TO THE EDITOR.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 3837, 21 April 1899, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — I have read with very sincere sorrow and regret oi the sad events that have taken place in Samoa where our Naval and Military officers and men have fallen at the call of duty. I waited till now for an abler pen than mine to have taken this matter in hand but as no one has touched the subject I beg a little space to ventilate what I consider to be Tauranga's first duty, namely, — That a monument be erected at Samoa, dedicated an given by the people of Tauranga to the memory of First Lieut. Freeman, of H.M.S. ' Tauranga, 1 who was killed in action at Vailele, Samoa, on the Ist day of April, 1899. This noble officer was serving in a inan-o'-war bearing the name of our historic town 'Tauranga,' and who of ue can forget that Tauranga was one of the first ports that H.M.S. 'Tauranga ' vjgj^ed on arrival in New Zealand, this in itself was a marked compliment paid to the people of Tauranga and I may add that on that auspicious occasion we responded right loyally in giving them a hearty welcome. Now. Sir, I know of no more fitting opportunity of expressing our sorrow, our love and our loyalty, than causing the memory of our hero to be kept green, for was he not one of ours and with this end in view * Tauranga's' duty is plain. Thanking you in anticipation of inserting the above. — I am, etc.,

J. Maxwell. I enclose my cheque. ' [We have to acknowledge receipt, with the above, of a cheque for one guinea and shall be pleased to take charge of any other donations for the above object, pending further developments or the formation of a Committee.—Ed., B.P. Times ]