MEMORIAL HALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17282, 25 September 1916, Page 4

MEMORIAL HALL.

IN HONOUR OF DARFIELD SOLDIERS, FOUNDATION STONE UNVEILED ON SATURDAY. Dariield has been early in the. field in the erection of a memorial in connection with the war, and on Saturday, afternoon the unveiling of the foundation stone- of a soldiers' memorial hall was made under happy circumstances. Tho Hon G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Mr George Witty, M.P., were among the numerous guests, and tho attendance was representative of all classes in the Darfield district. The hall ia situated in the main street immediately opposite the railwav station, and should prove an architectural acquisition to tho township. It is being erected to commemorate tho heroism and patriotism of the DarfieM men who went out to servo tho lung and the Empire in the South African campaign, as well as those, now numbering about fifty, who have gone on active service in tho present great conflict. Tho building has a red brick base, and will have timber sides and an iron roof. .The dimensions over all will be 91ft by 32ft, the mam room being 53ft by 32ft. The usual auxiliary rooms will also be provided The contract price is £IOSO, but with the furnishings and equipment the total cost will be about £ISOO. The hall will be managed by a patriotic committee or fifteen members, and financed on regulations in accord with the Incorporated Societies Act. No definite. amount oi capital has been fixed, but shares amounting to £IOOO have already been subscribed. These shares are of to each and will carry no interest or dividend. Any profits .from the hall wiU be givon to patriotic or other public purposes. The building is expected to be completed about the middle or December. The architect is Mr J. b. Guthrie, of Christchurch, tho contractor being Mr L. B. Davenport, of Linwood. In due course tablets showing the record of each soldier will be placed on the walls of tho hall. m Mr H. A. Knight, chairman of the committee, welcomed tho Minister and said that Mr Russell's presence was much appreciated, as all know the many duties a Minister was called upon to do'in these busy times. Darfield tor vears past had been indebted to ■ the Roman Catholic authorities for the loan of a building for public meetings, but it was felt that it was time a public hail should be erected. Thei-shares were voluntarily subscribed and the fact that. no dividends would be paid would save the shareholders any trouble-arising from tho War Excess Act. (Laughter.) The committee had purchased the section on which the hail stood, and next to it was a township reserve. Some aifficulties had arisen regarding transferring, this reserve to the committee and he hoped the Minister would be able to help them to overcome these difficulties. , Mr Witty congratulated tho district on its progress during recent years, and Hgid that the people of Malvern County had not only sent a good, number of men to the front, but had also put their hands into their pockets for the various potriotio funds. , The Minister invited Mrs H. A. Knight to unveil the foundation stone, which she did by neatly rolling the flag that covered it. Mrs Knight was presented with an inscribed silver trowel as a souvenir of the occasion. Mr Russell, who was cordially received, expressed his) pleasure at being present, and said that he attended as the Canterbury representative of the National Government, to show the Government's appreciation of tho excellent work done by the Darfield people for the boys at the front. He was glad that the men who fought in the South African war had been remembered. Iv wtis an impressive fact to remember that the total number of men sent by New Zealand in tho South African war was 6505 the deaths in action and from disease being 230. Yet fifteen years later this young country had already sent. 50,000 men to the front to help in this prosent great conflict and thousands more were in training, and whatever happened tho necessary reinforcements would bo sent. (Hear, hear.) The Government had hoped that the compulsory powers of the Military Service Act would not have been necessary to enforce, but with the present slump in recruiting it seemed that before long it would be necessary to exercise these powers. The Government would not shrink from its responsibilities, but would do all that was necessary to carry out the pledge to the Mother Country to the very letter. (Applause.) The Minister concluded his speech by a brief survey of the present position of the Allies in the war, and declared his faith in their final victory. Cheers were raised for tho King, the Minister, Mr and Mrs Knight, the lads at the front and the girls they had left behind them. The singing of the National Anthem ended the ceremony. Mill. Valentine, the honorary secretary, had charge of the arrangements, which proved very successful. The Darfield Soldiers' Sewing Guild conducted a sales marquee in aid of the funds of tho Guild, very satisfactory business boing recorded. Mrs Knight (president) and Mrs W. T. Cooke (secretary) were prominent workers. The stall-holders were as follow:—Refreshments, Mesdames J. Simpson, J. Calder, W. Clinton, W. Mulholland, Parkinson, Hennessey, Sanson. Willsteed and We«twood; produce, Mesdames J. T»eid, D. GHlanders and Miss M'llwraith; flowers, Mrs J. Redfern. Misses Jarman, Latt ; mer and E. Redfern; sweets, Misses W. Jarman, M. Redfern and Mulhollnnd.