WAR MEMORIAL IN POSITION

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2298, 17 November 1925, Page 6

WAR MEMORIAL IN POSITION

A BKAUTJLFUIi BRONZE FIGURE. Every day for weeks past interested spectators have watched the progress of Palmerston’s war memorial, and yesterday afternoon quite a crowd gathered to see the beautiful bronze figure, which is the crowning glory of the memorial, hauled to its lofty pedestal. Standing 7ft Bin'in height, with another 3ft for the staff which she holds, this lovely piece of statuary drew many admiring ex. clamatlons from on-lookers while awaiting her brief joruney from the ground to the pedestal. The weight of the figure is 12 cwt., and the bigcrane was fully taxed to swing it into place. Once in position, and catching the light of the afternoon sun, the beauti. ful modelling of the statue w r as finely brought out. The bronze is grey green, an unusual and really very beautiful shade, which will tone in splendidly with the varied tints of green to be found in the Square.

The next important job is to place the bronze bas.reliefs in position. From the artist’s standpoint these are almost as important as the figure itself..

The Borough Council is losing no time in removing the unsightly drlnkng fountain which at present blocks the view of the memorial, and tenders are now being called for its removal. The completed design provides for a lawm sloping right up to the top of the brickwork. This ,of course, cannot be completed until the railway is shifted, but it is . expected that in front of the memorial [the scheme will be partially proceeded with as soon as possible, so that a clear view may be obtained, and visitors may inspect the work at close quarters.