HATCHMENTS FOR ST. MAR'. S CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 235, 16 October 1901, Page 2

HATCHMENTS FOR ST. MAR'. S CHURCH.

m i t The Auckland Herald says :—" Our Bay I of Islands correspondent writes: —The Yen. J Archdeacon Walsh is just sending away a I [fourth insta'ment of hatchments, painted in I

his intervals of leasure in his quiet home at Waimate North. They are to be set up with those i>hat hava gone before, in the Church of St.Mary's, New Plymouth. The interior of the church is of the local stone, of dark blue colour, and so provides a good back ground for the paintings. This instalment raises thß numb3r to 10. The former ones were (1) XLI, Monmouthshire Light Infantry; (2) LXV. 2nd York-bire Kegiment j Royal Bengal Tigers); (3) XVIII. Royal i Irish, whose colour bears the oldest honour in the arms the Lion of Nassau; (4) LXX. Surrey Kegiment; (5) Royal Marine Light Infantry; (6) the Volunteers and Militia ,in one. Those going forward now *re (7) XIV. Buckinghamshire Regiment (Prince of Wales' own); (8) XL. Second Somerset Regiment (colour with 40 honours) (.9) LVII, West Middlesex; and(10) LVIII., Rutlantshire Regiment, the old Black Doffs. A. replici of this hatchment is prepared for the Waimate North Church. For the most part each hatchment contains the pair of colours belonging to the regiment, painted from information furnished by the several regimental authorities, filled in with tha correct distinctive markings. They are not only works of art, but they afford material for interesting historical study Archdeacon Walsh hopes to continue the scries by adding a hatchment each for the Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, for H.M.s. Niger, whose bluejackets helped the colonial troops to turn the battle at Waireka, when some others were minus. One for the friendly Maoris, and for one or two other iine regiments. The intention is to commemorate the officers and men of all the regiments engaged in the war, of which Taraniki was the centre." The date for the formal unveiling of thsee hatchments have not yet been announced, bat it, will probably be early in November. A suggestion has been made that advantage should be taken of the opportunity to recogin some way Canon Walsh's labour of love, and also Mr W. H. Stinner's enthusiasm in this noble work, whereby the <'f those who preserved the lives snd property ef fie ear v settlers is being fittingly commemorat'd for all time, and St. Mary'g Church m-ide historical, as well as sacred.