SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1922, Page 5

SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL

GREAT DAY AT WESTPORT. By Telegraph.—Press Asan.—Copyright. Westport, June 3. In the presence of something over 2000 people, Lieut.-Colonel Mitchell this afternoon unveiled a fallen soldiers’ memorial in the form of massive marble gates at the entrance to Victoria Square. The gates were designed by Air. Munnings, of Christchurch, and the memorial was inscribed: “Gates of Remembrance,” with the names of some of the most prominent battle centres, and having a memorial tablet bearing the names of 190 fallen soldiers. Colonel Mitchell gave a very impressive address and, as he unveiled the memorial, a bugler played the “Last Post, ’ accompanied by the tolling of the lire bell, and followed by the playing of the Dead March by the garrison band. The National Anthem was then rendered. Colonel Mitchell and Airs. Stephen (the mother of a fallen soldier) led the way through the gates, followed by returned soldiers and the general public. Other features on the day were a town and country match, which was won by the country by 14 to 3. The first community singing in Westport took place, and a competitive copper trail was worked on a blackboard, with the Surf Club and the Buller Union and Hockey Club as competitors, the position of each competitor being recorded in feet as collectors who scoured the ground came in with their collections. The moneys collected went to the soldiers’ memorial funds.