QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL STATUE

Otago Witness, Issue 2663, 29 March 1905, Page 33

QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL STATUE

THE UNVEILING CEREMONY.

The fifty-seventh anniversary of the settlement of Otago, which was celebrated on j Thursday, was selected as a fitting ' occasion on which to hold the J public function of unveii-ng the \ artistic and imposing statue of her j late Majesty Queen Victoria, which now J graces the north-western face of Victoria I Gardens. Her late Majesty died on the • morning of January 22, 1901, and shortly after her death a number of loyal citizens set themselves the task of perpetuating in some permanent way the memory of a monarch who, during her long reign, lived in the hearts of her subjects by the influence of her virtues as a monarch and her goodness as a woman. A number of forms were suggested which the memorial should take — a free public library, an art gallery, and award in the Hospital being included, — and it was ultimately decided that a statue of the late Queen would be the most fitting tribute to her memory. .This preliminary having been settled, a fund was opened, to which liberal and handsome donations were contributed by the principal business and private citizens, and a sufficient sum was , raised in the course of a few months to , justify the committee in charge in takingthe practical steps which have led up to j the present important addition which has j been added to the statues already in the ! city. |

The statue of her late Majesty, a representation of which is given above, is Bft 6in in height, of white marble, and stands on a ba-seinent and pedestal of 12ft, the total height being about 20ft. The appearance of the statue is considerably enhanced by the bronze figures — "Justice" and "Wisdom " — on the southern and northern sides, and also by the bronze tablet in front, the whole giving 1 an effect not possessed by any such work hitherto erected in the city. The total cost of the statue, basement, pedestal, etc., is a little over £3000, and of this sum about £250 is yet required to be made up. The sum of £500, paid for duty, which the Executive Committee has met in the meantime out of its own private pocket, is not included in the total given, bufc a promise has been made by the Premier that the amount will be refunded. The foundation stone was laid by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales being- also present, on June 27, 1901, and considerable time was afterwards occupied by the sculptor in perfecting and executing what is undoubtedly one of the finest works of art in the city.

The ceremony of laying the foundation I stone on the date abovementioned was wit- ' nessed by one of the largest gatherings that has ever assembled in Dunedin, and at Thursday's function although the gathering of the populace was not comparable to that at the previous ceremony, thei"e were probably not less than 10,000 persons present. The unveiling ceremony was a very satisfactory and successful function, and the Executive Committee deserves credit for its complete arrangements. A large amount of bunting was displayed from the flagpole in the adjoining gardens, and the statue was draped in a Union Jack, and a Union Jack , was also, hoisted, from the top of the flag- j

pole. At 10 a.m. the Volunteers and Volunteer Cadets lined tho strcetway on the south-western side of the covered statue, and from that hour onwards the people began to assemble, and when the formal ceremony began the crowd extended from the junction of Dowling and High streets to the Dr Stuart Statue in Lower Rattray street. Seats were provided for the Governor, the Executive Committee, and others on a raised platform jn front of the statue, and these were occupied by his Excellency Lord Plunket, his aide-de-camp (the Hon. Mr Bingham), Sir Henry Miller, the Hons. A. Pitt and T. Fergus, Messrs F. W. Petrie, T. Scott, J. Hazlett, R. T. Wheeler, D. E. Theomin, A. Bathgate, R. Glendining, D. M'Pherson, and the Primate (Dr Nevill). The inner circle of forms and seats at the base of the statue was occupied by the Deputy-mayor (Mr T. Scott) and city councillors, members of the L T pper and Lower Houses of Parliament, magistrate I',1 ', foreign Consuls, members of the General Committee, and subscribers to the fund. The unveiling and decorative arrangements were plaoad in the hands of Mr J. F. Kirby, of the Union Steam Ship Company, and were carried out in a first-class manner, the bunting being so arranged as to form the code, "We honour the Queen." The Garrison Band, under Bandmaster George, was in attendance, and played the appropriate music arranged for the occasion.

Punctually at 10.30, his Excellency, accompanied by the Hon. Moyra Plunkct and his aide-de-camp, drove up to the Triangle, where he was formally met and welcomed by the chairman of the Executive Committee, and escorted to a scat on the platform, the Union Jack on the flagpole meantime giving place to tho Royal Ensign, and the band relaying- a verse of " God eavo ths King."

THE CEREMONY

Sir Henry Miller, as chairman of the General Committee, was the first speaker, and it fell to him to request his Excellency to unveil the statue on behalf of the «übsoribers. Sir Henry spoke as follows : — Your Excellency, — On behalf of the Queen Victoria Memorial Statue Committee I have now the honour to request your Excellency to unveil the statue of her late Majesty Queen Victoria of glorious memory. The foundation «tone \va<9 laid by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales being also present, on the 27th of June, 1901. It was the last of the many ceremonies in which his Royal Highness took part in New Zealand. His complete sympathy with the proceedii n &s % and the impressive address which he delivered on that occasion, will ne-ver be forgotten, and will cause the name of his Royal Highness to be always associated with the statue. Nearly four years have elapsed since the foundation ceremony, but it must be remembered that a work of art such as this cannot be hurriedly executed. The work of the sculptor, like that of the poet, is not ooiitinuoti-s, and some additional delay was caueed By the rejection of two Mocks of marble, which were found to be of imperfect quality. The committee entrusted the selection of tho sculptor to the Hon. Richard Oliver, Mr Ewen, Mr Wolff Harris, Mr George Gray Russell, and Mr Ro<43, old New Zealand colonists in England, and they were fortunate in securing the services of Mr Herbert Hampton, a sculptor whose name stands in the foremost rank of artiste. Mr Hampton has e*e-

cutod several Queen's memorial statues — one for Lancaster, presented to that town by Lord A<=hton, at a cost of £10,000; also one for Ipswich, and others for South Africa and India ; also a statue of Lord Aberdare, for Merthyr, and one of our Mr Rolleston for Christen urcli. He has also been chosen to d-e^igfii a memorial statue of the late Lord Salisbury to be placed by the nation m Westminster Abbey. A life-size statue of tho Saviour, which is universally admired, together with other pieces by Mr Hampton, are exhibited in the Royal Academy. I may mention that the pedestal is of local bluestone, in accordance with the plans supplied by Mr Hampton. The two relief figures, representing "Wisdom and Justice, add greatly to the artistic value of the design. Her Majesty is represented at the period of her life be>jt known to New Zealand colonists who cam© 10 this «ountry 30 or 40 years p.go. It is a happy augury that we are able to celebrate this interesting ceremony on the fift3*-seventh anniversary of the founding of the Province of Otago. On this day 57 years ago the first ship (tho John Wickliffe) arrived in Port Chalmers, carrying Captain Cargill, resident agent of the New Zealand Company, ant) leader of tho Otago Settlement. The Philip Laing, which left Home at- the same time, but did not arrive till later, brought the Rev. Thomas Burns. T'ho names of both these gentlemen are familiar household words. One cannot but reflect how gratifying the ceremony at which we are assisting would have been to them could they have lived to the present time. The committee rejoictvs to think that its efforts have been successful ; that the City of Dunedin ™ ill be provided with a splendid work of art, which will be an ornament to the city worthy of perpetuating th« memory of our great Queen, who, during her wonderful reign of fcearly 64 years, was reg-arded by all her subjects wit'i the utmost loyalty and affection ; whose wise conduct, whose sympathy with her people, and far-reaching influence for good will ever be cherished and remembered in the future history of the Empire a-, a lasting- benefit to the nation. — (Applause.)

His Excellencj- then stepped forward and performed the ceremony of unveiling the statue, while ihe bane? pla3 - ed a patriotic strain.

Hjs Excellency then addressed those present in the following terms: — Sir Henry Miller, Ladies, and Gentlemen, — It has been my privilege within the last few month* to take part in similar ceremonies, each ono f-mphasiping New Zealand's loyalty to the Throne and her pride in the place she has taken in the British Empire. At Auckland I had the honour of unveiling a statu» of Sir George Grey, one of the late Queen Victoria's great public servants; whilst at Oamaru and at Timaru I unveiled memorials to those of the New Zealand Volunteers who had served her late Majesty even unto death. And now, in the natural sequence of events, I havebeen invited by you to take part in honouring her for whom the Empire-builder loved to labour, and for whom the soldier died. I need hardly toll you I consider it the mo^t honourable duty the representative of the Crown could be called upon to perform to unveil a statue to the greatest Queen England ever had. — (Applause.) I am vpi-y glad to be able to congratulate Dunodin upon having a statue which will indeed be a real ornament to your dignified city. Ladies and gentlemen, we improvident Irishmen are only too ready to insinuate that the Scotchman is inclined to rigorous economy, but I think Dunedin on the pre=ont occasion has clearly shgwn that when she was raising a monument to the Queen she did it in no parsimonious spiiih On the contraiy, it is to the energy and good taste of your committee, and to the generosity of the subscribers, that you have not only a lifelike representation of her late Majesty, but you have a monument which is a credit to the- sculptor who foimed it and worthy of thp imperishable name which it bear«.. — (Applause.) And, men and women of Dunodin, when you teach your children to look upon this statue of our £>reate»t Queen, when you teach them to l°ok upon ifc as a symbol of our united

Empire and our united Imperialism, 1 would ask you to teach them to look upon it as the emblem of that lonely widowed lady whose reign, whoso power, whose rule were in the hearts of her English people. I wou^d afeo ask you to teach your children that this was the Queen who showed such a splendid example- of family life, in her happy home at Balmoral among her devoted Scotch subjects. — (Applause.) And if I am speaking to any Irish people here, I would a^,k them to tell their childien that the la^t public laborious act of her late Majesty was to g - o on a journey to the *' ould sod." — (Applause.) I congratulate you aaain upon tln'« handsome statue," and upon the spiiit which has caused its erection, and I would ask you to allow me to finish these remarks by quoting the words of the late Lord Dufferin in speaking on a similar occasion, when unveiling the statue of the Queen in Canada. It wa« a splendid summing up of her Majesty's virtue. He said, after thanking the people, as I thank you for the reception you have given me here to-day: "I feel I can make no better return than by saying that, in the discharge of my office in this country, it is my desire and hope to follow, at however humble a distance, the example of that beloved Sovereign who during a long reign faithfully trod in the paths of the British Constitution, and never once failed in herduty to her Crown, her Ministers, hey Parliament, or her people." — (Applause.) The band then struck up " Rule Britannia."

The Hon. Colonel Pitt, the next speaker, said he felt highly privileged in being thero that day as representing the Ministry in thif country to take part in the splendid function of unveiling the monument to their late Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, and at tne outset he telt he must compliment the citizens of Dunedin on the splendid, attendance that day, which showed how deeply her late Majesty lived in the heaits of the people in this part of the colony. He- thought it could be fairly claimed that the inhabitants of ihe colony of New Zealand were a loyal people, and that in no part, of the Empire were there people who were more loyal and dutiful subjects of the Sovereign. Tho people of New Zealand were especially identified with -the reign of Queen Victoria, and if he remembered rightly it was in the year that she ascended tho throne that this colony was practically founded, and since that time they had shared in all the advantages and blessings that had flowed from her reign — not in the matter of art and science only, but also in all the political and liberal privileges which they enjoyed. He supposed there were very few but were acquainted with all the events that had led to the development of the British Empire during her late Majesry's reign, of the deeds that had won the Empire, and of the- vast development • that had taken place, so it was quite unnecessary for him, especially after the remarks o£ the previous speakers, to refer io that in d&taii; but he would just call attention to the vast progress that had been made by the colonies during the reign of ths late* Queen Victoria. The important position which the colonies now occupied as a portion of the British Empire was due in N a. great measure to the beneficent reign of her Majesty and to the government during th&f. reign. — (Applause.) He desired to congratulate the citizens of Dunedin in that ihe./ had erected so splendid a memorial to hf r late Majesty In the other centres say j Wellington, similar statues were now completed, and that for Wellington would shortly be completed. These statues, he was sure, were unnecessary as a reminder of the qualities of their late beloved Queen, whose virtues were implanted in the heart'! of those who were but lately her subjects ; but it had been a custom of considerable antiquity that those illustrious in lii'e should after death be honoured by such statues, and no one more richly deserved, were it necessary, to have her memory thus perpetuated than their late Queen-Empress. (Applause.) This statue would, he felt sure, be received as testimony of the deep loyalty and affection of the people of Dunedin towards the late Queen. Sir Henry Miller had called attention to the splendid figures at_ the base of the statue, representing Wisdom and Justice ; aud surely no more appropriate figures could have been placed there, for wisdom and justice were the most significant points of her Majesty's reign. He further desired to congratulate the people of Otago on having reached th« fifty-seventh anniversary of the settlement of this portion of the colony. He was here himself in 1661, and the contrast between what was then to be ae&n and what was now to be. seen bore testimony to the zeal, determination, enterprise, and progressive temperament of those that bore the heat and burden of the day in developing the great and varied resources of this part o! the colony. When it was remembered that this beautiful city, with all the advantages ie enjoyed, waa the product of something less, perhaps, than 50 years, it was almost impossible to say what would be realised in another half-century. conclusion, he trusted that the erection of this statue would serve not only as evidence of the desire of ths people of Dunedin to do honour to ths memory of their late Queen, but also_ as a desire to encourage all that was artistic, all that was educational, and all that might s. ft rve to promote the best interests and welfare of the whole community. — (ApplauseJ

Mr Bathgate, chairman of the Executive Committee, then came forward. He said : Your Exoellency, Ladies and Gentlemen, — 1 have a pleasing duty to perform, and one which fortunately will not take long tc accomplish. It devolves on me, as chairman of the Executive Committee, to deliver, on behalf of the subscribers throughout Otago, this boautiful statue which has just been unveiled by his Excellency the Governor into the custody of his Worship tho Mayor and the councillors of the Cny o£ Dunedin. In asking you gentlemen to> accept this as a sacred tru«t. I feel that it; needs no words of mine to induce you andt your sticeossors in office to guard it faithfully and well; but I may be permitted! to say that we ask you to do so, not merely because in itself it is a thing of beauty and an ornament to our fair city, ror yet because of its educational value as a product of tho highest uvi, nor -even only because it has be-o'i raised in affectionate remembrance o£ that mobt gracious Sovereign Lady Queer* Victoria, tlfc best Queen who ever sat upon a throne, but also because in the days to come, far down the river of years, when, those of us who still cherish fond memories of the dear Old Lands across the =ea have all passed away, and when the inhabitants of this country shall have bc-en natne-bom for genrrjtioiis, th's .sfatuc. we tiust. shj. l ! still stuiil, h->aiino silent, yoi eloquent, tei-tucnony to the oneness of the great and 4

glorious Empire to which it is our proud privilege to belong. I now, Cr Scott, through you commit this statue of her late ■Majesty Queen Victoria into the keeping of the Mayor and Council of the City of Dunedin. — (Applause.) Cr Scott said he was in the unfortunate position of being a substitute that day. He ■would read a telegram received from" his /Worship the Mayor, which was as follows: "Extremely sorry circumstances prevent my feeing present at the unveiling. Heartily jcongratulale you and the committee on your completed task. On behalf of the citizens I .tender our best thanks, and trust the function will be an entire success. — Yours sincerely, T. It. Chbistie." He might also read another telegram put into his hand, and one that showed the feeling still held iby people who had lived the best part of their life in Otago and had now removed to another part of the colony. This read: "On this, Otago's anniversary day, pray accept my good wishes for Otago and all its people.— Robeet Stot/t." — {Applause.) 'He had great pleasure, on behalf of the City Council, in accepting the trust that had how been imposed on them by the presentation of this statue. It was fitting that this statue, representing their " lat-e gracious Queen, should have so prominent a place in the city. It would be a monument not only ?if art" and taste, but would stand to show he work that had been done in this country nnder the late Queen's reign. The memory of her late Majesty would for ever live in the- memories of those who would come after them. He could only speak on behalf of the council, and say that it would religiously guard this statue and hand it down to future generations in as perfect a condition as possible for the guardians of it to to do. He n.gain thanked the committee for the noble work they had done in placing tEe statue there^ ejzd in handing it over to fch-e citizens — (Applause.) The Hon. T. Fergus said that by an emission a. motion had been left out of the programme, and at the last moment he had been requested to step into the breach and propose it, though he would sooner have sat quietly listening to the other speakers. He went on to refer to the fact that that day was not only the anniversary of the province, but was also the anniversary of the publication of a document informing the governors and lieutenant-governors of adjacent colonies in Australia that earthquakes had ceased in the province of New Munster, and that they might come here safely henceforth. The Duke of York, he continued, who would in the course of time be King of England and Emperor of India, had done us the honour of laying the foundation stone of this statue, and now his Excellency had come to unveil the statue itself, and he proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Lord Plunket, and assured him that the citizens of Dunedin would be always glad to see him at any public function in Otago or should he come here as a casual visitor. — (Applause.)

The vote was carried with three cheera heartily given for his Excellency. ,t, t His Excellency, in acknowledging the vote, paid: — Mr Fergus, Ladies and Gentlemen, — I thank you very much for the way in which you have thanked me for coming here- to-day. I can assure you it was no inconvenience at all, and to have the honour of performing the ceremony I have performed to-day I woul<3 only too cheerfully travel half a dozen times up and down New Zealand. I must say one word more. and that is that Mr Fergus has given Dunedin away. I was entirely unaware you had ever any earthquakes here; the only thing I over heard of in Dunedin in the nature of an earthquake was the - arrival of the "new iniquity."-^(Applause and laughter.) The band then struck up " God save the King," and the function terminated, his Excellency, accompanied by Colonel Robin, inspecting the "Volunteers before driving off.

PARADE STATE

The Volunteer turn-out was as under — Colon-el Robin, C.8., in command ; district rtafi — Brigade-surgeon Lieutenant-colonel de Lautour, P.M.0., Major Beal, Staff-ser-geant-majors Towler, Taylor, and Cardale. Brigade troops : Lie-ute'nant-colonel Allen commanding, Captain Strong adjutant. Garrison Band — 1 lieutenant, 2 , sergeants, 2 corporals, 20 bandsmen, — total^ 25 ; No. S Company Garrison Artillery — 1 captain, 4lieutenants, 2 sergeant-majors, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, 1 bugler, 40 rank find file, — total, 56 ; B Battery — 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 10 gunners, — total, 12 ; Dunedin Engineers — 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 3 sergeants, 2 corporals, 2 buglers, 27 rank and file, — total, 36; Dunedin Bearer Corps — 1 colour-sergeant, 1 sergeant, 2 corporals, 20 rank and -file,— total, 24. Total brigade troops, 155. First Infantry Battalion : Major Myers * commanding, Captain Sfconehain adjutant, Hieutenant Moncrieff quartermaster, 2 ser-geant-majors. Dunedin City Guards — 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals. 35 rank and file, — total, 46. North Dunedin Rifles — 1 captain, 1 lieute-nant, 3 sergeants. 4 corporals, 1 bugler, 39 rank and file,— total, 49. Dunedin Highland Rifles— 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, 1 bugler, 46 rank and file., — total, FS; Dunedin City Rifles— l captain, 2 lieutenants, 4 Gergeante, 4 corporals, 1 bugler, 40 rank and file, — total, 52. Dunedin Rifles — 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 3 eergeants, 2 corporals. 1 bugler, 35 rank and file, — total, 44. Wakari Rifles — 1 captain, 1 lieutenant. 3 sergeants, 2 corporals. 1 bugler, 26 rank and file,— totaL 34.

Caversham Rifles — 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 3 sergeants. 3 corporals, 1 bugler. 30 rank and file. — total, 39. Dunedin Cycle Corps — 1 lieutenant, 2 sergeants, 1 corporal, 1 bugler, 14 rank and file, — total. 19- Total for battalion, 345.

. First Battalion Defence Cadets, Captain M'Culloch commanding : — No. 1 Company Dunedin High School Cadets — 1 captain. 2 lieutenants, 60 rank and file, — total , 63. Dunedin Engineer Cadets — 1 lieutenant, 23 rank and file, — total. 24. Caversham Cadets — 1 lieutenant, 17 rank and file, — total, 18. No. 2 Company Dunedin High School Cadets — 1 oaptain, 2 lieutenants, 57 rank and file, — total. 60. Christian Brothers" School Cadets — 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 55 rank and file,— total, 58. Total Defence Cadets, 223.

Public School Cade-ts, Major Murray commanding. — First Battalion, Captain M'Laren in com nand : Union Street School — 1 captain, 1 colour-sergeant, 3 sergeants, 4 corporals, 1 bugler, 27 rank and file, — total, 37. North-East Valley No. 1 Company — 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 colouresrgeant, 3 sergeants, 2 buglers, 34 rank and file,— total, 43. Albany Street School— l captain, 2 lieutenants, 4 sergeants, 1 bugler, 38 rank and file, — total. 46. George Street School No. 1 Company — 1 captain 2 lieutenants, 4 sergeants, 2 buglers, 38 rank and file,— total, 47. George Street School No. 2 Company — 1 captain, 1 colour-sergeant, 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, 32 rank and file, — total, 33. North-East Valley No. 2 Company — 1 captain, 1 bugler, 33 rank and file,— total, 35. Total for No. 1 Battalion, 244. Second Battalion, Major Smith in command, Captain Fitzgerald adjutant: — Arthur Street School No. 2 Company— 2 officers, 56 rank and file, — total, 58. Kaikorai School (two companies)— 3 officers, 96 rank and file, — total, 99. Mornington School — 2 officers, 50 rank and file, — total, 52. No. 2 Company High Street School — 1 officer, 38 rank and file, — total. 39. Normal School— 2 officers, 41 rank and file, — total, 43. Arthur Street School No. Z Company— l officer. 43 rank and file,— total, 44. Total for No. 2 Battalion, 382. No. 3 Battalion, Major Burlinson in command. Captain Smeaton adjutant, Captain Whetter quartermaster: — Industrial School — 1 captain, 1 colour-ser-geant, 3 sergeants, 2 corporals, 2 lancecorporals, 4 buglers, 4 bandsmen, 36 rank and file, — total, 53. Caversham School — •1 captain, 1 colour-sergeant, 4 sergeants, 2 corporals, 1 bugler, 42 rank and file,— total, 51. Green Island School — 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 4 sergeants, 1 bugler. 35 rank and file, — total, 42. Forbury School— l captain, 2 lieutenants, 4 sergeants. 4 corporals, 50 rank and file, — total, 62. Macandrew Road School — 1 captain. 1 colour-sergeant, 3 sergeants, 1 corporal, 1 bugler, 32 rank and file, — total, 39. Kensington School — 1 captain, 1 colour-sergeant, 3 sergeants, 4 corporals, 1 bugler. 36 rank and file,— total, 46. Total for No. 3 Battalion, 292. Total for Public School Cadets. 918.

Grand total, 1647 of all ranks, b&sides a detachment of the Otaaro Hn«"- ho

ussars, w

attended the Governor

.Captain Crawford, of the City Guards, commanded the guard of honour.

On his Excellency the Governor taking his departure, Colonel Pitt, Acting Minister of Education, sent for Majors Murray, Burlinson, and Smith, the three officers commanding the Public School Cadets, and expressed lii.3 appreciation of the manner in which the School Cadets had turned out, also on their fine appearaiioe and general conduct. He desired Major Murray and t-he senior officers pres-ent to notifiy the various corps of this appreciation.