275
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

don. No steps, however, have been taken,
nor does it appear that any are contemplated,
to make known to each individual man and
woman constituting the body of the people,
and residing either in the Parishes and Ham-
lets of the United Kingdom or in the Colonies,
the Memorial which it is proposed to erect,
nor has any opportunity been hitherto afforded
them of adding their contributions to the
general fund. If this were done, all would
affectionately unite with their Queen in rais-
ing a Monument to the memory of the Prince
who neglected no opportunity to promote their
welfare. It is only through very extended
parochial and other agencies, that the neces-
sary information can be generally given, and
the Council has, therefore, determined forth-
with to invite influential persons, representing
all the great interests of the country, the
Church of England, and other religious de-
nominations, as well as the great employers
of labour, to unite with them as a Committee
to convey this information, and to make such
arrangements as may afford to every one
of her Majesty's subjects, throughout the
United Kingdom and the Colonies, the op-
portunity of taking a part, however humble,
in promoting the Memorial, by subscriptions
however small.

The Queen, "following the movement of
her people," has asked " to be allowed to take
part with them in doing honour to her be-
loved Prince;"* and the Council, believing
that the women of England especially will
rejoice to work in concert with their Queen,

• The following is a copy of Her Majesty's
  letter:-

Osborne, February 19, 1862.

MY LORD, -The Queen wishes me to add a few
words to the answer to your letter, which you will re-
ceive with this, expressive in a more special manner of
Her Majesty's personal wishes.

She is aware that she could not with any propriety
contribute, as a wife, to a monument to her husband,
but she is also the Sovereign of this great empire, and
as such, she cannot but think she may be allowed to
join with the nation in the expression of a nation's
gratitude to one to whom she owes so much.

Who has a dearer interest than the Queen in the
well-being and happiness of the people? And if it
has pleased God to make her reign, so far, happy and
prosperous, to whom, under Divine Providence, is this
so much owing as to her beloved husband, in all mat-
ters of doubt or difficulty her sure counsel, her unfail-
ing guide and support ?

No one can know, as the Queens knows, how his
every thought was devoted to the country-how his
only aim was to improve the condition of the people,
and to promote their best interests. Indeed, his un-
tiring exertions in furtherance of these objects, tended,
in all probability, to shorten his precious life.

Surely, then, it will not be out of place that, follow-
ing the movement of her people, the Queen should be
allowed to consider how she may best take part with
them in doing honour to her beloved Prince, so that
the proposed monument may be recorded to future
ages as reared by the Queen and people of a grateful
country to the memory of its benafactor.

I have the honour to be,
Your lordship's most obedient,
and faithful servant,
C. GREY.

The Right Hon, the Lord Mayor.

intend to invite Ladies to be members of the
proposed Committee.

2. Should more funds be realised than will
   be required to carry properly into effect the
   Monument " on a scale of sufficient grandeur,"
   as stated in the communication made by the
   Queen's command to the Lord Mayor, it will
   be for Her Majesty, who has already pointed
   out the character of the intended Monument,
   to decide on the application of any surplus
   to some object of comprehensive utility which
   the Prince Consort had at heart.

By order of the Council,

P. LE NEVE FOSTER,
Secretary.

Read a letter from the Archbishop of Can-
terbury, of which the following is an extract:

"I shall be ready to concur, as far as I am able, in
whatever measures may be thought desirable for pro-
moting the object which we all have so much at heart,
and which I am sure needs only to be generally made
known, in order to elicit the ready sympathy of every
class in the country."

Read, also, a letter from the Bishop of Ox-
ford, expressing his desire to promote the ob-
ject of the Meeting.

Lord Henry Lennox, M.P., moved the fol-
lowing resolution:--

That this meeting cordially agrees with the report of
the Council, and heartily concurs in the proposal that
arrangements be made to afford to every one who de-
sires it, the opportunity of taking part in the intended
National Memorial of affection and gratitude to the
Prince Consort.

This was seconded by the Hon. Arthur
Kinnaird, M.P., and carried unanimously.

Mr. Henry Pownall, Chairman of the Mid-
dlesex Sessions, moved:----

That a General Committee be appointed, which shall
represent all interests and all classes in the country, to
give effect to the foregoing resolution by their collec-
tive and individual assistance in the formation of local
sub-committees, and in the receipt of subscriptions.

(See list of Subscriptions enclosed.)

This was seconded by Mr. Kelk, and carried
unanimously.

The Rev. G. R. Gleig (Chaplain-General)
moved:-

That a Central Executive Committee be appointed,
whose special duty it shall be to make known to each
individual residing either in the parishes and hamlets
of the United Kingdom, or in the colonies, the cha-
racter of such Memorial as may be approved by her
Majesty, and to obtain the subscriptions of all who
desire to contribute to the fund; and that the Com-
mittee be instructed to appoint a chairman and a vice-
chairman, as well as a treasurer, and that such Central
Executive Committee have power to add names to the
General Committee, and to their own body. The
Central Executive Committee to consist of-

The Duke of St. Albans.
The Marquis of Salisbury, K G.
The Earl of Derby, K.G.
The Earl of Malmesbury.
The Hon. F. Byng.
The Hon. Colonel Talbot.
Sir Thomas Phillips.
Mr. M. H. Marsh, M.P.
Mr. Henry Cole, C.B.
Mr. Harry Chester
The Honorary Secretaries.