CENTENARY GIFT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22579, 8 December 1938, Page 2

CENTENARY GIFT

WOMEN WILL ERECT MEMORIAL

DELEGATION WAITS ON PROGRESS LEAGUE

A deputation of women comprising Mrs Edwin Hamilton, president of the Christchurch Women Citizens’ Association, Mrs W. E. Barker (secretary), .and Miss Mildred Trent, Dominion president of the National Council of Women, waited on the Canterbury Progress League at its meeting last evening to ask members if they would be willing to alter their plans for a memorial on the Port Hills and allow the women of Canterbury to erect a suitable memorial to the pioneer women of the province at the junction of the Bridle Path and the Summit road, on the site where many of them must have viewed their new country for-the first time. It was pointed out thai the memorial would be the Canterbury women’s Centenary gift to the city, and would appeal to everyone. The deputation received a most sympathetic hearing. The president and members thought the proposed memorial ah excellent one, and they willingly agreed to cancel their own plans and to allow the women of Canterbury to carry on. They assured the deputation of their assistance and support in every way possible. Although the proposed memorial was suggested only last week by Miss Trent at a meeting of the Women Citizens’ Association, a donation of £5 has been received by the association from one woman who was carried over the Bridle Path by her father in 1857, and another donation has been received from the great granddaughter c* a pioneer, to whom the idea of the proposed memorial had appealed. It has been decided to call a public meeting early in the New Year to discuss the type of memorial that would appeal to the women of Canterbury. A seat or seats have been suggested. The committee in charge of the preliminary arrangements wishes all women to have the pleasure of contributing to their own Centenary gift, and has pointed cut that pennies and threepences will be received as gratefully as larger donations.