ROBERT BURNS MEMORIAL!

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1922, Page 2

ROBERT BURNS MEMORIAL!

statue decided upon. A meeting was held at the County Chambers last evening, convened by advertisement, when it was resolved to erect a statue to Robert Bums, the Scotch poet, iu Hokitika. There was a fair attendance. The absence of Chieftain Davidson was apologised for, and Mr F. McGregor was voted to the chair, and explained the object of tlie meeting.

Mr Evans stated Mr William Patrick- of Gibson Quay had offered to do. nute £125 to a Robert Burl#, memorial in Hof'itika Enquiry had been made and it was ascertained a suitable statue on a pedestal would cost in the region of £3s(f The figure would be six feet high and the pedestal (over all) six feet, making a total height of 12 feet. The figure of Burns to be prepared from a special model, would he in best selected Sicilian marble. denoting the Ploughman Poet in his field garb, in a contemplative mood depicting “The Vision.” The, statue would be quite a striking one, and se«ing that more than a third of the cost was promised at the outset it would In* in the interests of the town and district to acquire the memorial for the further ornamentation of the town.

The proposal was generally approved, it mi the Following Committee, with potter .to add to their number bras..appointed -Messrs G. Davidson, W. Patrick, F. McGregor, .Ins. King, A. B. Boyd, H. A. Thompson, ,T. McDermott. W. E. Richards, A. Wogan, and D. J. Evans. The last named was appointed honorary secretary.”

Various measures for raising the £225 estimated to be required were suggested. It was indicated that Mr H McLean, the local picture entertainer, had offered to give a benefit, and the offer was accepted with thanks. Messrs King and Evans were deputed to irrnnge for a suitable date. It was decided to ask Mr Gibbons to organise a special concert in the Town Hall at a convenient time. Also to asx the Caledonian Society to arrange a Scotch Gathering to assist- in raising funds.

A proposal was adopted to invite donations. and to ask the country people to eoiltrihtie. Circulars will be distributed to that ehd and subscriptions invited. It was agreed also to appeal to the Caledonian Societies throughout the Romiilioil for financial help towards perpetuating the memory, < f Burns in this part of New Zealand. The offer of Mr H. A. Thompson to supply the completed statue for a sii.u of not exceeding £350 was accepted, and Mr Thompson asked to order t' <• monument at once. It was estimate l it would Ik* received and erected wit iin six months'.

It was resolved to open an account at the Hokitika Savings Bank in the names of Messtv McGregor, King and Evalisi iilid to have nil nielli,is lodg'd to ("edit flier-

Tlu* meeting was unanimous in the selection of a site. That chosen was ir. the centre of the enclosure in Cass •Square, behind the large gun near the corner of Bedov and Weld streets. Il wa s resolved lo write the Borough ■Council asking "erniission to erect tie memorial on Die site referred to.

The meeting was a unanimous and spi-

rited one, much enthusiasm being shown in regard to the movement. The feding was expr-ssed that the funds required would be quickly raised, no a that a concrete decision had beeil.reached ns to Jie trie and location of Vie memorial. It vas mentioned that several donations had been promised and would be pav’ble now tint the Committee had he n set up and responsibility assume] lr ordering the statue. A vote of thanks to the chair <ymdtided quite a successful meeting.