FOUNDATION STONES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22539, 2 October 1936, Page 15

FOUNDATION STONES

Sir, —May I draw the attention of the architects .of New Zealand to a practice which belittles us in the eyes of overseas visitors. I refer to the unsightly and much-lettered foundationstones of many memorials and public buildings in New Zealand. When beautiful a.ul costly buildings and memorials are erected, why should a lot of small people have their names engraved in marble on the front of these edifices. I know of a public memorial with a foundation-stone which holds the whole memorial up to ridicule. Besides the names of the Mayor and a number of officials, the builder's name is cut in the marble block, also the name of a firm of architects. Even the tombstone builder who cut the letters in the foundation-stone has engraved his name in a corner of the marble. It is a most objectionable practice and one which the Institute of Architects could properly take steps to prevent. Visitors to Sydney are impressed with the beautiful war memorial in the Domain, and I was pleased to see that no names are allowed upon this impressive memorial. There are two huge cornerstones suitably engraved. Upon one it states that, in the presence of the people of Sydney, "this stono was laid by a soldier," and upon tho other it states that, in the presence of the people of Sydney, "this stone was laid by a citizen." No common names upon this wonderful and artistic conception. We are too late to save the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum from this objectionable practice. Tho stone is already in position, crowded with names which have no right on the front of such a noble building. However, the architects of New Zealand have it in their power to restrict this practice and save the buildings and memorials of tho immediate future. E. C. Hayton, J.P.