THE PIERCE MEMORIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9503, 5 May 1894, Page 6

THE PIERCE MEMORIAL.

Early in September, 1891, some friends of the late Mr. George P. Pierce, who had associated with him in works of charity and public service, agreed to raise a fund for the purpose of erecting to his memory a handsome pulpit in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, of which he was one of the lay founders.

This decision was intimated by letter to many friends and citizens connected with institutions in which Mr. Pierce had been an active worker, and they were invited to take part in the proposed memorial. The response was so favourable that the committee at once caused working plans to be prepared. The design adopted was one by Mr. Percy Holt, which ho estimated could be carried out with the funds at the committeee's disposal. Unfortunately the lowest tender received, was considerably in excess of Mr. Holt's estimate, so it became necessary to modify the design or adopt a new one. At this stage Mr. Holt removed from Auckland to Taranaki. The committee were fortunately able to secure the help, as architect, of Mr. W. H. Skinner, and on his advice is was decided to carry out the original design as far as funds would permit, leaving the completion of the carved work to some future time, when additional means might be forthcoming. The work was then placed for execution in the hands of Messrs. J. B. Langley and Son, Kyber Pass Road, by whom it has now been duly finished and erected in St. Sepulchre's Church, giving complete satisfaction to the committee and to such of the subscribers as have seen it.

The pulpit is, in shape, a heptagon. It is built entirely of New Zealand woods, of which five varieties, rimji, kauri, mangeao, puriri, and totara, are utilised. Sevou pillars of puriri, representing tree-fern stems and fronds, rise from a base-block of rimu inlaid with mangeao. These support arches of totara, and a massive moulding of puriri, over which is an entablature of rimu, on which is carved the inscription : —" George P. Pierce. At rest. Whitsunday, 1891." The floor of the pulpit is of puriri, with inlaid work of other woods. Access to it is gained by a flight of stairs built with solid puriri strings, risers of totara (pierced and panelled), and treads of rimu. The rails and desk are supported by columns of totara, representing tree ferns, the stems of which are ultimately to be carved, and carved fronds are to be added. The whole is surmounted by a handsome canopy, borne upon puriri columns representing nikaa palm stems and fronds, which, with panel work, form the back of the pulpit. The panels in the parapet are to be filled with carved scroll work of clematis, rata, and other forest foliage. A Gothic cresting surrounds the outer edge of the canopy. Even in its uncompleted state, this memorial pulpit seems appropriate to its object, and will appeal to the worshippers at St. Sepulchre's as a constant reminder of the devotion and readiness for all good works which characterised their former friend and coadjutor to whose memory it is erected. It harmonises well with the church structure, and as a work of art reflects great credit, alike upon the designer, the architect, and the builders. We understand that the committee of the fund hope yet to receive contributions sufficient to complete the carving originally intended. A circular letter has been sent to subscribers, inviting them to be present at St Sepulchre's to-morrow at eleven o'clock service, when the pulpit will be used for the first time, the Bishop of the diocese preaching. The offerings made on this occasion will be devoted as usual to general parochial purposes, except thatin order to afford j opportunity for any who may desire to con- ! tribute to the memorial— specially wrapped in paper, either with or without the donor's name, will be handed to the committee of Pierce Memorial Fund. I