COMMEMORATIVE.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1921, Page 2

COMMEMORATIVE.

MEMORIAL UNVEILED AT HARI HARI. Early yesterday afternoon there was a large and very representative attendance of the Inter-Wanganui district settlers and their wives nnd families at the entrance to the Hari Hari cemetery to witness the unveiling of the memorial gateway erected to the memory of the young men of the district who had laid down their lives in the great war. Mr W\ Thiele, .T.P., presided over a ceremonial which was marked by earnest fervour and respectful attention. The assemblage first sang some verses of the hymn “Abide With Me.” Mr Thiele thanked the people for their response to the movement to raise the funds for the memorial, and specially for their presence there that day to pay a tribute of respect to the fallen. They were glad to have their ex-soldier Member with them, and Air T. E. Y. Seddon was invited to unveil the gateway. Telegrams from the Hon J. Grimniond, AI.L.C. and Air B. Ward, County Chairman, were read. The gateway and tablets were draped by the Union Jack, and there was a profusion of floral wreaths deposited at the approach. Over the entrance were the words "Greater Love Hath no Alan,” and on the tablets the names of the fallen soldiers whose memory was being commemorated: — 11. Ferguson F. Smee F. Bryant R. Ifende J. Hemic J- Aturpliy C. Shearer O. Hansen J. Burrough A. Aluir J Johnstone Air Seddon quoted the noble words of the poet who himself laid down his liSo in the «;ar: “If I should die Think only this of me—

There is some earner of a foreign field That is for ever England.” Proceeding, he said they were gathered together that afternoon to pay a tribute to these men from the district, who made the supreme sacrifice for us in the great war. Tlie war record of the Hari Hari district was a proud one, and lie was indeed proud to see how well and faithfully the sacrifice of the men was being honor'ed. There on the outskirts of the Empire they were continuing to do their duty, and lie could not but fail to appreciate and to thank them for what they were doing so well. He spoke of the record of the New Zealanders at the front. Of Gallipoli where they had gone through their baptism of tire so nobly. He was able to recount personally many of the deeds of the AVest Coasters in France —at First Somme, Alessines, Passchendaele. and elsewhere. Those battle names were names

to conjure with now. for great bravery was displayed and noble deeds done to pave the way to final victory. In that task the West Coasters had play-

ed their part, how well was indicated bv such a function as that taking place that day, when they honored the memory of so many who paid the toll. Afr Seddon went on to refer to the national memorials to commemorate the deeds of the New Zealand on the battle-

fields in the Northern Hemisphere

and in the Dominion, and said they all had an interest in those memorials. The war had taught us many things, and

the war meant much to them all now. They wanted more efficiency, and above till they should have brotherly love. That was instilled into their minds i>v the everlasting quotation adorning the gateway the full expression of which was: "Greater love hath no man that he would lay down his life for his friend.” Addressing the children present, Mr ■Seddoti said the men whose memory they revered that day had died for a purpose, and left behind an ideal which all should try and live up to. They should all strive to be better men and women and unselfishly use their lives for the betterment of those about them. Mr Sedclon thanked the people for the honor-clone him that day. He was glad to be of any service to them and he appreciated the opportunity of lieing associated once again with the nten who had served them all so well and faithfully. He praised the kindly emotions of the people which prompted

them to raise the memorial and carry

through the task so decorously. Their gathering was a touching one, and he would carry in his mind always the tribute paid by the Hari Hari people that day to the memory of the fallen. The .rateway was then unveiled and Fie entrance opened. The assemblage then sang with great heartiness, the National Anthem. Within the cemetery grounds which have of late been put in very seemly order, and many trees planted, the relatives then passed with their floral wreaths. There is an English oak tree planted to the memory of each of the fallen men, and the names of each attached to the tree. At all the trees wreaths were respectfully deposited—a very touching tribute. Upward of £lO4 had been collected within the Inter- Wanganui district for the gates and gateway and the total expenditure had been £l7O. The balance in band was retained for the upkeep of the memorial and the. grounds I„ addition to the cash, there had been many gifts of valuable trees and shrubs, and eventually the ground-, which fronts the main south road — will wear a very ornamental appeara nee. A ladies committee is assisting with the work of ornamentation, and with the help of Mr T. E. White who has been quite the moving spirit in the whole movement, Hari Hari will long have a memorial well worthy and something to he very proud of.