TOTEM POLE FOR CITY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29384, 10 December 1960, Page 4

TOTEM POLE FOR CITY

Bronze Plaque From U.S.

A handsome bronze plaque has arrived by air in Christchurch to mark the totem pole which is being erected in Little Hagley Park. The totem pole is a gift from Portland. Oregon, in appreciation of the hospitality shown by Christchurch to men ot the United States Air Force and Navy on their way to and from Antarctic operations. An unveiling ceremony will be attended by a party of official visitors from the United States, but so far the City Council has no firm advice of their date of arrival. A cablegram has been sent asking for a suggested date. The 3ft by 2ft plaque exceeds in size and workmanship anything the council had expected, and the reserves department is. now preparing it for mounting at the base of the totem pole.

Surmounted by a Globemaster in bas relief, the plaque records the purpose of the gift and says that the 30ft pole was carved by Chief Lelooska, a distinguished Indian artist—he will visit Christchurch for the ceremony—during the Oregon centennial exposition in August, 1959. It is an authentic work of primitive American Indian art. and a duplicate stands in Portland.

Each traditional figure tells a story, the plaque says. Topping the pole, with 12ft wings, is the thunderbird, the traditional god of the storm, honouring MajorGeneral Chester E. McCarty, of the Tactical Command, and the other airmen who made possible the - establishment of the ScottAmundsen base at the South Pole. A killer whale, king of the sea. honours Rear-Admiral George J. Dufek, the commander of the Antarctic forces and “the mariners who opened the sea lanes to the Antarctic.’* An eagle, king of the air, is the official symbol of the United States, a grizzly bear honours Oregon’s pioneers, and the beaver at the base of the pole is the state’s official animal, the plaque says.

The plaque has been presented by the Oregon Centennial Commission and the Portland Geological Society.