MEMORIAL GATES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14141, 11 June 1920, Page 6

MEMORIAL GATES.

FOR A PUBLIC PARK. Mr Carson, secretary of the Soldiers’ Memorial and Cameron Park, has received from Mr A. Palkner, C.L., of Kaiparoro, a design for memorial antes to a park. This is in response to a request from Mr Carson tor a rough sketch of a design which might aid the committee in coming to a decision as to what form the memorial should take. The design is a voluntary ofteriii"- to the committee, and is not in an\ wav competitive. Air Falkner is a retired civil engineer, and has given ot his best in the preparation ot the design, which is worthy of the man who designed all the bridges for the late Manawatu Railway Company. The design, has a character, that is reminiscent of the war and of victory. It is quite plain, and has no florid ornamentation, but relies for effect on projection and recess to cast heavy shadows. No columns or pillars are used, but it lms three arches and gateways—the centre for a carriage drive,_ the sides for foot passengers. The idea built into the design is 'that as one enters each gateway he makes an aet ot entering an enemy’s country. Over the centre gateway is inscribed in bold lettering “To the Rhine!” You enter into Cologne, and have, with Franco, retaken Alsace and Lorraine. Attol ' passing through the archway you hud that vou have also made entry to Constantinople. On the other side of the Rhine gate you have an entrance to E«vpt and to Palestine, and as you pass further east by the side gates you have entered the. Dardanelles and the Bosphorus gates. At the interior side of the pathway you have a tull-si/c Boat, (or part of one) representing the landing on Gallipoli at Anzac Cove or Bav, and on a rock work it is proposed that shrubs which have actually come from the Peninsula should be planted. There are no pediments on this side of the structure, but a flat roof abate will accommodate two gnus used in the war, a pile or two of 15-inch shells of the'’Elizabethan order, and a few of smaller sizes just piled about. The frontage of the whole pile would be about SO feet, and height 45 feet or so. It would be built hollow, with just a reinforcement • of steel where unavoidable. In order that it shall not be an ornament alone, an entrance has been made to the interior, so that it might be used as a museum for war trophies or relies and records that would make it yet more truly a remembrance of the Great War. Photos also of those who took, part from this district could be preserved for posterity. It is understood that it has been decided that the actual memorial shall bo in the form of a monument to _ be erected in the public park. The idea embodied in the design might be carried out as a gateway to the Cameron Park. Tt would cost a considerable amount, probably, but if a few publicspirited citizens or settlers would follow the example of Messrs P. J- si id R. Cameron, who gave the Cameron Park grounds, the question of cost would soon be overcome.