WESTLAND WAR MEMORIAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1920, Page 1

WESTLAND WAR MEMORIAL.

PUBLIC MEETING AT TOWN HALL.

A meeting convened by the Mayor was held at the Town Hall last even-ing.-^,for the purpose of taking up the matter of erecting a war memorial in Westland. The attendance numbered about twenty. Mr G. A. Perry, (May- , or) presided over the meeting . which opened at 7.45 o’clock. His Worship the Mayor stated that the meeting had been called to consider the erection of a memento to the men wtio had fallen during the war. During the progress of the war it was stated that such a memorial would bo erected, and they were now called upon to fulfil that purpose. He thought an imposing monument should be erected. He did ' not think they should countenance an utilittarian memorial, which would hardly fit their purpose but something dig--1 nifiecl and striking to show their mark of approbation and respect. The meet ing would bo asked to appoint the necessary! committees to further the object. It was due to the memory of those who fell to perpetuate their memory and to mark the districts sense at the great sacrifice made throughout the Empire for tho common defence. The Mayor suggested Cass Square as a very suitable site, remarking that more use should be made of that central lo-

cation. In respect to utilising the Square more he spoke of the advisability of removing the memorial at the Cemetery erected to the memory'of tho pioneer explorers. These were suggestions which could ho taken up by the meeting.

Mr T .W. Bruce, County Chairman, said the movement was one for the people as a whole to take up throughout Westland. He approved of the suggestion to use Cass Square as the site for the memorial. That reserve was the best asset the town had, and more use should he made of it. In time to como the Square would be more and more used, and would always remain the central feature of the town. He would like to see the people unanimous about the project. Ho suggested that tho mothers, wives and widows of the soldiers should be considered when constituting the general committee . Mr P. R. Stewart speaking of the question of the site, said it seemed to

him that a good situation for.the nionu ment would he in Macandrew Square, facing Hamilton Street. That was a location which would be very prominently before the people moving about the town. He approved the object in mind, and agreed it should he an ornamental memorial.

Sergt-Major Mclntosh, Secretary of the ‘Returned Soldiers Association, said the association had considered the matter, and thought that the best memorial would he something for the use of the soldiers and an asset to the town. Tie referred to the proposal of the proposed soldiers hall to be erected in Revell Stret adjoinng the Dominion Hotel and urged that project as one for the people to take up. The building could be used for entertainments and thus serve a useful purpose. Mr T. R. Hickson, agreed with the previous speaker as to the erection of a utility hall in preference to a. tombstone in the middle of the town. If the dead men could speak he felt sure they would prefer something such as their comrades were suggesting now. Rev. P. B. Fraser said the matter was one for the people and not for the local bodies. The whole of the people were interested. After a great conflict when the excitement died down,- human nature was not generally eager to respond. In the present case if a lead -were given, and perseverance exercised, ho felt sure there would be no difficulty in erecting a worthy memorial for the district. The local churches were seeking to erect their memorials, and there was no conflict between those efforts and the idea to erect a public memorial. He would ask the people to keep an open mind till the suggestions were brought out. At the same time he favoured a suggestion that Cass Square might be utilised. The grounds could he made very attractive for all, and yet be considered a memorial park. Likewise he did not wish to see any competition with the returned soldiers in their project. They were the men who should be considered. If the Cass Square proposal went on no doubt the local bodies could bo asked), to assist financially. Whatever action was decided on he hoped it would bo persevered with diligently ,and not allowed to lanquish as was too often the case.

The Mayor said there need be no conflict in ideas. It was for the committee to be proposed to go into the project, and report when the whole matter would come up fpr public decision. Mr Bruce moved:—That the meeting approve the erection of a Westland War Memorial to cost not less than £1,500; and that the following Executive be appointed, namely : The Mayor, tho County Chairman, Messrs \\ dd, Breeze, Preston, Coulson, Vajentine, I. Mclntosh, E. A. Wells, and Hon H. L. Michel; Mesdames Moore, Dcva 5, and Martin, with power to add to thennumber, to report ns to a suitable design for a memorial and a site f erection of same, and to take such *•*.»to speedy erection of the mmoiia , ■ this end arrangements be made o - J the foundation stone for same

tl,o„ R ht » COO<I committee posted. Ho supported the idea "CSSM*. Co lit p n wider runcc, find entjuusr;“ r oimit bc« «** * cd 'J ’ ' wild suggested the proposed t Should be not less than £1,500. The Government would subsidise the project I ht and lie thought tlie money would bo forthcoming. He suggested

Sergt. Major Mclritosh be added to the Committee proposed. Mr P. McGregor suggested Mr E. A. Wells’ name, who had attended from AVoodstock, bo added to the Committee. The names suggested were added to the committee and the motion? was carrid.

Air It. Wild moved:—That the following, namely Messrs Aitken, Andrewes Brunton, Duff, Evans, Macfarlane, Stewart and W. Wilson, with power to add to their number, be a Finance Committee to arrange for the collection of tho sum required as early as possible by voluntary contributions.

Replying to Air Fraser, the Alayor explained that the Committee proposed was to see to the collection of the necessary funds for the memorial ultimately adopted by the public. Air Bruce thought that the meeting might be more outspoken as to what it wanted as a guide to the committees which were to report. In regard to tha funds he thought) instead of voluntary contributions, there should he an appeal to the local bodies of the district for a substantial subsidy towards the cost. No doubt legislation would permit of this. Th© motion was then carried. Mr Bruce moved that the local hod- ’ ies ho asked, to contribute to the war memorial. Mr Hickson seconded.—Car-

ried. The Alayor moved:—Mr A. A. Ancirewes as lion, treasurer, Air p.J. Evans as lion, secretary. M,r Duff seconded.Carried.

The meeting concluded, at 8.40 p.m,