THE LATE MR, SEDDON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13702, 19 March 1908, Page 5

THE LATE MR, SEDDON.

PERPETUATING HIS MEMORY.

TWO MARBLE BUSTS.

[BY. TJiHiGRArJC.OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Wednesday. The bust of the late- Premier, executed by Mr. Nelson lllingworth, to the order of the Government, has arrived in Wellington, and will shortly be on public view. The modern sculptor does not generally chip the features of his subject from the obdurate marble. His finger shapes the growing face in the soft clay, impressing by subtle touches the expression of the original. The clay bust is put into plaster, and the plaster likeness is put into marble by purely mechanical means. This is done by an instrument worked by electric power. One part traverses every lino and feature of the plaster bust, while another part cleaves the same result with mathematical exactness from the block of marble. The art of the sculptor is not lost; just so much art as he conveys into the plaster must be unfailingly reproduced in the finer mediums. Mr. Illingworth, 'following this method of work, sent his plaster bust to Italy, whence its marble simile has just been received. If Mr. lllingworth had done no other work this bust would stamp him as a genuine artist. One is impressed less by the fidelity with which the actual features of the late Mr. Seddon have been reproduced than with the suggestion of character and dominance which lie has convoyed into the work. The bust is mounted on a pedestal of dark green granite bearing the one word " Seddon." A second bust of Mr. Seddon, also executed to the order of the Government, has lately arrived in Wellington, and is at present in the Government Buildings awaiting Cabinet inspection and approval. Mr. Illingworth was given his commission as an artist of established reputation. Mr. C. Kidson, of Christchurch, was entrusted with a similar commission as a New Zealand artist who is fast establishing a reputation. Mr. Kidson's bust, which is also in marble, is a very faithful likeness of the late Premier, and is an achievement fully worthy of its author's past record. At present Mr. Kidson's bust is not mounted. The members of the Cabinet have not yet officially viewed either bust. MEMORIAL AT ONEHUNGA. Arrangements are being made for the construction of the Seddon memorial at the junction of six roads, near the Royal Oak, Onehunga, and it is anticipated that the work will be started some time before Easter.