CANADIAN SENATE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23009, 9 April 1938, Page 17

CANADIAN SENATE

ORIGIN OF THE MACE AN UNSOLVED MYSTERY [from our own correspondent] OTTAWA. March 5 A mystery of Canadian history is the origin of the Senate Mace —a national symbol of authority without which Parliament cannot officially be opened. It is of solid gold, stands nearly 6ft. high, weighs 251b., and in its recorded history has survived a riot and lour fires. Time and research have failed to unfold the origin of this mace. The only clue to the time it was made is the inscription "G 111 It" placed over the Imperial coat-of-arms on the lid of the round urn under the lifesize crown of gold at tho top of the pole-like stem, indicating that_ it was completed during the years 1760-1820 in the reign of George 111. On one side of this jam-jar shaded urn is an embossed crown under which is the symbol of the fleur-de-lis. Another side shows the thistle under a similar crown. A third side has the harp of Wales embossed under the lioyal Crown, and on the fourth side a medallion picturing the Quebec citadel stands alone.

Locked in a cabinet the size of a grandfather's clock, the heavilyengraved emblem of authority stands in the corner of the Senate Speaker's chambers, getting an airing only when it takes a trip to the Red Chamber. The assistant to the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod carries it on his shoulder to the chamber and places it on the long table before the Speaker's chair, where it remains for the duration of the day's sitting. References in the third edition of "Parliamentary Practice and Procedure in the Dominion of Canada," by Sir George John Bourinot, say the mace in use in the Senate belonged to the old Legislative Council in Lower Canada before Confederation.