WAR MEMORIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1922, Page 5

WAR MEMORIAL.

NEW PLYMOUTH PROJECT. FURTHER PROPOSALS MADE. GATES TO EUKEKURA PARK. Suggestions that the war memorial in New Plymouth take the form of suitable entrance gates to Pukekura Park, and a cenotaph, were made at last night’s meeting of the Pukekura Park Board. The subject was introduced by the chairman of the board (Mr. C. E. Bellringer), upon whose proposal the following resolution was carried: “That a deputation be, appointed to wait on His Worship the Mayor to make enquiries concerning the proposed war memorial, and ascertain if it is intended to proceed with the scheme. If they deem it advisable the deputation to request the Mayor to call a public meeting to further consider the subject; that the deputation be Messrs. Weston, Hughes and the mover; and that the Sports Committee and the Returned Soldiers’ Association be invited to join the deputation when it waits upon the Mayor.” In the course of his remarks Mr. Bellringer said his reason for moving the motion was that the present war memorial scheme seemed to have fallen through, and there was a feeling in the minds of a great many that something should be done. The sports committee in charge of the Recreation Grounds were rather anxious to have gates at the Liardet Street entrance to the park that would be worthy of the park. If the other scheme was to be abandoned, and it seemed to be so, as the land was not forthcoming, it was opportune to take up some other line of action. Personally he felt it was rather a reproach that the town had done nothing in having a memorial erected. The returned soldiers were also keerily interested in the fatter. They had a tentative scheme among themselves for a cenotaph, and spoke of raising a fund, but he thought it would be an everlasting disgrace if the men who had gone to the front were compelled to put their hands in their pockets to erect a memorial to their fallen comrades.

Mr. Bellringer thought that a suitable memorial would be an arch and gates to the park, which would be there for al! time. The sports ground would naturally be the centre for young men, and a memorial as proposed would always be a reminder to the young people, and an appropriate form of commemoration. He believed that eventually they could do something which would be a credit to the town and worthy of the men who fell. The returned soldiers desired something in the nature of a cenotaph, the suggested cost being about £lOOO, and the two schemes could go hand in hand. Mr. Bellringer said he thought the most suitable place for a cenotaph would be at the corner of St. Aubyn and Egmont Streets, but the details, of course, would have to be gone into to see if the proposal Was feasible. Perhaps the layout could be arranged so that traffic would run on both sides of such a memorial. Mr. Bellringer said he had discussed with the chairman of the sports committee and representatives of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and they felt that the time was ripe for a move. A further suggestion had been made that, the official opening oi the sports ground might, be held on Anzac Day, as the grounds 7 would be ready by that time. A suitable service would be an appropriate way of perpetuating the memory of the men who developed themselves on the sports ground. The suggestions were commendable, and, if taken up, would no doubt result in a proper service to the memory of the men. In regard to the' general memorial question, he pointed out that every little country place had its memorial, while New Plymouth, the chief town of the province, had done nothing. Of course circumstances bad been against the movement. Mr. Bellringer explained that he had brought up the matter as the board, who were all interested in the development of the park, could do much to help. The motion was seconded by Mr. H. Dempsey, and, after being briefly supported by other members, was carried.