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WAR MEMORIALS.

' JIN AUCKLAND TO BLUFF ROADWAY. interesting proposal was brought forward by Mr S. Hurst Seagcr at the annual meeting of tho New Zealand Institute of Architects at Wellington las t week. Mr Scager moved as follows, (■ That this conference of members oi tho X Z.I.A. from all parts of the Dominion most warmly approve the suggestion to form a national memorial road from Auckland to tho Bluff as by no other means can the efforts of local authorities and individuals be so well co-ordinated into one grand Dominion scheme. That the Town Planning Association in every centre be united to co-operate in placing the scheme beto™ the Government and the local hodlcs - Speaking in feupport of the proposal, Mr Seagcr said :-"lt cables tho State, the County Councils, Rpaxl Boards, Municipalities, and individuals to join m forming a grand memorial in all parts o Dominion. It would be the duty o State to lay a first-class concrete road, Aich shall, in fact be a 'King s Highway.' from Auckland to the Bluff. 1 idea of a memorial roadway is not new , a grand memorial road (of which particulars will be given at the Town Planning Conference) has been formed in Victoria. Whatever amount is spent on this proposed road will l>c amply repau bv tho facilities afforded for traffic and the enormous saving effected in tne cost of haulage. Thus, and thus only, is it a work of utility. But the utilitarian aspect of tho scheme is overshadowed by reason of the monuments to be erected along the routo. COMMEMORATIVE MILESTONES. "Tho road would pass through some of the most beautiful scenery of the Dominion. , , "Here nothing more would bo required than perhaps on some prominent bluff a single memorial such as lias been erected to tho Hon. P. MacKenwe of Oamaru, but at the level parts of the road, and at the entrance to the towns and cities, art must be combined \iitn Nature; for instance, commemorative mile-stones along the roads, ancl ■columns and arches forming the entrances to tho citics and towns. On these might bo inscribed a roll of honour to those citizens who have fallen. GARDEN CITIES. "Throughout tho length bf the road, at a distance of some miles apart, should be formed self-contained garden cities on town-planning lines, formed not onli aa a repatriation scheme, but also as a means of increasing the productivity or the country. Here small farms, agricultural holdings, together with all village industries, should bo formed with electric power,""good water supply, and all the amenities which are usually looked for, and only to be obtained 111 city life. This scheme would not only enable all the organisations along tho routo to take their port, but each individual and all the school children should he encouraged to do what they can to adorn tho routo with shrubs, trees, and flowers. I can think of no bettor way of expressing our thankfulness for the successful termination of the great fight in the.cause of freedom. To the Town Planning Conference and Exhibition, •which will bo held in Wellington in May, I trust all architects will gather, and that they will help forward this most urgent movement in reconstruction and repatriation by tho careful study of the exhibits which will bo brought together, and by attending and taking part in the conference to be .held." The chairman of the meeting (Mr C. S. Lawrence) Tuled Mr Seager s motion out of order, as no notice of his intention to movo it had been given. At the evening session of the Institute the motion was again brought bofore the Council of the Institute, when it was -decided to forward the motion ■ to the various branches of the Institute for their favourable consideration. *0 THE EDITOR OT "THB PRESS." Sir, —With regard to the suggestions offered by your correspondents as to a suitable war memorial, it seems to'me that it is only fair that the soldiers' wishes should be consulted first and foremost. Did we, for a moment, doubt that these men, when called to the colours would not do their dutyP They were tho pick of the country, physically, mentally, and morally,, and surely they have proved themselves equal to the world's best. This being so. is it not reasonable that now when tney return to us that we should still have sufficient confidenco in them to comply with their request, which is a more bagatelle compared with what they, in their turn, did for usP They have fought 'on almost eVery ibattloiront, and havo merited the respect and confidenco of our. leading . military men, not only as fighters, but as "brainy" and resourceful soldiers. Further. I should like to call attention to the fact that'so many of our men • were eager for promotion, although they realised that it gave them more re- . sponsibilities and exposed them to more personal danger. • Their club-house, which they so much desire, - will, I contend, be a useful building-, as we all recognise that maimed and crippled soldiers (of whom there' will be a fair percentage) will have'their employment in or near the city; and as these men are young men, and still have .their lives to live, what could be more fitting than a place of ' comfort and recreation to meet their | comrades, coming from moro distant parts. If, after some years, it is found ; that the Association is waning and the ! club-house is not likely to be of furtheri use to the soldiers, it certainly will 1 have increased in value, and there will ytill be some soldiers capable of put- " iing it to its very best use. Tmyself hope that the public in supporting the R.S.A. in this matter will feel thet they have at least done something in return for those who have ; fought our battles. In support of my ■ contentions, I have much pleasure in , giving £10 10s to the Returned Soldiers' ,Club Ft.iid.—Yours, etc., J. SEYMOUR. Upper Fendalton, January 18th, 1919.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19190120.2.24

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16425, 20 January 1919, Page 7

Word count
Tapeke kupu
999

WAR MEMORIALS. Press, Volume LV, Issue 16425, 20 January 1919, Page 7

WAR MEMORIALS. Press, Volume LV, Issue 16425, 20 January 1919, Page 7

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