THE WAR MEMORIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1922, Page 6

THE WAR MEMORIAL.

NEW PLYMOUTH SCHEME. MAYOR TO HEAD 'COMMITTEE. “A VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN,” A meeting of the New Plymouth War Memorial Committee was held yesterday for the purpose of considering the resignation of the chairman, Mr. C. H. Burgess. Those present were the Mayor (Mr. F. lE. Wilson) in the chair, Messrs. F. J. Hill. W. J. Chaney, F. Hartnell, W. H. Skinner, C. Carter, J. R. Hill, W. J. Penn, A. M. McDiarmid. W. C. Weston, C. H. Weston, Archdeacon Evans, and Mesdames E. Walker, E. Doekerill, and C. H. Weston. Apologies were received from Mrs. McDiarmid, and Messrs. C. H. Burgess and P. H. White. In a letter to the committee, Mr. Burgess stated that he would’like it understood that he had all along been of opinion that the Mayor of the town should be the chairman, and past experience had only confirmed that view. The exchange of sites wifli the Harbour Board was practically arranged. The Mayor and councillors would he largely resnonsible for future arrangements, and it was, therefore, in his opinion, advisable that the Mayor should give the lead to the committee. After Mr. Burgess’s letter had been read, Mr. Carter said that, to test the feeling of the meeting, he would move that Mr. Burgess’ resignation he accepted with great regret, and also that he be thanked for his past services Mr. Carter said that he was sure from ' the tone of Mr. Burgess' letter that I his decision was final. ! Archdeacon Evans seconded, remarking later that he did so because he felt that Mr. Burgess had made up his mind that he would not continue in office. An amendment that a deputation wait on Mr. Burgess to ask him to reconsider his decision was moved bv Mr. Hartnell and seconded by Mr. Chaney. In reply to a question the Mayor stated that he knew of nn other reason for Mr. Burgess’ resignation except that stated in his letter, while, in renly to a suggestion bv Mr. McDiarmid that delay by the Borough Council in the exchange of sites might have something to do with it. he said that the council had not lost a moment. Unfortunately, the Harbor Board me# only once a month and that had been the reason for the delay. Archdeacon Evans mentioned that he was sure that Mr. Burgess, although he •had' tendered his resignation, would still continue to take an interest in the memorial. The amendment was lost and the motion was carried. The meeting then proceeded to discuss the appointment of another chairman. Mr. Wilson stated that he dis : agreed with Mr. Burgess that the Mayor should occupy that office. It was a citizens’ movement, but simply because one of the number happened to bo the head eftizen for a time, it did not follow that he should bo the chairman of every committee. .He was at present a member of the committee and also patron. Mr. Carter considered that the Mayor should be at the head of the movement, and with the borough ’ouncil behind him. should take the lead. It was not to the credit of New Plymouth that they were one of the last toy ns in the district to have a. memorial. The site had been arranged for and he thought they should make a. start right away in collecting funds. He moved that the Mayor bp appointed chairman. Mr. C. H. Weston seconded. There was no other nomination. Mr. Wilson said that before accepting office he would like it to be made plain that there should bp a great deal more activity than there had been in the past. To his mind, the committee should have sgt about raising funds before they had done anything about a site. The council had been blamed for delay in acquiring the site, but if they looked into the. matter they would see that the council were the only ones who had done anything at all. Tie said he would accept the office only on the understanding that a vigorous campaign for funds was made in the very near future. The motion was carried unanimously. The next meeting of the committee will be held to-day week.