A SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3342, 21 November 1919, Page 4

A SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL.

E In a. letter published yesterday Mr { John Collins certainly made out: a very ?fair case for deciding upon the erection of a grandstand on the recreation ground as -a memorial to Taihrape soldiers who went to" the war, and made the _supreme sacrifice in defending their ‘people,’ homes, and c_ountry§ The sugg‘e—s_tion',‘t'llat ‘farm-el's' should’ build a istructure, having" rooms‘ comfortably. furnished, "and every provi? sion made for» comfort " and convenience ——rooms and conveniences that would provide all that is requisite to constitute a temporaryhome for wives, mo-thers, and ldaughters’ during a full’ day’s outing—-is undeniably one that will appeal to a large number of people. Without any ..i'pl'eltence of“ dis» cussing the proposal in detail, We may say that Mr ‘Collins’ is ull<l‘op&btc3dly convinced that. rooms, with necessary comfort and conveniences will never be provided for ladies in the country who desire to come in-to town for a day’s holiday and witness the athletic competitions in which their sons or friends areltaking part, or see the show, in which cattle, sheep or horses from their farms are competing, unless farmers themselves find the money, and he backs up his conviction by oifering to be one‘ of the hundred farmers to give £SO towards wlzat is required. It would not be at all out of place to have the names of the soldiers whose memory is sought to be honoured prominently and imperisll- - displayed on the structure, and we are not sure that Taihape residents would not like to see the names of the fariner donors also inscribed, as the building would be a lasting mOnu~ ment, not only ct’ our lost soldiers, but of the generosity of.Taihape farmers who have already gained a place second to none in New Zealand for -‘their giving to patriotic purposes. It is also meet that the money should come through the local Agricultural .and.!‘ ‘Plaster-al -Association. A £SOOO structure would be a gift to the town for which no thankg could convey the gratitude of the people, now‘ and long into the future. The one wan-t above all others on the recreation ground is provision for ladies from the country; ample restrooms, and kitchen ‘conveniences are a necessity, a humane demand, and we hope that the project will appeal to 99 farmers besides Mr Collins for it is admittedly an urgent demand. Built in brick or concrete, the building would be a permanency. Mr ‘Collins discards any idea of building in wood, as that would constitute no lasting In em orial . 1