BIRKENHEAD HEROES.

WAR MEMORIAL. CEREMONY ON SUNDAY. The ceremony of unveiling the Birkenhead war memorial takes place at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The memorial, erected in memory of those members of the community who fell in the Great War, makes no pretence at magnificence or grandeur; and yet is distinct in its simplicity and modesty. Apart from its primary purpose, and the fact of its being a permanent and substantial land-mark, it serves a dual practical utility, in that it dispenses two of the most important needs of man, namely: Light and water. The site chosen is a valuable one, being in the centre of the business portion of the borough. An area of eighteen perches adjacent to the Civic Reserve—upon which stands the municipal offices—has been dedicated inalienably to the citizens for the single purpose of handing down to succeeding generations the remembrance of all that is inferred by the memorial and its historical and self-sacrificing significance. The area, integral with the Civic Reserve, is tastefully laid out in rockery, lawn, paths, and shrubs. Tn the centre of the dedicated triangular area rises the memorial. The base consists of two tiers of steps in concrete, octagonal in shape, about 9ft 6in across! upon which is built a massive block of rough-hewn grey granite, indicating strength. On the north side is ed a bowl or drinking tap. Above this are four polished red granite columns, which fittingly represent the virtues of Duty, Service, Fidelity, and Justice, which are based upon strength of purpose. Empannelled on each side and between the columns are four polished black panels bearing inscriptions. Above this, a very beautiful floral standard in bronze, embodying the olive leaf and branch, and the Victor's wreath, supports an opal globe enclosing an electric light. The light forms part of the Borough Council's electric lighting scheme of the thoroughfare, and is, therefore, illuminated every evening from sunset till midnight. The general design was the work of Mr. Frank Finch, C.E., engineer-town clerk of Birkenhead. Messrs. McNab and Mason, of Auckland, were the contractors for the masonry, whilst the development of the bronze floral work and pattern making was undertaken by Mr. W. Andrews, of Heme Bay. The bronze work was cast in the foundry of Messrs. Millar, Patterson, and Lees, of Auckland. The memorial, apart from the value of the dedicated memorial area upon which it stands, has cost approximately £300.