MOUTOA SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL.

Shannon News, 14 July 1925, Page 3

MOUTOA SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL.

. UNVEILING CEREMONY. Although yesterday morning was cloudy aU (i cold a large number of Moutoa settlers and visitors from Shannon and Foxton gathered at the Moutoa school for the unveiling of the Soldiers' Memorial Tablet in memory of those boys from Moutoa, who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War. the ceremony being performed by Mr J. Linklater, M.P., who had motored through from. Palmers ton for the purpose. The ceremony opened with the National Anthem, followed by the hymn "Recessional," after which Rev. A. F. Stewart led with prayer and a short reading iro:n Psalm 46. Those present then sang the hymn, "O God our Help in Ages Past." MR LINKLATER'S ADDRESS. Mr Linklater, M.P., said he esteemed it a great honour to have the privilege of unveiling the memorial taiblet and opening the new gates in memory of the men-from Moutoa, who had given their lives in the Great War for justice and right. He said New Zealand, as a whole, had a. record of service in the war which she could be proud of, 110,368 merr having been on service and of this number 18,164 had fallen. Surely this was a great sacrifice for so small a Dominion. Npo memorial was necessary to remind us of their brave deeds, but it was necessary to remind the children and the generations to come of what our boys did, who fought in defence of the British Empire. The men whose names were inscribed on the tablet lay buried in, different parts of the world, but, he said, the sun never siets on the British Empire and equally the. same could be said in regard to our boys who died. We remembered theim in our time of peace. They died for their fellow men, their country and their God and it was some solace to parents who lost their boys ta remember that in time all had to pass and that these boys died doing their duty nobly and well.

I They shall grown not old, As we that are left -grow.old: Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn. At the going down of the auta And in the morning We will remember them.

No words of his could express his admiration for the ooys who left these shores; and his veneration for the mothers who sent their sons; and of his admiration of the nurses from i\e\v Zealand who attended the sick and suffering.

He then unveiled, the memorial to the glory of God and the men who left these shores in honour of King and Country. One minute's silence was then observed, after which Mrs S. Barber sang the "Requiem;," which was followed by Bugler Walls sounding the "Last Post," . the ceremony being brought to a close with"" the "Benediction." ■',- After the ceremony Mr Verity,, chairman of the School Committee, suitable thanked all those who had subscribed to the new gates and tablet and also those 'persons responsible for having the work carried out. The new gates are handsome in de-

sign and consist of a double iron gate with a smaller one for the children to enter by.. The three posts are rough cast with plastered oap and base and on the centre post the me- | niorial tablet lias ibeen erected where it will always, be in full ivdew of those passing to and fro. The school entrance has been laid down in concrete from the main door of the school along the side and out aibout Sit outside the gates where it has been finished off in the shape of a half circle. The whole gives the school approach a very fine and neat

appearance and reflects great credit on those responsible for the work. -The tablet bears the following inscription: "These gates were, erected in memory of the boys who left Moutoa. and were killed in the war, 191418." Then follow tin 1 names:—O. Alsen, R. Bowe, C. Bell, W. Campbell, F. Gibbins, F. Hall, S. Johnson, A. McDonald, J. Nelson, J. Prosser, M.

Poole and F. Smith. At the bottom are the words "Unveiled July 13th, 1925, by J. Linklater, M.P." At the corieliishn of the ceremony refreshments were handed around by the ladies who were accorded three heartv cheers bv those present, Mr Linklater asked that the children <be given a holiday for the remainder of the day, which was approved of by the Committee, the children -cheering Mr Linklater.