MARSLAND HILL MEMORIAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 78, 28 April 1909, Page 4

MARSLAND HILL MEMORIAL

ITS HISTOKT. (By W. F. Gordon, Hon. Sec.) Having been requested to give an account of how the Marsland Hill monument, which is eretted to the memory of the Imperial and Colonial Force., "that fell in action or died during the Maori wars, came about, I will feel obliged if you will allow me space in your columns to do so. It lias a unique history, and is the outcome indirectly of Captain Mace, X.Z.C., lending me some photos. It appeared in this way. When on leave once, the captain drove me down to point out the correct localities where Captain Lloyd and the 57th party were killed, near Oakura, to enable me to mark the positions on the map ot the Survey Ollice. During the evening he lent me, to copy, two photos of Captain Close, 43rd Regiment, and Lieutenant Bally, 70th Kegiment—old friends of his, and both of whom wer e killed in action at Waiea. This prompted me to commence making a collection of photograph* of notable officers and men who served in Mew Zealand. 011 showing ray collection to Captain Mace, lie deplored the fact that, although there were memorials to those who fell in the Boer war, there was not one anywhere to those poor fellows who were '•knocked over" during the Maori wars. He had been endeavoring for years to get the matter taken up, all to no purpose. 1 then promised to assist him, and, seeing that there was no likelihood of getting the movement started in New Plymouth, wrote to those gentlemen residing in England and elsewhere who had contributed to my album, and enclosed the following circular, with the captain's approval:— l; New Plymouth, "September 25, 1005. . "Dear Sir,—lt has been suggested to erect a monument in this town in memory of the Imperial and Colonial soldiers who tell in this district during the Maori war. lam requested by Captain F. J. Mace, N.Z.C., the prime mover, to bring the matter under tho notice of officers of H.M. regiments that served here. Should this meet with your approval and support, and the movement is taken up, as there is every reason to believe it will be, will you kindly inform me if you will assist with a donation in furtherance of this object, and the amount you might feel disposed to contribute. Ido not desire any contribution sent till the matter ,'s taken up, when I will inform you. "I have the honor to be, ••Vours faithfullv. "WILLIAM FRANCIS GORDON, "Survey Office. The result was that the return mail brought me a sheaf of letters offering assistance, as follows:

General J. H. Bocke, C.8., late 18th R.I. Englaad .. £5 0 0 The Right Hon. Lord Mac-

naughten, Inland .. .. 10 0 0 His Exccllencey Sir C. Jl. Clarke, Bart., .Malta .. 10 0 0 (leneral Leach, C.U., late 50th Regt., England .. .. 50 0 General F. Colvile, C.8., laic 43rd Regt., England ~ a 0 0 Co). Jlullo.v, lute K.E.. Eu"land .' ° •' •' 0 Col. Churchill, late 50th Bv-V. England .. ~ ° ti 3o 0 Officers With Regt., England 5 5 0 Uen. Kalston, C.U., -tote 70th Regt., France .. ~ 330 Sir Wm. Russell, late Uth ~B i 'S ' -'*„!l !,stillS s •• •• 50 0 Captain lorey Tenuaut, kte 70th Regt., Taiiranga .. •> ■> 0 R- B. Craven, late H.MS. 'Xigcr, Parkhurst .. ' 110 WForsythe, late 18th 111, "angamii 10 0 Captain Achcson, kte Uotli' Regt. Ireland .. 0 10 0 Captain i'reecc, XJJ.u, l>almeiston North .. 110 Captain Rushton, Olmva '.'. 0 5 0 Being nearly XW. Cciieral Rockc •was very «atlmsia.,tic, and did not wait to Know if the movement would he taken up, hut sent his donation; consequently he was the first to contribute to the mnd, On receipt of these let:!lX %t Cat for . Ci 'Ptain Mace, and he, v.jth 0 hers, waited on the .Mavor (Mr L U) ' , who called * l' lllj '« feting on December 3, lyoii, when Captain Mace proposed "That a suitable memorial ,be erected on .Marslaud Hill to the memory ot the Imperial and Colonial torces who fell in action or died during Havmg exp lamed to the meeting what 1 a '"f- v d °nc, and the result caused me to be .put in for the .secretaryship. The movement was taken up and a can vass cominenced by some *, din n'„l 1 • " n<i ' 3h ,vas tUxt *d president and chairman, and, having resUed about a year ago, .Mr. .s. was elected to tli e position. .M ■. UoZ H ke 'l to^ Ul, ' r fOT abo >" t»o >)! 1 th ". ™ sul * of their labors l,oi„-r Hi". My work in connection with this Memorial to these brave me,\v 0 » the derenee of law a „d order a b the proverbial labor of love. u tl." from it of £m.-t^ M duUilti » W. F.UOBDOX. it had „ot been r" Mr (W if anee to me in th„ « i ■ ~<,n 3 u<i!*l- - ha e "een t r"""* ■ l,,en ' Marslaud HiU ToTiay mw »°** »» . . ' *'• J- -MACE, a . Captain.