BISHOP COWIE'S MEMORIAL.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12748, 21 March 1910, Page 4

BISHOP COWIE'S MEMORIAL.

"To the glory o£ God, and in honoured and affectionate remembrance of; William Gulden (Jowie, D.D., Jiisiwp j of Auckland, 1889 to 1902, Primate of j Now Zealand, 189G to 1902." Such is j the inscription beneath the lately-com- | plcied window I'or St. Mary's Cathedral at Auckland by Messrs Jones and Willis, of Great Russell street, London, whose reputation for stained glass and church decoration of all kinds is world-wide. Citizens of Auckland cannot be anything but tvcll pleased with the new window, which is to be the central feature in the chancel of tho cathedral. Tho very simplicity of design appeals (states a London correspondent), there has been no attempt to crowd in too much. Tho finished ■ window seems so well suited to be a lasting memory of the charming personality of the late Primate, who was beloved throughout the Dominion. One is first struck by the chastity of tho dc/sign, the refinement of its execution, and the natural humanity of the figure subjects. The colourmgs mainly are neutral, brilliant splashes of ruby glass entering with splendid effect into the robes of the figures; the other colour chiefly noticeable is a rich blue, which is introduced with skill and much taste. The general colour is soft. Messrs Jonas and Willis wore supplied from Auckland by Canon Walsh ivith a general outline of the idea upon which to carry out their commission. The window is 20 feet in height— lofty in proportion to its size; it is divided

into three lights, the middle ova being tallur tlisui its companions. The centra) portion of eacli light is occupied by i lifesizo symbolical figure of our Lord. The middle light depicts Him as King, with orb in one hand and sceptic in the. other, standing on a globe representing the world ; in the left hand light the figure represents Him as Prophet, with right hand uplifted, and an open book borne in the left hand ; in the light on_the right we see Him as Priest, bearing a golden chalice in His hands. Each figure r.tands beneath a canopy, and it is in the robe drapery that the opportunity has offered itself to the introduction of the rich ruby colouring which renders strikingly effective the golden jewels outlining the robes. In the topmost section of each light is tho figure of an angel, each bearing upon a scroll the description of tho subject beneath — "Prophet," "King," "Priest." The lowest portion of each light, forming the base, is occupied by a coat of arms, and it is here that the blue principally predominates. One shie'.d represents the arms of the diocese of Auckland, another the arms and crest of the Cowie family, and the next those of thei See impaling Bishop Cowie's paternal arms. — "N.Z. Herald."