UNVEILING CEREMONY.

Motueka Star, Volume IV, Issue 197, 10 July 1903, Page 3

UNVEILING CEREMONY.

The ceremony of unveiling the monument at the wharf was performed by the Mayor, Mr J. S. Wratt, last Wednesday afternoon in the presence of a very large gathering of people, representative of all parts of the district. The mounted coi-ps, to the number of 36, was drawn up in a line under their officers. His-Worship, in alluding to the purpose for whiHi the monument was erected, stated that while serving a threefold purpose as a memorial to the late Trooper Leonard Tairant, the accession of King Edward VII, and the celebration of Peace, it was also of great utility as a drinking fountain, provision being made by means of a force pump for a supply of water for horses and dogs in the front of the structure, while the requirements of .thirsty humanity were provided for also on the other side. The movement to erect the memorial had been initiated by Mr H. L. Moffatt, the wharfinger, who had solicited subscriptions for the work, and he had also been associated with the Committee, appointed by the coronation and peace committee, to see the work carried out. His Worship also spoke appreciatively of the late Trooper Tarrant's services to his country as a soldier who had died in captivity as a prisoner in South Africa ; stating also that a Queen's medal had been sent to the late trooper's parents since his death. He also appropriately referred to the tableted record of the accession of the King and the celebration of of peace, concluding his remarks by expressing his satisfaction that the memorial had been erected but regretting that the cost some ,£4O, was greater than the mone}' in hand, leaving a deficiency of .£l2 or ,£l3, which he trusted, now the matter .was known, would soon be subscribed. Addresses followed from Mr W. J. Moffatt, Chairman of the School Committee ; Councillor Trewavas, and the Rev. T. Johnston. Cr Trewavas in his speech mentioned the name of Trooper Harry Collins, who though not a native of the district, had been reared here, and had while away joined one of the contin-

gents, and had given his life for his country in South Africa. Mr H; A. Tarrant, father of the late trooper, sincerely thanked all who had assisted the effort to record his late son's services ; especially would he thank Mr Moffatt, the wharfinger, who was responsible for the movement and largely through whose efforts the handsome and useful monument was erected. He stated also that by having volunteered to take a comrade's place, his late son was taken prisoner. He had, however, been well treated by the Boers, when illl having every attention at their hospital. Mr Tarrant concluded by thanking all the speakers for the kindly sentiments expressed. The proceedings terminated by singing a verse of the National Anthem. It should be mentioned that at the ceremony of unveiling which consisted of removing the flag enveloping the front of th» monument which bears the tablet, the mounted corps presented a rras. The memorial committee were represented by the Mayor. Mr Jenkins, Secretary of the Coronation and Peace Committee and Mr H. L. Moffatt. The sum of £4: 12s 6d was collected at the gathering some .£8 odd being yet required. The monument is an excellent piece of masonry, the work of Mr Geo Miller of the firm of Miller and Sons, Nels m, and stands about 12ft high, being square in shape, of concrete and cement, and having a solid base with drinking founts in front, finished at the top with a heavily moulded cap, or top piece, and surmounted with a lamp. The side fronting the wharf hears a marble slab with the following inscription :—"ln memory of Trooper Leonard M. Tan-ant, a Member of the Ist N.Z. Contingent, Born February Btb. 1871, who died of enteric fever at Pretoria, South Africa, April 15th, 1900. Also, to Commemorate the Accession of King Edward VII., and the Celebration of Peace, 1 902. : .