INVITATION TO PRINCE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21118, 20 March 1934, Page 8

INVITATION TO PRINCE

SOLDIERS' COTTAGE HOMES SCHEME LAYING OF FOUNDATION STONE An invitation is to be extended to Prince George to lay the foundation stone of the administration block of the cottage homes scheme for disabled returned soldiers at Sandilands, and to declare the settlement open, during his visit to Christchurch. This decision was arrived at last night at the meeting of the citizens' committee of the Returned Soldiers' Association's cottage homes scheme. The suggestion was heartily supported by all present. I\lr \V. E. Leadley said he thought the scheme had advanced far enough for the committee to consider the opening of the settlement. He had given the matter some thought and lie would move that Prince George be invited to lay the foundation stone of the central block when he visited Christchurch. and also to declare the settlement open. Mr Leadley also suggested that it should be a recommendation to the Returned Soldiers' Association and the Veterans' Association that, in the event of the invitation being accepted they should be asked to organise a parade of 3000 returned men to take part in the opening ceremony, similar to the parade held in Haglcy Park when the Prince of Wales was in Christchurch. The Prince would have hundreds of invitations to perform ceremonies, but in view of his known sympathy with organisations of returned soldiers throughout the British Empire, Mr Leadley thought he would be favourably inclined to accept an invitation such as that. They should not Jet th.e opportunity go by, but should approach the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloc) at once, and have the invitation sent on to Prince George.

The motion was seconded bv the Rev. F. T. Read. The chairman (Mr J. W. Beanland) said there was no question that the scheme was an ambitious one. and if the Prince accepted the invitation it would give the scheme a great fillip. If they did not aim at high things thev could not succeed. If the £3OOO was available they could go ahead with the administration block. Bishop Brodie said he thought that if they went ahead with the scheme, the Prince would think it his duty to officiate on that occasion. It was the preliminary work that they had to do which was giving him more thought than the action of the Prince. He heartily supported the plan. The motion was carried.