THOSE INSCRIPTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 67, 15 April 1909, Page 4

THOSE INSCRIPTIONS.

To the Editor. Sir,—l read with interest Mr. W. Humphries' contribution about the further names to be inscribed on .he Marsland Hill monument. I i'ail to understand the indignation he expresses. Mr. Humphries, in objecting lu tuc names of certain local gcntk-,-en illscribed on the monument "quesions if any of the officers had anything to do ■with the wars." And, pray, wnat has that got to do with it! I'm sorry that I can't see eye to eye with Mr. Humphries, for I believe in placing on record not only the names of those gentlemen, but of the whole of the committee who have worked so nobly in this sacred cause. I would extend the order of reference, too, so that each subscriber's name, and the amount of his contribution, should be indelibly inscribed upon this tribute of our loyalty to the age that is past. Seeing that Mr Dockrill's name is there as treasurer and that he was drawn.into the movement because he was at the time Mayor of New Plymouth, why shouldn't the name of tlie present Mayor he handed to the sculptor also for inclusion in this all too circumscribed inscription! This suggests, too, the names of the leading settlers of the war times, and of the gentlemen cither of whom might have been Mayor of the town now had he been able to dofeat Mr. Tisch at the recent poll. Marsland Hill being now a public domain, under the control of Hie Rorough Council, I would like to see the borough councillors' names emblazoned in gold upon the monument, and the names of the whole of the Council's permanent staff. Of coarse, all councillors in olfice at the time His ex-Worship assumed the treasurership would be included in this invitation. All of these may be said to have had something to do with the monument. When I was waiideriag about Marsland Hill a week ago I noticed several men working like Trojans, getting the monument iuto position. I'm .sorry, sir, that I didn't get their names too.'for they had more to do with the erection of the monument than anyone else, and they ought certainly to have their full Christian names and surnamsc enshrined here, with perhaps Mr. Parkinson, their employer. It is unfortunate that Italy is so far away, or we juight have had all who were concerned in the fashioning of this lovely piece of sculpture. 'The good ship tliat brought the stone from Europe to New Zealand is known, no doubt, to the committee. Would it not be possible to have a small representation of the steamer, her name and tonnage, and the name of the captain who brought her safely to these shores, imprinted somewhere about the monument? And, now, Mr Editor, mcthinks I have scarcely left room for the insertion of the names and date of foundation of the two local newspapers which so ably backed up the committee in its efforts, but perhaps one of the four gentlemen are compelled by resolution of the committee to have their names carved in the stone will give up a portion for you'. There rrc many others who have every right to see their names made famous in this way, but I don't think there's room for any more. They can be continued in our next. Commending these, few remarks to the notice of the committee,— I am, etc., PATRIA.