MARBLE FROM EUROPE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19111, 21 September 1927, Page 8

MARBLE FROM EUROPE.

MASSEY MEMORIAL

N.Z. STONE NOT SUITABLE.

[THE PRESS SpecUl Serrlc*.]

WELLINGTON.. September 20.

In the House of Representatives today, Mr R. P. Hudson (Motueka) asked the Prime Minister whether there was any truth in the rumour that the Massev Monument was to be erected in marble imported from Italy, and, if so, why "\vero not some of the beautiful stones of tho Dominion being used? . , "Tho Massey Memorial Committee, ' said the Prime Minister in reply, "have retained tho services of a very prominent architect who has at his disposal the advice of another firm of architects, and a very definite recommendation has been made concerning the type of material that will be used. The recommendations go in the direction of definitely favouring a certain imported marble. Certain enquiries, however, are necessary in connexion with the particular material recommended. In the meantime the architects havo l)fon asked to consider a possibility of being able to utilise locaJ materia!. At the moment I should 6ay, from my knowledge of the opinions that havo been expressed, that they do not favour the local material, but rather faivour the material that it is suggested should bo imported for the erection of the monument. There are, however, one or' two points that have cropped up, and it is necessary to make further enquiries in regard to the type of material that has so far been recommended."

Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt): Keep the money in the family. Tho Prime Minister: Yes, if we possibly can. It is understood that New Zealand marble is not suited for monuments, as the stone turns dark owing to weathering;. One of the Greoian marbles is said to be the best for monumental miiposes."