ANZAC SHRINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21921, 3 October 1934, Page 8

ANZAC SHRINE

SYDNEY'S MEMORIAL TO BE OPENED BY THE DUKE [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY, Sept. 22 Visitors to Sydney cannot but be impressed with the massive pile of masonry that stands so prominently in Hyde Park —in the centre of the city—the State's memorial to the men and women of Artzac. This structure, rising to great heights, with statues of war-time figures clinging to its sides, is quite unlike any other building in tho city. In its imposing strength it seems to symbolise the spirit of the nation when the Empire called. It compels admiration, and must for ever remind the generations to come of that strenuous period when the fate of nations was in the balance. Finishing touches are now being placed on the Shrine for the opening ceremony that will be performed by Prince ,Henry as his most important duty when he reaches Sydney. As the scaffolding and litter are removed from the interior, it becomes easier to visualise the aspect that will be presented by this great memorial. On© climbs a marble stairway and steps out on to a broad gallery circling the walls./ Over the balustrade he looks down into the Well of Contemplation, from the depths of which will arise the sculptured group "Sacrifice." Then- the eyes will turn to the magnificent dome, 89i:t. above the pavement. It is aglitter with small golden stars, one for every man and woman who went to the war from New South Wales. There are 120,000 of them, and they sprinkle the dome as the stars do the sky—thickly at the zenith and more sparsely toward the horizon. Four great niches break the wall above the gallery pavement. One is dedicated to each of the four areas that became famous during the war— Gallipoli, France and Belgium, New Guinea and the High Seas, and Egypt and Palestine. In the floor of each niche is set a stone from some distant land of battle; while the names of famous battles are carved on tho walls. For Gallipoli, one reads:—"The Landing, Krithia, Lone Pine, Sari Bair, Hill 60, Evacuation." In this Hall of Memories are set four tall amber windows, whose design is tlw Rising Sun of the A.1.F., with the winged torch of Liberty and the flames of Sacrifice. Thei walls bear four sculptured panels representing thu Navy, Army, Air Force and Army Medical Corps, and behind their bnldar figures the marching dead are shown ir. bold relief. The Red Cross us commemorated ori the design of the doorway of tho Archives Room. Many elements of symbolic design are employed for tho interior, such as the Wings of Time and the Flaming Sword of Sacrifice. Through the north door opens a fine vista—the Pool of Reflections and tho lawns and avenues of the newly-con-structed Hyde Park. Everywhere thero is fashioned marble, and tho mood of the memorial is ccolness and quietude.