UNVEILING THE MOORHOUSE STATUE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3511, 30 December 1885, Page 6

UNVEILING THE MOORHOUSE STATUE.

(By Telegraph.) Cbbibtchubch, Dec. 22. The ceremony of unveiling the Moorhouae statue, which has been erected ta (he Government Domain, ck>6e to the gates facing Hereford street/ took place tais afternoon The statue has been paid lor by public subscriptions, aad U the work of the araineot sculptor Laviion, tilio h«I to model it from a photograph and with the assurance oi suggestions made by a few friends who were intimately acquainted frith the original. On it» arrival here at first same disappointment was expressed on the question 01 the facial likeness, 'lhe general opinion now jb that the etatue is reully characteristic m pose of figure and m expression of feature, and that as a work of art it is of high merit. The figure is seated, draped m modern costume and facing as nearly as may bo towards the tunnel with which the name of Moorhouse is inseparably connected. The pedistol is a single cube of bluestone, on the face of which v carved the inscription " Wm. Sefton Moorhouse, to whose energy and perseverance Canterbury owes the tunnel between the Fort and the Plains." On the right hand side is carved "Born 1825, died 1881." On the left hand " - uperintendent 1808-62 and ISSS-6H." A. half-holiday wag observed m honor of the ceremony, which commenced at 3 p.m. The weather was beautifully fine. The blue sky and bright sunshine recalled memories of tbs August afternoon eighteen years ago when Lhe (iodley etatue «os presented to the gaze of the citizens. Two platforms were erected near the statue for the accommodation of liis Excellency the Governor and those who were to take part m the ceremonial and for the ladies. A dense orowd of spectators assembled m the jardens. Mrs Moorhouse, the Blisses Moorhouse and Mr W. Moorhouse were present. His Excellenoy tha Governor arrived punctually at 8 p.m., and was, received by Messrs J. Ollivier, C. C. Bowen, H. P. Murray-Aynsley, 8. Clarkson, L. Harper, Professor von Haast and His Worship the Mayor (Mr A. Ayers). The Christchurch City Guards furnished a guard of honor for the occasion. Mr J. Ollivior, m requesting the Governor to unveil the statue, referred to the great services rendered to the people of Canterbury by ihe man to whose memory they had assembled to do honor that day. His Excellency, after a short address, m which he eulogised the career of Mr Moorhouse, unveiled the statue, and then at the request of MrOlUvier, banded it over to Mr Leonard Harper, as Chairman of the Domain Board. Mr Harper briefly accepted the charge. ■ Mr William Moorhou*e, a son of Mr Sefton Moorhouse, briefly acknowledged the honor paid to his late father, and after cheers had been Riven for lhe Governor and Mr Ollivier, the proceedings terminated.