RANGEWAEA.

Taihape Daily Times, 14 May 1919, Page 4

RANGEWAEA.

UNVEILING NOLL OF HONOUR

(Special Correspondent.)

A very pleasant and memorable function, was performed in the Raugiwaea Hall on Saturday, the 10th iust., when the Roll of Honour, containing the names of those from the district who "did their bit" in the great war, was unveiled.

Thanks to the fine weather a large number of settlers and many visitors from Taihape foregathered to take part in the proceedings. The ceremony commenced by singing the National Anthem, after which the chairman, Mr. P. Garmonsway. introduced, Mr R. W. Smith M.P.. and Mr. A. L., Arrowsmlth, of Taihape, both of whom, as the chairman remarked, were so well known in the district as to require practically no introduction Mr. R. W. Smith, addressed the gathering. He prefaced his remarks by stating the great pleasure it gave him to be present on such an occasion _ He stated how willingly every man had left home and dear ones to go and fight for the good of old Britain and for the freedom of living under her flag, and wo were met there to do honour to those who had gone forth so nobly and had helped to bring the war to so successful a close. He further wished to extend to all those parents and relatives who had. lost dear ones at the front his deepest sympathy. We should imprint in our hearts the noble deeds and noble parts played by our men, and as a means of softening the sacrifices made, ho could assure them all that the Powers that be have fully realised those noble deeds and parts played by our men. He was pleased to be able to tell these people that those sacrifices had not been in vain. In the Peace terms just published it showed that reparation would be made, and that the terms imposed by the Allies upon Germany gave no chance for evasion. He wished to commend the spirit of the people of the district for erecting the Honours Board. There was no better way of commemorating the deeds of such brave men than by placing in a prominent position such a board. It was only right to do so, not only for their 'sakes hut for posterity’s sake It was an example for, all time of ...the sacrifices each man, whose name appeared on that board, had made. These, men had imposed upon us a sacred obligation, and to do what was rgiht for them might mean extra taxation, and still further sacrifices for us, but we must meet it willingly in the same spirit in which they went and fought for us. He wished to impress upon those present that many who return arc not the men who went away. The trials and hardships they had endured had had serious effect upon them and wo must make every allowance for them.

Mr. Arrowsmith, who had been invited to unveil the Roll of Honour, said that he was at a loss w-hy he should have the honour of performing the duty. He knew of no special qualities he possessed that ho should be asked to do it, He, however, quite appreciated the honour - In erecting this Board a good example to the districts around, and especially to Taihape. had been set. He had often pointed out to the people their duty, in erecting a suitable memorial to those who had taken part in the great war. The people of Raugiw r aca had taken the lead and it was to be hoped that other districts would not be slow in following this example. The Board, he remarked, contained the names of 48 men and though the ditsrict was but samll and had no real centre of population, those 4S names showed that equally as large a percentage had gone from here as from any other district in the Dominion, and those

men, in conjunction with all others, have uphold the name of New Zealand not only at the front, but whilst on leave here and at Homo. They, too, had earned the distinction of being the best conditioned troops on the field. Mr. Arrowsmith regretted that he had been too old to go on active service, and though it had been hard on those who were too old, yet each one left had, in his own humble way, endeavouring to “do his bit” in New Zealand. In the future years, those

men whose names appeared on this i Board, and who now thought it but j a small honour, would come along, when j age had grown upon them, and would j be proud to see their names there_ He felt sure that the Board would be kept bright, and the gilding renewed when necessary, but though the gilding may fade, the memory would never fade. Of the 48 men whose names appear on the Board, 10 of those have a cross against their names. They will never return, and ho wished to express his deepest sympathy for the parents whose sons had fallen. He was proud of the fact that distinction had been gained by three of the men, but one has not lived to wear his medal, yet he felt sure that it would be very highly prized by his relatives in New Zealand ,and that his name would be

remembered as the name of one who gave his life that all might remain free.

Mr. Arrowsmith then unveiled the Honours Board, after which the National Anthem wa» sang.

At the termination of the Ceremony a dainty afternoon tea was partaken of.

The Roll of Honour is of very neat design. It. is of light oak and stands about six feet high! The are in tw 0 columns and arc done in gilt lettering. There are 4S names on the Board 10 of whom have paid the supreme penalty and against their names is a cross. Three have gained distinction;— H. W. Collier. M.C.. W. W, Olliver. M.M, and J. J. Jopp, MM. This last award was posthumon. The Board was designed by Mr F. W. Somerville, an the lettering was done by Mr. Strong, of Taihape. Following are the names:— H- W. Collier, M.C A. R Collier, E. Johnston, *J. McDowell M. H. Donovan C . D Murpll F. Kettle well, w. Stewart J Reardon n r , « . • C. L. A_ Murphy C. Murphy w . Bell R Q- Clements JUA.Bayno *K. A. Bayne 7’ Allen R Stubbing J. R. Stubbing B . stubbing W W - OWver, M.M, F . Collins W. Durham *M. Findlav N - P - Spooner D. D. Stewart * E ‘ R . Spooner y„ L . horde Jopp, M.M. J B Hogg W. Ward t. O’Connor J - Duthie a. swallow P. Sheehan R. c. Tuke J Stodart »J. Borthvsick, *N. C. Harris T. Hood *J. McDonnell D. S. Livinstone R. Aitchoson, J Ofßrien, D. O’Brien j. Reardon T. Reardon, G. T. Murphy