KING EDWARD MEMORIAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 103, 3 May 1911, Page 10

KING EDWARD MEMORIAL.

SITE IN THE MALL. MR. BERTRAM MACKENNAL'S DESIGN. (From Our Own Correspondent.) ' 'LONDON, 24th March. Mr. Bertram Mackennal, A.R.A.,the Australian sculptor, who is at present commissioned by the New Zealand Government to design the new postage stamps for the Dominion, has been chosen by the King Edward Memorial Committee to design the memorial for the site in the Mall opposite Marlborough House, and Mr. Edwin Lutyens is associated with him as architect for the new path and bridge across th& St. James's Park lake. The committee considered many suggestions and many sites. Finally, they came to a unanimous opinion, in which all expert advice available to them concurred, in favour of what they consider an ideal site in the Ms 11,"immediately opposite Marlborough House, leading to the pathway and the bridge across the ornamental lake in the parlc. The suggestion involved, besides a statue of the King, with suitable accessories, the removal of the present bridge and the substitution of an ornamental and more attractive bridge across the lake. In the design of the bridge a medallion, or medallions, of the late King could be incorporated,' shbwing it to be part of the memorial scheme. The suitability of this site is obvious. The memorial directly faces Marlborough House, where King Edward spent the greater part of his life, and where Queen Alexandra will take up her permanent London residence. MR. MACKENNAL'S IDEA. The choice of Mr. Bertram Mackennal as the artist was unanimous, and his idea, viewed from the Mall, is as follows : "A few steps would lead to a platform bearing the base of the pedestal. This would be simple and massive, about 10ft to 12ft high. On this base and in the centre would be placed a large seated figure of Peace, with appropriate symbols at her feet. I would symbolise the downfall of War, Strife, etc. Thia latter idea, with the figure of Peace, would enable me to illustrate and perpetuate the great aim of King Edward's reign. '"The figure' of Peace would be raised a few feet above the 10ft base. Behind this figure would be a superbase, and oil each side two processional groups advancing towards the central figure. These figures might' be eight or nine in number, as the composition required. They would represent the Arts of Peace. I would make a great • feature of these groups. They would be in the rdund. On this superbase would be erected the centre pedestal, to carry the statue of King Edward VII. in Garter robes. This figure would be about 14ft high. This would take the memorial (as seen from the Mall) to the height of 45ft to SOft. At the back of the pedestal, aud facing St. James's Park, 1 would suggest a figure of Britannia to balance the figure of Peace. From -the base on this side would be a platform, • ending in a •flight of steps, to whatever level is required. These steps and the figure of Britannia would give a dignified and interesting aspect to the memorial when approached from St. James's Park. The monument on this side would rise to about 55ft." There will be a new bridge over the lake and a series of terraces connecting the memorial and the bridge. The committee endorsed, these suggestions. The •estimated cost is £50,000, and the work will take about five yearb to complete.