NATIONAL MEMORIAL UNVEILED.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13109, 18 May 1911, Page 3

NATIONAL MEMORIAL UNVEILED.

AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY,

[Press Absociation-Cofybioht.]

London, May 16. The weather was fine and .sunny for the Queen Victoria memorial ceieTho* Kaiser placed a wreath at the foot of the statue, which the crowds Bounded for a half a mile radius. Mr Fisher attended in civilian costume, but Sir Joseph Ward was in Windsor uniform. Mr Asquith and Ministers, Ambassadors, distinguished Indians, and tho Court circle were on the dais, and other notables wore in seats facing the memorial. The King made a long speech in a clear voice. Detachments from naval forces, regiments, and regulars associated with Queen Victoria's name, participated in the march. A delegation of German Dragoons, of which Queen Victoria was honorary colonel, and units of Territorials bearing the Queen's name, and the King Edward Horse, represented by two officers and two men from each colony, were also present. Lord toner's address stated that the. memorial stood not only as a remembrance of the late Queen, but also as a conspicuous mark of the bond of brotherhood of Empire and loyalty to the Throne.

King George, in replying, alluded to the late King Edward's desire that there should T>e revived for our descendants the memory of the lustre and fame of Victoria's reign, during which the colonies grew vastly in prosperity and strength. The memorial represented the tributes of races and regions of more various character and circumstance than evor had boon combined before for common- purposes. His Majesty expressed tho deepast satisfaction at the presence of the Kaiser and Kaiserin. The nation rejoiced that Queen Victoria's eldcet grandson shared in the unveiling of the memorial, for the Kaiser had deeply loved and venerated her, whilo living ties of kinship and friendship united their thrones and persons. His Majesty concluded with a nobly phrased panegyric on Queen Victoria's worth and reign. After a brief religious sorvice the King, who was wearing a field marshal's uniform, pressed a button and dropped the veiling. Forty-one guns then boomed out a salute, and the bands played tho National Anthem.

The Kaiser was also attired as a British Field-Marshal.

At the conclusion of the ceremony the King knighted Mr Thomas Brock, tho sculptor, who designed tha monumental part of tho memorial.