MEMORIAL TO FALLEN.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 15 April 1920, Page 3

MEMORIAL TO FALLEN.

COTTAGE HOSPITAL IDEA

REJECTED,

About twenty persons attended the meeting called for last Thursday night in connection with the above matter. Mr Jas. Stewart occupied the chair.

Some objection was taken to the adoption of the minutes of the last meeting of the Memorial Committee (November 24th) two or three of those present contending that the Town Board had called the present meeting, when it should have been called by the Memorial Committee.

A good deal of discussion and explanation was indulged in, which ended amicably enough by the minutes being confirmed on the motion of Mr F, W. Strange, seconded by Mr J. JSTicholls.

A resolution passed by the Returned Soldiers' Association at a recent meeting, favouring a cottage hospital as a more suitable form of memorial than a monument, was read to the meeting.

Mr Nicholls took exception to the R. S. A. sending the resolution to^ the Town Board, and claimed that the Association had ignored the Memorial Committee in not forwarding the resolution to them.

Mr Stewart put forward his notice of motion, to the effect that the resolution carried by the Memorial Committee on November 24th (that the memorial take the form of a monument) be rescinded, and in lieu thereof "That the memorial take the form of a cottage hospital." Mr Stewart explained his action in bringing forward the motion, which he stated had been approved by all the members of the Town Board. Mr Matheson seconded the motion pro forma.

Mr Nicholls moved an amendment that the original resolution be adhered to. Mr J. Wilson seconded.

On a show of hands, a majority of those present voted for the amendment.

A further discussion ensued. Mr W. F. F. Raisher made a personal explanation as to his position in regard to calling the meeting. He stated that he was never in favour of the hospital idea. A few people who didn't attend meetings tried to upset the original idea.

Mr Jas. McLeod said that it was time the Memorial Comriiittee got to work. It was five months since the last meeting, and practically nothing had been done. He stated that so far as Mr Raisher was concerned no blame was attachable to him.

The meeting broke up with an expression of "Absolute rot " from one man, and a request from another that his name be crossed off the committee.

[Unless there is more unanimity, we are afraid the proposition will be no further advanced in another six months than it is now. —ED ]