EMPIRE DAY AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Evening Star, Issue 11896, 26 May 1903, Page 8

EMPIRE DAY AT CHRISTCHURCH.

[From Ocr Special Correspondent.] CHRISTCHURCH, May 26. So far the winter has been wonderfully mild, and the weather for the local celebration of Empire Day savored of March rather than of May. The holiday was only partially observed; nevertheless the unveiling of’ the Victoria Statue, which has been erected partly as a memorial to the late Queen, partly to commemorate the Canterbury troopers who lost their lives in South Africa, and partly as evidence of the province’s jubilee, attracted a large gathering of spectators. The proceedings were commendably short. They began at 2.15, when a small column of volunteers emerged from the drill grounds and marched to Victoria square, and ended shortly after three, when the mayoress unveiled the statue and the National Anthem was played. The statue faces Victoria street, and stands on a high pedestal. Below a grassy mound has been erected, up which steps lead to the base of the pedestal. The figure had been covered with the Royal Standards and round the mound there had been placed a slight barricade of ribbons. It has been found impossible to unveil the memorial in its completeness, owing to delay in the preparation of the bas-reliefs. Tablets have yet to be placed on three sides of the square. One of these will give a list of ali Canterbury men who lost their lives in connection with the South African War. Another tablet will represent the arrival of the pioneers, and a third will commemorate the departure of the Canterbury contingents to South Africa. In the four recesses above the square, which at present shows a front of unsightly brick, there will be symbolic figures representing manufactures and industries, pastoral pursuits, agriculture, and education. These will be placed in position as they arrive. The inscriptions at present on the memorial are: “Victoria. Bom May 24, 1819; died January 22, 1901,” in gold letters; and underneath: “ This stone was laid by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and York. June 22, 1901.”