HONOURING THE DEAD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5508, 2 December 1929, Page 2

HONOURING THE DEAD.

MEMORIAL FOR WAIHI. CITIZENS TO BE CONSULTED. Waihi’s lack of a municipal war memorial was a subject which caused some discussion at the monthly meeting of the Borough Council on Thursday evening last (says the Waihi Telegraph). The matter was brought up after ordinary business had been dealt with, when Cr. (Dr.) T. G. Short, in drawing attention to the appeal that was being made for funds for a provincial roll of honour in the Auckland Wai’ Memorial Museum—an object with which he was in sympathy and to which everyone in a position so to do should subscribe —stated that the matter of having a memorial in Waihi should be considered. In most towns, he said, small as well as large, some sort of memorial to those who had died had been erected. In Waihi they had lagged behind, but he did not think it was too late. The Mayor (Mr W. M. Wallnutt) : Your idea, of course, would be a cenotaph. Cr. Short: “I am not suggesting that, though I think such a monument would be very appropriate. I am bringing up the matter because I think we have been very lax.” He added that he did not think they should just let the matter go. Those who died for their country should be kept’ ever present in mind, as a reminder and inspiration to the younger generation. He had no intention of glorifying war, which all opposed. The Mayor stated that the intention in connection with the beautifying of Martha Hill was to dedicate it next Anzac Day and to call it Anzac Park in commemoration of those who had made the supreme sacrifice. He would not like to have in Waihi the debates, arguments, and recriminations in regard to a memorial that had been experienced in a centre not far away. , “Do you think there is likely to be serious objection ?” asked Cr. Short. The Mayor : “If you had followed up the reports in the paper published in the town you might think so.” At the same time, he said, he agreed that Cr. Short was no doubt right in mentioning the matter. Cr. H. W. Hopkins said he thought tfyey all agreed with Cr. Short that Waihi should, without agreeing upon what form it should take, have some sort of memorial.

The Mayor : Decidedly. Continuing, Cr. Hopkins suggested that the council should spend some money on improving the park on Martha Hill and erect some simple memorial. In any case, he thought a public meeting should be called. Cr. Short again emphasised that he was not especially advocating a cenotaph, but said that if the park suggestion was adopted there should be some sort of a column on which the names of the men of the town who had died were inscribed. His idea in mentioning a memorial had not been that immediate action be taken, but rather that the sacrifice made should not be lost sight of. It was eleven years since the war.

The Mayor undertook to call a public meeting after the Christmas holidays to- decide on the best way in which commemoration could be made.