FESTIVAL OF EMPIRE
rKoax OUR special correspondent. LONDON, November 26. An interesting ceremony took place at the Crystal Palace this week, when the first sod was cut by Sir Aston Webb, 8.A., on the site to be devoted to the great pageant of the "Festival of Empire" next summer, details of which I gave last week. It has been, decided to arrange the ground for the pageant on the identical lines of the old Greek . amphitheatre. The grounds on which the story of old London will be told by 15,000 performers are nearly fifty acres in extent. The grandstand, which is to seat 20,000 persons, is semi-circular in design, and the back part will be covered with purple sail cloth. The Royal bos will nave marble pillars, with a covering of golden tapestry. Sir Aston Webb expressed himself as being charmed vHth the site. "In every respect," he said, "it is perfect. As far as possible we hope to restore fee Palace grounds to the state originally designed by Sir Joseph P'axton. At present there are many such as bandstands, to the vistas. Theae, we hope, will be removed so that the full beauties of the Crystal Palace may be enjoyed by the thousands of visitors next year."
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7020, 7 January 1910, Page 10
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208FESTIVAL OF EMPIRE New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7020, 7 January 1910, Page 10
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