MEMORIAL UNVEILED.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 207, 30 August 1920, Page 2

MEMORIAL UNVEILED.

TABLETS TO MAORI WAR VETERANS. CEREMONY AT HO WICK AND PAN-MURE. The four memorial tablets erected in memory of the Maori war veterans buried in the Roman Catholic cemeteries at Howiek and Panmure, were unveiled yesterday afternoon. Stirring addresses were delivered by Sir Frederic Lang, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who performed the ceremony at Howiek, and 'by Dr. H. W. Cleary. Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, 'who officiated at Panmure. Other speakers included Messrs. Edward Fitzpatrick, P. Quinlan, and P. Malone. The four tablets contain the names of 126 veterans, including a large number of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles, a corps of time-expired Imperial soldiers who were specially selected for their good character, vigorous health and capacitv for settlement in a new land. Upon the representations of Sir George Grey, at that time Governor of the colony, this force was sent out and distributed along what was then the southern border of Auckland, as a bulwark against Maori aggression. Tn return for a certain amount of military duty each soldier was given a cottage, a section of land, and an advance for furniture and stock. In this manner tho settlements of Howiek, Panmure, Otahu.hu and Onehunga were formed.