DISTRICT WAR MEMORIAL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4332, 19 October 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT WAR MEMORIAL

PUBLIC MEETING.

NO. CHOSEN.

ARCHWAY AND SHELTERS. A public meeting was held in the Central Theatre evening for the purpose of discussing the proposed war memorial to the soldiers of Paeroa and district who lost their lives in ;the Great War. His Worship the Mayor (Mr P. E. Brenan) presided.

An apology for absence was received from Mr Ri W. Evans*

The Mayor 'expressed his disappointment at the paucity of the attendance, but pnesumed that, as usual, the citizens were content to leave the work to the active few. He was sure the smallness oflihe attendance was not ap indication of the measure of the people’s gratitude. The town clerk (Mr P; C. Furley) then read the committee’s report. “After many inquiries and careful consideration we have ceme to the conclusion that the memorial should take the form of an ar,ch, to.be erected at the Arney Street entrance of the Domain, the necessary funds t? be provided by public subscription, t,he district to include the Borough of Paeroa and surrounding districts, including Netherton and Komata.

“Your Committee are of pfe opinion that it would be very fitting <df the memorial could be completed and unveiled on.next Anzac Day, April 25, 1922, and donors should be informed that fheir subscriptions would not be required until!,, say, December of this year, bub the whole of the necessary funds should be assured before the work is undertaken.

“Your Committee) begs to submit designs 1,. 2 and 3, which have been prepared by Mr Gillman, who’has devoted much time and expense towards the preparation of the plans and details,/ and we desire to place on record our appreciation of his services.

“We are of the unanimous opinion that design No. 1, at an estimated, cost of £1350, is the inost suitable for the purpose, but if citizens arei of the opinion that .the sum is too large to raise by public subscription, then your Committee recommends design No. 2, ‘at an estimated cost pf £B5O, as an alternative. *'*■ "A third ' design, No. 3, estimated to cost £1250, is also submitted. In recommending design No. 1 your Com!mittee recognises that the estimated cost is a considerable sum to raise by public subscription, but its adoption pr otherwise is a matter which the public who have to provide the money must decide.”

The. designs are on view in Councillor F. E. Flatt’s shop window. To make a long story short, passing over all the maze of motions and amendments, suggestions for fresh designs, divergencies of opinion about the site, etc., etc., the meeting finally decided that a memorial arch be erected a.t the Arney Street (Thames Road) entrance to the Domain, the design No.- 2., The chosen design consists of an arch, the curve of which is what is known as the "elliptic' curve,” being .considered by authorities on architecture as the most beautiful of. all curve designs. The panels and other openings will also be headed by elliptic, curves.. in harmony with the main entrance. One side of ttt,e arch will contain a general shelter enclosure, and .the other a ladies’ shelter, purely . and simply, with seated .Merhorial grariite tablets will be inset in panels, the inscription being in block, gold lettering.

The dimensions are : Main entrance 14 feet, by 11 feet tp the crown of the arch and 18 feet total.height; .sides 12 feet by 11 feet depth. The total width, including arch and sides, will he 28 feet. The walls will be in concrete rough cast,.with margins plain. The roof will probably be of grey Welsh granite, and ,the .whole structure, it is anticipated, will harmonise with the surroundings. The following general committee was elected subsequently: His Worship the Mayor (Mr P. E, Brenan) 1 , Cr. A. R. Robinson (chairman Ohinemuri County Council); Rev. W. J. Enticott, E. W. Poripitt, V, bunlop, B. Veale, E. Fathers, Cr. w' Marshall, Cr. W. Johnstone (Ohinemuri County Council), Rev. F. McDonald, D. Munro, Rev. F. Dobson; J. L. Hanna, W. J. Towers, G. H./ Taylor, G, P. de Castro, G. Death. W. Bain, G. Lamb, Rev. Father Dunphy, J. W. Siltepck, A. R. Gerris, Cr. Marshall offered to - supervise the finance, provided the local body was made treasurer. —Carried with applause. The Mayor was appointed chairman of the committee, the Rev. McDonald Secretary; and Mr J. L. Hanna organiser.

The following executive was appointed : Or. Marshall, E. E. Gilhnan, J. L. Hanna, G. Lamb, W. J. Towers, and the chairman and secretary ex-officio. Canvassing committee : G. Lamb, J. W. Silcock, A. White, Rev. W. J. Enticott, W. Bain, with power to add.