THE MONUMENT MOVEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 87, 8 May 1909, Page 6

THE MONUMENT MOVEMENT.

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Adolph Kyngdon, Josias Hoskin, and i .). C. Davies to investigate and report ; on the fund and to suggest a nivalis of dealing with it. This eohimittce spent a great deal of time and trouble, and submitted a report, stating in effect that the fund had increased from £6OO to £loUo, but had been reduced by losses to about £6OO, which was then available. The rules drawn up by Major Atkinson and adopted by the members, provided that the itind should be invest- | ed and the interest used annually for title matches, social gatherings, or in any way members should vote at the annual meeting. 'As to dealing with it otherwise, the committee recommended that as Poverty Flat (then Crown land) could be Obtained, provided that it should always be available for drill purposes, new trustees or a board should be appointed to take over the property, erect a building suitable for a drillshed, and for agricultural and horticultural exhibitions; also that a monument and drinking fountain combined should be erected to those who fell in the Maori war. At the meeting held to consider this report, the members, by a small majority, decided in favor of dividing the fund, and so the monument business was shelved for a time. The origin and disposal of this fniril is another story. Except for occasional remarks nothing further was done until at one of the meetings of the Veterans' Association, Captain Mace referred to the neglected grave of Sergeant Fahey, who fell at \Yaireka, and to the neglect to erect a memorial to those who fell in the war. lie suggested that a fund might be raised to erect a memorial on Marsland Hill. Captain A. Standish and Lieut. J. C. Davies heartily supported the suggestion, but pointed out that it was too big an order for the Veterans to undertake, and that the pulblic should be asked to take the matter up. A committee was then appointed to enquire , into the matter and report to a public , meeting in about a month's time. The committee held two meetings in August, 1!)05, and, after full discussion, decided: \ "That consideration of the matter be '. postponed until the committee think a . more favorable opportunity arrives for . again taking the matter into consideration."

The mnttvr was again shelved for a time until at a future Hireling of the Veterans the matter was, 1 again brought up. Captain A. Standish. Captain Mace, and Lieutenant .1. C. Davies were appointed a deputation to wait on the Mayor (Mr. K. Dnckrill) and ask him to convene a public meeting fo consider the question of erecting a niimuiiieiit. Th,. meeting was held, and a committee appointed, with Mr. Cordon as secretary and Mr. Dockrill as treasurer. Subsequently a circular drafted by the chairman was widely distributed, stating, inter alia, that at a meeting of the committee, held immediately after the public meeting. Capt. A. Slnnnisli" was appointed chairman of the eoniniitee. The proposal to erect a memorial was being heartily supported by the people of New Pivtnoutli. and there was' no doubt would be hi pther parts of the colony. Marsland Hill, the site selected for the erection of the memorial, was in every respect a most suitable place. The hill was near the centre of the town of New Plyniont'h. and stood high above it. commanding a view of the town and surrounding district, and was a spot of historic interest. Tl was the site of the first military barracks' erected in Taranaki. and -was the head military quarter* both before and throughout the Maori war in this part of the colony. Whenever the town was threatened by the rebel natives, and on all occasions of alarm or danger, it was to this hill the women anil children rospHed as the place of safety.

' A small number of the committee commenced active o*ratious, ami a canvass of the town met -with liberal support. Tlu 1 movement was thus fairly started. and Subscriptions began to flow in from outside in response to the circular. The chairman. Mr. Staiidish was very enthusiatie and devoted considerable time and trouble in obtaining the historic *ite on Marslaml Hill; obtaining a subsidy or' €3OO from-the Oovemmeat; interviewing members of Parliament and porting them up in the matter: obtaining a remission of import duty un the marble monument; heading a deputation to the Harbor Board for stone, which was granted; obtaining the free fsorvicv* of the architect, Mr. T. to supervis e the work, ami numerous other tilings. He received able and enthusiastic aid from Mr. W. V. flordou. the secretary. Mr. Standish then resigned his position, stating a< a reason that as the bulk of the work was now done he could not devote more time to it. Mr. S. Percv-Smith was then appointed chairman, a*nd has presided over the meeting* and performed the usual duties falling to the lot of chairman with credit to himself. Mr. Smith was loth to accept the olliee. believing that it was due to Mr. to continue in the position intil th.« work Jn> lvt'l so sueee>'sfuliv undertaken should reach its climax in the erection and unveiling 01 the monument.