THE WAR MEMORIALS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 187, 8 August 1919, Page 7

THE WAR MEMORIALS.

RESPONSES FROM THE PROVINCE. DIVERSITY OF OPINION. Several varieties of suggestions have come to the City Council in response to its action in submitting it's war materials proposals to local bodies throughout the province. The idea is to establish a museum on Observatory Hill in the Domain, and to build a fitting monument on the old dock site on tne waterfront. Some bodies are in favour, others are partially so, a few have other suggestions, and some write and say they cannot cooperate in the proposal. Mount Roskill Road Board approves the principle, Coromandel County Council wants to know the site and form of the memorial before committing itself, Devonport Borough Council assures hearty co-operation, while suggesting the memorial site might be left for more consideration. Tamaki West Board approves of the museum but does not like the idea of the monument on the old dock site, and Avondale Road Board thinks the same, and suggests also a conference of all interested bodies. The Newmarket Council approves the scheme, and intimates that it would canvass the district for funds to assist, while Takapuna offers any assistance other than financial, and the Gisborne Municipal Council turns the cold shoulder to Auckland and prefers to associate itself with Wellington. Cambridge in its turn advises that it is attending to its own local memorial, while from Birkcnhead, Matamata, Piako, Marua, Maungakaramea and Te Aroha come advices that they are unable to co-operate. POINT CHEVAMER FAVOURS MUSEUM. VETOES MONUMENT ON DOCK SITE. The following resolution was passed by the Point Chevalier Road Board:—"That this Board accord very hearty support for the erection of the museum in the Auckland Domain as outlined in the' Auckland City Council's war memorial scheme, but that the erection of a monument on the old dock site does not find any favour whatever with this Board, as we consider most emphatically that this form of memorial is unsatisfactory. We think that the construction of bridges and Toads, that are urgently required, would have greater public utility, and be a more fitting memorial for the purpose of perpetuating the memory of the brave men of the Auckland province, who gave their lives in the defence of the Empire. We are also of the opinion that it would not be a wise policy to spend £20,000 for the erection of the monument on a site worth £70,000. However, should the Auckland City Council still proceed with the erection of a monument this Board would suggest that it would be more fitting to erect the same in the Albert Park or the Domain, in close proximity to the proposed museum, it being distinctly understood of course, that this Board will not in any way support this part of the Council's scheme."' DEVONPORT MEMORIAL. The question'of a. -Devonport War Memorial wa3 discussed at length last evening by the Waitemata Chamber of Commerce, and the opinion of members ■having been obtained, it was eventually decided that all members be urged to attend the meeting called by the Mayor for the 14th inst. Comment was made that the place of meeting was not the most central one for the whole of the borough and it would have been better had the Mayor chosen a more central hall to discuss a matter of so great importance.