THE CENOTAPH

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1923, Page 5

THE CENOTAPH

LOCAL STONE TOO COSTLY. OTHER MATERIAL TO BE USED. THE QUESTION OF FINANCE. SOME FINALITY DESIRABLE. As the architect has reported that it would be too costly to construct New Plymouth’s war memorial cenotaph in stone, it has been decided to call tenders for the erection of the work in Mount Somers stone, with a base consisting of local stone. This decision was made at a meeting of the War Memorial Committee last night, those present being the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), Mesdames E. Dockrill, C. H. Weston, Messrs. S. G. Smith, M.P., F. J Hill, V. Griffiths, J. R. Hill, A. M. MacDiarmid, F. Hartnell, W. J. Chaney, W. J. Penn, W. H. Skinner, H. E. Fookes and C. H. Weston. The Mayor explained that the architect (Mr. F. Messenger) had drafted a design for the memorial on similar lines to the Whitehall cenotaph, and had drawn up specifications. Unfortunately, it had been found that it would be too expensive to do the whole of the work in local stone. It was desirable that the upper portion should be of white stone, but Mount Somers (Ashburton) stone was considered to be too expensive, whereas Oamaru stone, the use of which had been suggested, would not resist the weather and the carving etc. would be likely to erode. ■! DIFFERENCES IN COST.

Mr. Griffiths, on behalf of the firm of Messrs. Messenger, Griffiths and Taylor, said it had been found that the use of local stone was out of the question as the cost of working it would be prohibitive. He was satisfied that Mount Somers stone would be ideal for the purpose, but, in submitting figures which were regarded as confidential, he pointed out that this material was considerably more costly than the Oamaru stone. He recommended that tenders for the work be called in Mount Somers stone, with alternative tenders in Oamaru material. The difficulty was that some Oamaru stone was good and some was not, and a careful selection would be necessary. Replying to a question, the Mayor said the committee had a little over £l9OO in hand and promised.

A difficulty in ascertaining what the total amount of the contributions to the fund would be, was pointed out by Mr. Skinner, who added that many people had not yet come forward. The Mayor said that, in response to a circular letter, some firms, with headquarters in other centres, had replied that they were not authorised to contribute to war memorial funds. BUILT ACCORDING TO MEANS. “We want another £5OO to do the work properly. Have wn any hone of getting it?” asked Mr. Skinner. “I don’t think so,” said the Mayor, in advising that the committee should go ahead and erect a memorial according to the means at its disposal. “After all, the best stone is the local stone if we can finance it,” stated Mr. Smith, the Mayor agreeing. Mr. Griffiths however, referred to the difficulty, in addition, of local stone being secured in sufficiently large blocks.

Speaking from his experience as a builder Mr. Hartnell said he had yet to see that Oamaru stone would stand the New Plymouth climate, and the committee would be ill-advised to decide to build in that material. He asked whether it would be possible to build a portion of the cenotaph in local split stone. Split stone would take away the cenotaph idea, the whole beauty of which lay in its simplicity, Mr. Griffiths replied. Mr. Skinner suggested that the proportions of the cenotaph might be reduced in order to build in Mount Somers stone with the money available. Mr. Mac Diarmid, however, thought this might have the effect of the cenotaph being overshadowed by its purroundings. “It would awaken the people if we build as much of the memorial as our funds allow, and leave the last ten feet or so unfinished,” said Mr. Hartnell. ‘This would act as a reproach to the town.” “But who would feel the reproach?” asked the Mayor, answering his own question by adding, “The people who had subscribed.”

“I would sooner see the cenotaph erected in a smaller size in Mount Somers stone than in full size in Oamaru stone,” said Mr. Griffiths. MONEY YET TO COME IN. The Mayor pioved that the architect be asked to call'tenders for the erection of a cenotaph with a base of local stone and the remainder of the structure in Mount Somers stbne. Many people would wonder why the idea of local stone had been abandoned, thought Mr. Smith. It should be made clear that the committee had found this impossible with the money in hand. The Mayor’s motion was carried. Some finality should be reached in the matter of finance, contended Mr. Skinner Was a further canvass to be made? He felt sure there must be a few hundred pounds still to come in. “Waiting for conscription,” commented Mr. Hartnell. Mr. Penn suggested that the committee should make a final appeal through the Press, pointing out that tenders were being called and the committee was anxious to ascertain the total amount of money it would have at its disposal. The Mayor thought it might be wiser to see what the tender price was, as it might not be necessary to make a further appeal. The Mayor, Messrs. Weeton and Skinner were apfiointed to confer with the architect regarding this aspect of the question.