containing the following message from the Agent-General: — "Queen's statue.—l believe that £300 C sterling would be sufficient. Suggest that authorise mc to negotiate with Onslosr, Ford, or Thorneycroft. First-class artists as a rule decline to furnish competitive designs. Which do you prefer —sitting or standing?" Mr Warxl asked that he should be advised as to how he should reply. The matter was referred to the General Committee.

A telegram was read from Auckland, stating that the height of the statue there is 7ft 2in, and it stands on a granite pedestal 7ft 3in on two steps (16| inches), made of blue stone.

The Governor forwarded a lettef which he had received, suggesting that the sculpture work should be given to an Auckland artist, on the principal that local talent ought not. to be ignored. His Excellency, while agreeing that, all tilings being equal, men within our own gates shoul-d be first thought of. expressed the hope that the statue would be carried out by cne who weuld do credit to the capital city of the colony.

As a result of a casual talk on the subject of a site for the statue, the general opinion cf those present was that the best site was at the foot of the Queen's wharf, facing the General Post Office. This will certainly be a fine *iie.

At the Executive Committee meeting to-day relative to the Queen's s,tatue, it was decided to send subscription lists to the Government buildings, to give the staffs of the various departments an opportunity of contributing, to the fund; that the various ministers of religion should b* uiktd to devote asxt

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Sunday's collections to the fund; to advertise in the newspapers inviting furthei subscriptions, and to get particulars of the statue to her Majesty which is erected in Sydney. A number of ladies are interesting themselves in the matter, waited oa Lord Ranfurly, with a request that he would nominate the Countess of Ranfurly as patroness of the women's fund. This the Governor agreed to, and placed a suite of rooms in Government House at the disposal of the ladies for holding meetings.