Our Illustrations

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 19, 12 May 1909, Page 16

Our Illustrations

ARTHUR’S PASS TUNNEL. /TA R. MURDOCH McLEAN states ■ IB that work a* Arthur’s Pass is 2j I J proceeding favourably. A / large number of men are being put on widening out the Otira end, and four or live chains of widening is already completed. The Hock-making plant has been installed, and is working. As soon as the blocks are sufficiently set he will commence lining. Between 78ft and 80ft were driven last week, making a total length in of 41 or 42 chains. The men •re perfectly satisfied with the bonus system, and last week £l2 or £l4 extra was divided amongst the 28 men. The electrical installation at Otira is working admirably, and .there has been no hitch since starting. A good deal has been done at the Bealey, and pipes are laid to the tunnel in connection with the hydroelectric installation. The cables are on poles between the power and compressor houses. The generator and pelton wheels are in place, the compressor is fixed, and it is hoped in a fortnight to commence work heading the Bealey end of the tunnel. SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL AT NEW PLYMOUTH. As the years pass away and the scythe of Father Time mows in larger and yet larger circles, the libtle band of veterans of the wars in Taranaki dwindles smaller and smaller. A few years hence the generation of to-day will see very little in its daily life to remind it of the troublous times that the province of Taranaki once passed through. The only thing to remind them will probably be a few collections of medals that adorned the breasts of the erstwhile defenders of the province, and the memorial on Marsland Hill, unveiled by his Excellency the Governor, Lord Plunket (says the "Taranaki Herald”). Unfortunately the weather was far from perfect. Nevertheless, the historic occasion drew the public until the top of the hill was covered with a mass of people. The procession from the town was headed by the Taranaki Garrison Band, under Drum-Major Taster, followed by over 70 members of the Veterans’ Association, under Captain Standish; the Taranaki Rifles, Taranaki Guards, and the School Cadets. The battalion was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Okey, V.D., whose staff consisted of Major Malone, Quartermaster-Captain F. W. Okey, Sur-geon-Captain Home, and Sergeant-Major Armitage. Chaplain-Major F. G. Evans and Chaplain-Captain S. Spencer were also in attendance. The parade states were as follows:—Taranaki Rifles (Captain Bellringer and Lieut. Lever), 33; Taranaki Guards (Captain Mills and Lieut. Beadle), 42; Cadets (in command of Major Sandford, V.D.)—-Central No. 1 (Captain Mcllroy) 40, Central No. 2 (Captain Bocock) 39, West End (Lieut. White) 56, Fitzroy (Lieut. Bailey) 20. Major Sandford’s staff consisted of Captain and Adjutant Johnston, Quarter-master-Captain Bary, and Sergeant-Major Linn. On arrival at the top of Marsland Hill, the troops formed a hollow square facing the monument, with the vice-regal dais in the centre. Colonel Ellis acted as marshal. Lord and Lady Plunket arrived at the monument about 2.30 p.m., and were conducted to the dais by Mr. S. Percy Smith, chairman of the Memorial Committee, and were received with the royal salute. Lady Plunket wore her uniform as Hon. Colonel of the North Canterbury Mounted Rifles. Mr Smith, in explaining the origin of the memorial, said it was unique in the Dominion. There was none in the Do-

minion so comprehensive. There wens monuments erected Co regiments and t® individuals, but this one commemorated the deeds of the naval and Imperial military forces, the militia and tha loyal Maoris. The origin of this monument was due to one man in this place, Captain Mace, who had felt that thera should be a more general monument' than had so far been attempted. Ha and others communicated with tha Mayor, Mr Doekrill; a meeting waa held, and officers elected. He acknowledged the herculean and honorary labours of Mr W. F. Gordon, the secretary. Having received good response to an appeal for funds, the committee decided on this monument out of a number of competitive designs. A contract was let to Mr Parkinson, of Auckland. About a year had elapsed, owing to tha marble figure having to be obtained from the famed Italian quarries at Carrara; and now here was the monument. Marsland Hill would, he thought, be esteemed a very suitable place for a monument of this nature. It was the first spot which had been fortified by the British in the province. Prior to that is was the site of an old Maori pa, called Pukaka, and the hill stood some sixty or seventy feet higher than tha present summit. It was beautifully terraced in those days, fortified, and palisaded. In tha troublous times of tha “fifties,” when the Maoris were fighting amongst themselves, it was feared that the more remote settlers might become embroiled in the quarrels, owing to the proximity of the fighting pas to their, homesteads. Colonel Badley was sent down from Auekland, and he selected this hill as the best site for the military barracks which were to be erected. Two hundred and fifty soldiers were sent here, and they camped on the site of the present Government Buildings; another two hundred camped on the spot where the Technical School now stands. Those forces, under the direction of tha Royal Engineers, cut down the hill sufficiently to provide barrack room, the beauty of the hill being unavoidably sacrificed. Then followed the erection of the barracks, with its palisade piecred for guns. There had been a feeling of unrest from the days of Hone Heke’S war, and this gave rise to the formation of the Land League. In 1860 a Maori chieftain, who claimed ownership, sold a block of land at Waitara to the Crown. Another chief, Wi Kingi, defied him to sell, and when the surveyors! went out he turned them off and fortified a position. Then followed the tea years’ war. So his Excellency would see that Marsland Hill had been connected with military matters for a very great number of years. It was for years a refuge for the women and children of the' settlement. Owing to the incursions of the Maoris, and their destruction of the homesteads and farms, the settlers all came into New Plymouth, and no man was allowed beyond '-'the lines,” tha safe area being marked by trenches and! sod walls. And in times of danger a' signal gun from Marsland Hill brought’ all the women and children flocking fa the barracks for safety. Mr Smith then asked his Excellency to perform the unveiling ceremony. '' The monument is a very handsome one, and reflects much credit on the sculptors —Messrs. W. Parkinson and Co., of Auckland. ---