School War Memorial.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1921, Page 2

School War Memorial.

It is announced that next week, commencing on Monday 2Srd inst, 'will be collecting week in Hokitika for the above war memorial. An advertisement in this issue makes a silent appeal to scholars, ex-scholars and friends of the local State School to support the object in view—the rearing of a memorial to those ex-pupils of Hokitika State School who served in the Great War. There is a very considerable array of names entitled to enrolment on the pedestal of the war memorial, which it is suggested take the form of a round marble column, to be erected within the school grounds. The foundation for the memorial, it is proposed, to lay, on the King’s Birthday, next Friday fortnight. The date selected is a very appropriate one, and being a public holiday, should result in a very large gathering of people interested in the event, which marks something of an epoch in the traditional history of the State School. The local school has been opened now something like 46 years. In that" long period a long line of pupils has passed through the school, and many have drifted away from the Coast and are settled elsewhere. It is hoped to reach mailv of these with a circular telling them of the movement to record the heroic acts of those of the school who during 1914-1918 served in the war. Of the number who served, many fell, making the supreme sacrifice for' the cause of national safety. All the names of those who served which can be collected will be engraved on the memorial. The war memorial is to stand in the centre of an ornamental plot in the school grounds, facing Hampden street, where it will be at- all times an inspiration and a reminder of the part the School and its teachings played in the greatest event in history. The appeal for financial help should meet with a ready response from a public who have been always generosity itself where patriotic work has to be recognised. In connection with the laying of the foundation stone of the above Memorial which has been fixed for Friday, June 3rd, Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., wired to-day : “Hon J. Anderson, Minister of Mines and I will leave Wellington June Ist, arriving at Hokitika in time for the unveiling ceremony. Please submit programme.” The Minister of Education purposed being present originally, but hsm been detained by some pressing engagements •i the North Island, and it will be interesting to have Hon Mr Anderson as a very acceptable "substitute, he being Minister of M.ines. Enquiry is being made a& to the probable duration of the Minister’s stay and the extent of bis