CENOTAPH AT MUSEUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20323, 2 August 1929, Page 12

CENOTAPH AT MUSEUM.

THE COURT OF HONOUR.

WORK TO BE COMMENCED.

ADDITIONAL COST OF £6OOO

PUBLIC APPEAL TO BE MADE.

An early siart is likely to be made to complete the much-discussed memorial features of the War Memorial Museum. These include the construction of a court of honour and a cenotaph on the terraces in front t)f the main ontrance.

The appearance of these features in tho original sketch plans and the delay in commencing them, duo to the fact that tho funds raised by public subscription, in tho vicinity of £200,000, were eaten up by the costs incurred in the erection of tho building, have recently been the subject of some controversy. The provision of the court of honour and cenotaph, including tho necessary excavation and levelling, will cost approximately an extra £6OOO.

A public appeal, which would have been made five weeks ago but for tho intervention of tho earthquake, whi<;h imposed heavy demands upon public generosity, will be launched shortly by the War Memorial Committee for the purpose of raising the required £6OOO. It is understood. however, that as a result of the committee's efforts a sufficient sum has already been subscribed to warrant a contract for tho work being let at an early date. Advice of tho committee's intention to proceed with the work was conveyed to the City Council last evening, when formal confirmation was given to arrangements giving the contractor the right of access and permission to include the area of operations in an enclosure to prevent the entry of the public during construction. Tho acting city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, reported that an area of approximately two and a-half acres would have to be lowered an average depth of 2ft. in order to obtain a view of the base of the columns of the museum building from the path in Domain Drive. This would involve the removal of 2230 yds. of topsoil and 4100 yds. of volcanic tuft, and the replacing of 2600 yds. of top-soil. His estimate for this work was £2240, and if it was carried out as an unemployment relief work a subsidy of £962 should he obtained from the Government, leaving £1278 to be found by the council.

On the motion of the Mayor the work outlined by Mr. Tyler was included as an unemployment relief work, and authority was given to apply to the Local Bodies Loans Board for sanction to the raising of a loan.