MEMORIAL GATEWAY

Evening Star, Issue 18335, 24 July 1923, Page 6

MEMORIAL GATEWAY

HIGH" - SCHOOL OLD BOYS IN GREAT WAR. MASSIVE AND SPLENDID STRUCTURE. The memorial arch which has been erected over tho main gateway of the Otago Boys’ High School is a titling tribute to the deeds of nearly 200 old boys of the school who were killed or who died in tho Great War of 1914-19. Their names have been inscribed in enduring form in letters of bronze, and will catch the eyes of the thousands of boys who will attend the school in vea.vs to come.

The arch, which is now almost completed, is a massive and imposing structure of Oarnaru stone and bluestone. Its total height is 26ft, and the height of the archway opening is 15ft 9in. The width is 12ft 6in, and the depth of tho arch Bft 6iu. Inside the arch there are two cast bronze plates on each side with tho names of the old boys who made the supreme, sacrifice. Tho total number of names is 183. The four plates on which theso names are inscribed are unique in workmanship in Now Zealand, Messrs A. and T. Burt having made them of cast bronze. Tho names, which stand out prominently in letters of gold, are arranged in alphabetical order. On each side of the arch, cut in stone, is tho motto: “ Dulce et decorum cst pro patria mori,” and on the insides are inscribed the words: “Erected by the old boys of the school to our fallen comrades.” At tho corners on each side niches have been provided in which later will bo placed bronze figures representing the different aims of the service. These figures, which will bo works of art, are being imported. A light will bo placed in (bo centre, inside the top of tho arch, and cast-iron gates, which will fold up so as not to obscure a, view of the bronze plates, will be erected. The whole effect is most striking, and everyone who Ims been connected with the .scheme is to bo most heartily congratulated upon the result.

The total cost of the arch, which has been subscribed by old boys of the school, is about £I,OOO. The 'architects were Messrs Coombs and White, and the contractor Mr W. M‘Leilan. It is interesting to note that old boys have been responsible for a largo part of the actual erection of the memorial. For instance, of the firm of Messrs A. and T. Burt, who constructed the brass plates for the names, six members of the family are old boys, these being William C. Burt, Alex. Burt, Dr David Burt, Ross Burt, Jock R. Burt, and T. R. Burt.

The ceremony of unveiling the arch was to have been performed by the GovernorGeneral (Viscount Jellicoe), but His Excellency is unfortunately unable to be present. It will now be carried out by Sir Francis Dillon 8011, who was the second dux of the school, and whoso presence

will ho particularly fitting. _The. ceromonv, which takes place at 2.00 ]),in. on August 3, will be part of the programme arranged for the celebration of the diamond jubilee of the school. Another splendid form of memorial, which will be easily the finest of its kind in the country, will he eroded on the walls at tho side of the doors giving entrance to the main hall of the school. No fewer than twenty brass plates, with the names of all old hoys who wont to tho war. are to he set in Tho preparation of those plates, which uHcasim? 3ft by 2ft. is the largest job of the kind ever done in Now Zealand. Messrs iMollcr and Sons, a member of which firm is aVo an old boy, wore entrasted with this work. Tho plates will bo enclosed in raised panels, five in each of four panels, two panels on each side of the doorway. Two larger plates will be erected on each side hearing the inscription : “ A record of the old bovs of the fchnol who served in the Great War, 1914-19.” Tho brass plates were specially imported from England for tho job. which has taken about throe months, and is just about completed. An idea of the heavy nature of the work will he obtained when it is mentioned that the plates hold about 1.200 names of over fen thousand letters, each letter being threequarters of an inch high. The names of those killed are marked bv a star, and the honors won by old boys are also shown. The cost of the brass plates is about £3OO. Both memorials will be worthy and enduring ones, and a credit to those who have been working so hard for their completion. Mr E. Webster, a well-known old hoy of the school, has been one, of the most, hard-working throughout tire campaign to raise funds, this being started shortly after the close of the, war, A compel if ion for designs for the arch was held, anil, was won bv Messrs, Coombs and White.