Blaketown’s Park Opened As War Memorial

Grey River Argus, 6 April 1948, Page 2

Blaketown’s Park Opened As War Memorial

Made possible by ' the efforts of Blaketown residents, guided by the. Advance Blaketown League, a new park for children, to commemorate the deeds of Blaketown men during the last war was opened on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large gathering. In the absence of the Mayor of Greymouth (Mr F. Boustridge). the Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. S. Stokes) performed the ceremony. He congratulated the Blaketown residents on then most useful memorial which was exceptionally well equipped already. Such community effort meant a great saving to the borough and the ratepayers generally, he said. It was a fine example of the community effort for which Blaketown was most noted. Mr Gordon Batty, vice-president of the Returned Services’ Association (Greymouth branch), complimented the league on the nature of the war memorial. The chairman of the league. Mr F McEnaney, returned thanks to the many willing workers with community spirit who had made the playground possible, and to members n. the women’s committee, who invariably plaved a most important part. To the many who had made donations the committee was also grateful. Later, as funds permitted it was intended to set up in the area a suitable drinking font, on which a plaque could he erected perpetuating the memory of fallen Blaketown members of the armed services. Children’s sports, and the issue cf sweets and ice-creams to a large number of children, was a feature of the afternoon. R.S.A. BOWLING TOURNEY [To the Editor]. Sir: In these days when the R.S.A. demands that Anzac Day should not be transferred as a holiday to a Monday if it falls on a Sunday, it rather shocks the average person to find that R.S.A. members give more consideration to games than to honouring their comrades-in-arms. On Saturday, when the tribute of the citizens of Blaketown to the dead of the suburbs was being opened, it must have been more than a surprise to those taking part in the ceremony to know that, next door, R.S.A. members indulged in their bowling tournament, without a break of even a few minutes while the Deputy-Mayor declared the beautiful new children’s park open. Such an action speaks much louder than words. I am, etc., BLAKETOWN