Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1920, Page 2

Hokitikians showed the right spirit yesterday for the commemoration of Atizno Day. The weather for the occasion was atrocious—we can hardly recall a worse sot of weather conditions for an outdoor gathering. Yet Jie folk | gathered in scores and seeking what I shelter they could, joined in paying I | reverent homage to the fallen. The I gathering on Cass Square, which followed the memorial services in ihe churches was an occasion upon -which the town may' pride 'itself— for the neoole did their duty unselfishly. The troops gathered in respectable numbers, and the

returned men made a show which evidenced the link that ibinds them all in true comradeship. The band under the most untoward circumstances did exceedingly well, and deserve special, mention for their services which were in—dispensible. The local authorities and the public discharged their part with credit too. The ceremony at the laying of the foundation stone was curtailed necessarily, but the essential matters were attended to, and Lieut. Frickleton in his few words of address spoke with evident impress on the solemnity of the occasion. When the cenotaph it is proposed to rear, is erected it will be a rallying point, as it were for our thoughts and actions arising out of the war, and it will he but fitting, as Lieut. Frickleton remarked yesterday, that when passing the memorial which stands for the record of those buried elsewhere and so far afield we should not fail to salute our dead. iLater in the day acting under the kindly thought of Captain Cblclougli, and despite the continued rainfall, a pilgrimage was made to the Hokitika, cemetery where are laid to rest •some of our Anzac breed, and the wreaths were reverently deposited on the graves of heroes. It was a fitting act to close the solemn celebration of Anzac Day, the occasion and purpose of which we realise so much to the full just now.

In the course of very brief remarks at the laying of the foundation stone, 3 cs terday the Mayor .stated that the Westland* War Memorial fund had now reached' the vicinity of £1,250. This is a very fine result, and something that the district might well be proud of. The total does not quite reach the full sum aimed at, but so approximates the £1,500 that no doubt many people will he prepared to supplement their contributions without being specially appealed to and so would be achieved the very laudable object the promoters aimed at when starting on their purpose a few weeks ago. The people of the town have done very well, ind when the full lists are in from the country, no doubt it will be found that that section of the community has done equally well in the aggregate. Just, now a number of subscriptions are coming to hand from outside districts, where exCoasters reside, and whence they are pleased to associate themselves in the fit and proper purpose for which the funds are being raised. The lists generally will remain open for a time, and those who have not yet subscribed will still have the opportunity of doing so, while those who feel that they would like to supplement their donations, so that the full £1,500 will be achieved at the first time of asking, may do so also, Meantime, the Mayor’s congratulations and thanks to the people "or their ready response to the district fund are to be endorsed heartily.