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Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1920, Page 2

marked the handling of this matter of special duty which lies upon the people. The score or so of people who assembled had plenty, of ideas on the subject and these were put forward. The i meeting ultimately appointed a eom- ; mittee to go into details and bring j down a definite scheme in a report jto be considered at a further pivb- ; lie meeting on the matter. It is hoped ! after the lapse of time that has taken

j place already, that this . meeting will ibe decisive, and that plans will be laid to push the project to speedy ! consummation. It is noted that, there j is some idea of quickening the pace, I as the meeting decided the foundation • stone should be laid on Anzac Day, 1 a very fitting occasion and anniver- ' sary now near at hand. In the remarks i made on Tuesday night there was sonic ! division of opinion in regard to the | form of memorial. The utilitariai question cropped up. We have nc I hesitation in saying that for a purpose so important to the race as a memorial to the fallen in the late war

; which was* fought for the liberties oi this and succeeding generations, thai the main and central memorial slioulc be something apart from an utilitariai j purpose. Wo have to think of thosi • who come after, who in their day anc ! generation will honor the memories o j those who made civilisation safe fo | them, no less than for us, the presen ; indebted public. The memorial shout jbe something apart, and stand npar as a reminder for all who come afte ! of what the years 1914-1918 meant, an i what toll they took to win the vie i tory which ensured international free dom. As regards the memorial we talc it, it will be the contribution of th

citizens in grateful recognition of the sacrifice 'so ndhlv made on their behalf, and to perpetuate the names and memories of those who joined in that sacrifice —so many of whom paid the penalty. 'Hit's is a citizens’ duty and it should be discharged as such. As to a site, if we were sure Cass Square would be made worthy for a noble memorial, we would support that location, but failing some assurance in that respect, the Macandrew Square site, where there is beauty and orderliness all about, is beyond compare. As to the form of memorial, a cenotaph is being adopted very generally, and is

most fitting in every way. It may be of various designs, but a circular design with surrounding pillars, and a canopy 'bearing a piece of statuary such as a winged figure of Victory, wou.d be most appropriate. Under the canopy might stand a pillar of New Zealand polished greenstone wherein could be engraved the names of those men and women from our district who fell so nobly in the defence of the Empire. A memorial such as this would -be something "Westland might he proud of through all the years that are to be as a symbol of its sacrifice for victory in the world’s great war.