Westland War Memorial

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1922, Page 2

Westland War Memorial

UNVEILING FIXEII FOR NOVEMBER 10th. THE EVE OF ARMISTICE ANNIVERSARY. Tlu> unveiling of the Westland War Memorial on Cass Square has been fixed for 2.30 o’clock on the afternoon of Friday, November 10th, the eve of the anniversary of Armistice Day, 1918. Colonel-Commandant R. Young, C.M. G., D. 5.0., Commanding the Southern Command of the New Zealand Defence Forces, of Christchurch, will unveil the Memorial, and deliver the occasional address. Col. Young, while on active service, was in command during portion of the* period, of the N.Z. Brigade, with which many of the Westland men were linked up, and is personally known to the men with whom he was held'in high esteem. In acknowledging the invitation to unveil the Memorial, Colonel Young wrotes:—“l wish to thank the Committee for the honour done me in inviting me to unveil the Westland War Memorial. I will be .very proud indeed to perform the ceremoiiv. I will arrive in Hokitika on Friday morning.” A meeting will be held on Thursday afternoon at -I o’clock at the County Chambers to arrange for the ceremony. An invitation is extended by advertisement in this issue to representatives of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, local Defence Forces, the clergy, choir masters, school teachers, Band, members of local bodies, Patriotic Society, and Lady Liverpool Committee to attend the meeting and co-operate in the fhial preparations.

It is intended to ask the Railway Department to delay the outward trains to Ross and to Greymouth till 5 o’clock on the afternoon in question. A platform will be ereted for tlio speaker, and seating accommodation provided for the parents and immediate relatives of the fallen. Wreaths may he deposits ed on the memorial, and the schools of the various districts are asked to forward wreaths in remembrance of the fallen from the various localities. The Rand will lie invited to render a, special selection for the occasion, and to provide the music for the hymns.

On the evening of the 10th November Colonel Young will he the guest of honour at the Returned Soldiers’ Reunion to be held in the Supreme Hall at 8 o’clock*.