VISIBLE BY NIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20425, 29 November 1929, Page 15

VISIBLE BY NIGHT.

FLOOD-LIGHTING SYSTEM.

OFFER BY THE POWER BOARD

READY IN FOUR MONTHS.

Darkness will never cloak the War Memorial Museum, for, through the generosity of tho Auckland Electric-Power Board, tho great white building, set on its commanding'hill, will be flood-lighted at night, and thus will be perpetually visible.

The announcement of tlie Power Board's offer was made by Mr. H. E. Vaile, president of the Auckland Institute and Museum, when speaking at the official opening ceremony yesterday. " This is an announcement which must be gratifying to all of us," said Mr. Vaile. "It is tho custom to illuminate such a building as this by night, so that it should never bo out of sight or out of mind, and that is particularly desirable in the case of this building, situated so that it can be seen from many parts at a great distance. Tho Power Board, in addition to a handsome donation, now willing to pay the whole cost of lighting the building from the exterior."

Explaining tho board's offer later, Mr. R. 11. Bartley, the general manager, said that the installation scheme had not yet been completed, but it was hoped to have St in operation in three or four months. Tho board proposed to instal the necessary fittings, but ho presumed some arrangement would be made between the board and tho Institute and Museum for tho payment of tho current necessary for the flood-lighting. The value of the gift is about £IOOO or £I2OO.

FINANCING THE SCHEME

ALL FREE-WILL OFFERINGS.

HISTORY OF THE ENTERPRISE,

CONCLUSION OF GREAT WORK

Congratulations on the fact that the War Memorial Museum had been built entirely by free-will offerings, arid that no adventitious aids, sucli as bazaars or ait unions, had been employed, were extended to citizens by Mr. A. S. Bankart, chairman of the Citizens' War Memorial Committee, in speaking at the official opening ceremony yesterday. Reviewing the history of the enterprise, Mr. Bankart said that the memorable years from 1914 to 1918, full as they were of strife and anxiety, had brought citizens of all classes close together, and had called forth all that was best within them. Peace brought with it other problems, the most prominent of which was the repatriation of the soldiers. Therefore, it was not until 1920 that citizens had been able to put into material form what had been so long in their thoughts, namely, the establishment of a memorial to pcrpetuato for all time the deeds of the men and women who had answered tho call of the Empire and of civilisation itself. Five Years in Construction.

Nine years ago the then Mayor of Auckland, Sir James Gunson, called a public meeting of citizens to consider the memorial proposal, with the result that the museum was decided l upon, which, while being of utilitarian' and cultural value, would embody also significant memorial features. The financial goal was set «at £200,000, and the response was so encouraging that within a year the committee was able to invite designs from architects throughout the British Empire. On September 22, 1922, the jury of award reported that the design of Messrs. Grierson, Aimer and Draflin had been selected from tho 74 submitted. They were appointed architects in January, 1923, and on July 7, 1924, the tender of the Hansford Mills Construction Company, Limited, for £183,654, was accepted.

Delays were occasioned in the selection of a suitable' stone. Finally, stono from Portland, England, was selected. The building was completed in August of this year, having been five years in construction. A great deal of work had been necessary on the grounds and surroundings, and in that respect the committee had received the helpful co-operation of the City Council. The work was not quite completed, but it had reached a stage so that citizens could see that the setting of the museum would not be out of keeping with the building itself. Provision of Cenotaph. "In furtherance of the special war memorial features, the committee decided to obtain the consent of the City Council to the provision of a paved Court of Honour and the erection of a Cenotaph," Mr. Bankarfc continued. "This work has just been completed. "It is fitting to express the gratitude of the committee for assistance given to it in its work. The trustees of the Auckland Savings Bank, with grants totalling £50,000, the Government grant of £37,500, the' City Council with a contribution of £IO,OOO, together with the site, the Auckland Harbour Board and the Auckland Electric-Power Board with grants of £SOOO and £2500 respectively,"and tho Auckland Pacing Club with its donation of over £SOOO, gave a splendid lead to citizens, whose response has been over £93,000. "The judicious investment _of these funds has resulted in the receipt of over £35,000 in interest, which reflects great credit on the work of Mr. V. <T. Lamer, who has acted asjreasurer since the inception of the fund." Years of Difficulties.

"The years have been full of anxieties and difficulties, but' tho committee is at last able to conclude its great work, entrusted to it by the citizens riino years ago. The war memorial takes two forms, the museum building and the Cenotaph, both embodying th 6 same spirit. They are to bo entrusted to two different bodies, the Court of Honour and the Cenotaph to tho City Council and the museum to tho trustees of the Auckland Institute and Museum, who will hold them in trust for the people." Before asking His Excellency to hand over the Court of Honour and Cenotaph to the city, Mr. Bankart asked Archbishop Averill to consecrate the Cenotaph, and an impressive ceremony followed.