WELLINGTON CITY MEMORIAL

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 147, 16 March 1940, Page 8

WELLINGTON CITY MEMORIAL

Look-Out Opened

CEREMONY ON MOUNT VICTORIA

Wellington’s local centennial memorial, the new look-out on Mount Victoria, immediately to the north oi the wireless station, was officially opened yesterday afternoon by the mayor, Mr. Hislop. The view from the new look-out is one of magnificent panorama, embracing the full sweep from the distant Tararuas to the turbulent waters of Cook Strait. The structure, the mayor explained, had been built for the most part with stone from the old Waterloo Bridge is. London, which the Duke of Wellington had opened in 1817. This' bad been, generously given by the London County Council. The look-out had been erected on a commanding site, if it was a windy one, continued the mayor (clinging to his hat). In addition to being a splendid vantage point from which to view the city and its picturesque environs, it was a meinori-.'l to the illustrious Duke of Wellington, after whom the city was named, ami to Edward Gibbon 'Wakefield, who founded 'Wellington. The mayor then pulled aside a blue ensign, revealing two handsome bronze busts of these two men. The busts have been placed on a plinth of concrete projecting at eye level from either side of the northern pier in the look-out. On-the southern pier there is a bronze plate setting forth the purpose of the look-out. Mr. Hislop gave some interesting particulars of the histories of botii men, reciting the Duke of Wellington s many military achievements. “He was no sabre-rattling militarist,” said Mr. Hislop, “but sought with all his power to put down the aggressor in order that peace and sound administration might enlarge the prosperity of the world.” The duke became Prime Minister of England in IS2S. Queen Victoria relied upon his judgment and devotion, being reported to have said on one occasion that “Wellington was not only her bravest subject, but also the wisest and best.” Referring to Wakefield, tli'J mayor said that he it was who persuaded the directors of the New Zealand Company to name the city Wellington instead of Britannia. The bust of the Duke of Wellington had been purchased in London some little time ago. The original was still in the Town Hall, the one in the lookout being a cast from it. That of Edward Gibbon "Wakefield was a replica of the one in the Colonial Office in London.

The look-out was designed by Mr. W. Gray Young, and erected by the Pletcher Construction Company. There is also a geographical distance guide in bronze, surrounding a glass-enclosed map of 'Wellington district. (Pictures on Page 9.)