THE FEATHERSTON MEMORIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4799, 9 August 1876, Page 3

THE FEATHERSTON MEMORIAL.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —Apublicmeetingistobe held to-morrow evening, to receive recommendations from the committee appointed by the preliminary meeting held on the 24th July, and to decide what form the memorial to the late Dr. Featherston should take, and how the requisite amount of money can best be raised. It would be well to notice the action taken by the committee (if the report in the newspapers be correct). They have not only taken into consideration the matters relegated to them by the public meeting, but have decided that “ subscriptions should bo devoted to prosuring a marble bust of the late Dr. Featherston, any surplus to form a nucleus of a fund to be appropriated to the erection of a Featherston Benevolent Institution.” So says the report in the Times of August 1. In this I think that the committee went beyond its powers, and I hope all those whose desire it is to see the memorial take the form of some useful institution will attend the meeting to-morrow night, and reverse the decision of the committee. Let the subscriptions be first of all devoted to the Featherston Benevolent Institution, and if there be any surplus, gratify the vanity of those who want to have a bust or statue. I know many who will give nothing at all if they know that the money is to be uselessly spent, as it will be if devoted to the purchase of a bust or statue, but who, if they see that some real 'good is. to be done, will give largely. I would call attention to another matter. The committee was empowered to add to its numbers. A meeting was held on the evening of the 31st July, and it was then decided to add the names of certain gentlemen; but for what' purpose ? The committee, without consulting with these gentlemen, came to a decision upon the whole question, and are now going before the public meeting, having done that which the public meeting itself was, by resolution carried on July 24th, intended to do.—l am, &0., S. F. S, Wellington, August 8.