THE CATHEDRAL

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21081, 5 February 1934, Page 3

THE CATHEDRAL

MEMORIALS TO MANY EARLY SETTLERS

Interesting details of some of the memorials to be seen in the interior of Christchurch Cathedral are given in the "Church News" of February, in an article which is one of a series describing the Cathedral. The western porch, it is stated, was desiyncd by Mr Mountfort, and is in memory of Alfred Creyke, who came to Canterbury in 1851. The carved panel in the tympanum over the doorway of the nave represents Our Lord in the act of blessing: this panel suffered a slight deterioration from salt water, when it was sent out from England. A brass tablet in the north wall of the porch is to Edward Jollie, one of the earliest pioneers in New Zealand, and under this is a tablet in memory of his grandson, who was killed in the Great War. The stonework of fhe western doorway was the gift of the Cathedral Guild.

Clerk Honoured. Turning to the left on entering the Cathedral, the first pnnel is to the memory of Charles Merton, who came out in 1856, and was the first senior lay clerk. The window at the end of the north aisle was erected in 1882 to the memory of Joseph Hawdon, who was an early landowner and member of the Legislative Council; there is also a tablet to Sarah Hawdon. By the north aisle, in the first bay in the north wall, is a tablet which tells that the tower and spire were erected in memory of George Rhodes, who came to New Zealand in 1847. His lamily has given the tower, spire, bells, and a memorial window. The font is made of Castle Hill stone, and round the centre pillar are four small columns, made of stono from the Hoon Hay quarry. The font was given by Dean Stanley in memory of his brother. Captain Stanley, R.N., who, in 1840, was sent to Akaroa to hold a Court of Justice, "as evidence of the intention to exercise British sovereign rights." The font cover, which weighs two hundredweight, is in memory of Francis Stedman, who died in 1891, and was a valued lay reader. The window between the tower and the north porch is in memory of Sir Thomas Tancred. He came to New Zealand in 1850, and besides being a member of Parliament and of the Provincial Council, also became Chancellor of the New Zealand University. Under this window is a tablet, the gift of the Cathedral Guild in 1835, and flanking the north door is another tablet, given by the Cathedral Union. The rose window over the west door is 25 feet in diameter; the stone

work was given by the Cathedral Guild and the stained glass by Mr and Mrs L. Harper. Below are seven panels, of Which two only are filled: one was given by Mrs Bealey. + Jie wife of a prominent settler, and the other by the Hon. Spencer Lyttelton, son of the chairman of the Canterbury Association.