A SOLDIERS ’MEMORIAL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3341, 20 November 1919, Page 5

A SOLDIERS ’ MEMORIAL.

FIFTY POUNDS OFFERED.

‘(To the, Editor)

Sir,——Your correspondents’ letters on the subject of the erection of a. fitting ;‘memorial in Taihape- to our sons, ‘brothers, and fathers who sacrificed their lives in the great war that we might remain a free people, has caused me to think. It seems to me that a suitable memorial need ‘neither be a stained glass window, or an obelisk, which we know from experience soon ’cease'to attract attention. lHow few people there are in Taihape that can ofi-hand describe what statues they have walked past dozens of times in the Parliamentary grounds in Welling- _ ton? These are rather utilitarian days, when memo-rials are rather taking the form of wings to hospitals, public libraries, than to old-time use-

iess, in-the-way dull piles of stone call-

ed monuments. Our departed soldiers» ”‘ did ‘not lose their live‘.s for a useless pile of stones, and we can do- better than try to perpetuate their inemory

_ by making s'fained3,;’lass windows, or )” erecting obelisks that are of no use whatever. I would suggest, sir, that as our sons sacrificed their strength ? and lives for us we ‘cannot more logically follow their example than -by doing something that"'will assist in developing human life, strength, and ' prowess. The State has provided schools and colleges to develop the mental. side of human nature, but it does nothing worth mentioning in developing our physical nature until war overtakes them, then they crowd our young men into camps, trying to accomplish in a few weeks what they should have beeritrained in from their boyhood. This being so, can a more fitting memorial to the sacrificed life and strength of our boys be suggested than one which strong y tends to the highest development of those essential characteristics in the youth that is growing up, and who may yet have to ‘ fight for their homes and country In ' their Olympian games- the ancient Greeks brought physical development to being a science; they cultivated the ‘ physical nature, realising, that without the utmost strength, courage, vigour, prowess and mobility their young men were ill-equipped to stand against an enemy. Well,._sir, that .is my opinion about our youlngpmen, and ‘I -am much more than pleased to ._see that ‘the Tlaihape Athletic Association has been endowed with new life and vigour. I as so sure that a grand-stand, to enable mothers and fathers to watch the cultivation of the physical nature. of their children, being erected on the Taihape recreation ground is a most fitting memo-rial to our sons that I am prepared to join with a hundred other farmers in erecting," not a woodenpshed, but a lasting memorial, having rooms furnished‘ for the complete requirements of'our wzvesfiand daughters when they come to witness the competitions of prowess their sons Lind‘ brothers are taking part in. The building should be substantially erected in brick or contrete, and furnished in accord with modern requirements, particularly of ladies. Such a building could not be erected for less than £SOOO. and I feel sure that 100 farmers would not mind giving £SO each in providing for all time that comfort and convenience for their wives and children. whenever Olympic competitions are on, and when the Agricultural and Pastoral Shows are being held. £SO is '3. small amount ; to give for a most fitting memorial toi our fallen sons, that will also enablcl mothers to watch the strength and prowess of their sons being cultivated} for generations to come. ; I shall, Mr Editor, be most pleased: to contribute my £so_to so efi'ec/rive} la.nd'useful a. memorial, if 99 other‘: “farmers will do likewise; farmers. don’t want'to loaf on what towns-i people can provide for their wives and 1 "" daughters, I am sure, and I feel con-l fiden-t ‘that within a ifortnight ‘the { £SOOO will be available for furnishing‘ Taihape with one of the best and most serviceable memorials to soldiers that‘! is erected in New Zealand, one that: can bear the names of our boy; in‘ a) ,prominent position; One that will always V-impress us by its very useful-fl ness, one most fitting because it helps to inculcate what our sons sacrificed. I apologise for taking up so much’ Of 7011!‘ space, but I am sure farmers! around Taihape would rather contri. bute £SO '€oWal‘ds what I advocate than 1 ‘make use of any wooden shed ‘that’ Taihape townspeople can erect TownsP 301310 51101115: hoWeVer, endeavour to! raise £SOO to beautify the surroundings of the £SOOO brick or ‘concrete’ /structure farmers are going .250 bump , p ; suggest that each farmer should‘ hand his cheque for £SO to the Presicdent of the A. and P. Association.—l ‘ hm:,stc., JOHN COLLINS. I H . Opaea. I