“GONE WEST.”

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 624, 15 April 1921, Page 5

“GONE WEST.”

OBELISK TO BE REPLACED BY “GATES OF HONOUR.” SCHOOL CORNER APPROVED AS SITE. A further meeting of subscribers to ,the Papatoetoe War Memorial was called last Friday evening. There was a very good attendance presided ever by Mr Arthur W. Hall, chairman of the Town Board. In opening the meeting the chairman reviewed the proceedings since the matter was first taken up last July. He explained that although there was some difference of opinion as to the site, all concurred in the desire to erect some form of memorial that would form a fitting tribute to those who saw active service abroad and wished to perpetuate the memory of those men. ’ Deciding on the Site, Mr Hunter, beginning the business of the meeting, moved that the site over the railway bridge be rescinded and that the school site be taken into consideration. He said that a mpnuroent was an intangible token of respect and should be placed on a site where it can be a constant reminder and stimulus of the spirit of those tv - ) whom it was erected. The adults of to-day needed no reminder. That was the need of the coming generation. To that end the monument could not be better placed than at the school, where the young people congregated—where the spirit of devotion and patriotism was inculcated Into the men whom it was intended to honour. He went on to explain that the money in hand would not cover the cost of forming the road at the site near the railway, in addition to the expenditure upon the memorial itself. If the memorial were placed at the school corner, all the money coud be spent upon the actual erection and purchase of materials. Mr Law, in support of the motion, stressed the point that the character training of a nation was of primary importance. If the monument were not placed on the school site it should at least be placed in close proximity to it. The Rev. C. E. Porter, speaking along the same lines, said that the idea of beautification should be of secondary importance to educative advantages offered by a memorial which represented such a noble cause. A vote was then taken and the motion was carried by a majority of 71 to 17. Change of Form of • Memorial, In moving that the form of the memorial be changed, Mr Hunter explained that the money available, namely the £251 10s collected, was so small an amount to erect an obelisk that the resulting structure would be paltry—merely a tombstone. The motion was carried unanimously. Mi George Smith, in producing a plan on the lines approved by the meeting, said that the four posts must be considered as the memorial, for the gates would eventually need replacing. They would last only a limited time. The plan showed the gates with the words “ Play the Game” inscribed on them.

Two amendments: “That the funds be invested and the interest be applied either to buy prizes for the scholars or in the form of a scholarship,” and “That the memorial take the form of a saluting - base —a monumental were both rejected. Mr Law moved that the memorial gates be called “Gates of Honour,” The suggestion met with the approval of the meeting. A committee of five, comprising Messrs Larsen, Hall, Hunter .. Smith and the Rev. C. E. Porter was elected to go into detaials. The meeting tendered thanks to Mr A. W. Hall and Mr Larsen for their untiring work in furthering the project. It was decided to make out new contribution lists and to transfer to them the names of subscribers on the old lists.

In conclusion the first verse of “God Save the King” was sung.