WOMEN’S GIFT

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22667, 23 March 1939, Page 2

WOMEN’S GIFT

PROPOSED CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL

APPROXIMATE COST £650

Late last year, the newly-formed women’s branch of the Christchurch Citizens’ Association listened to. the proposal put forward by one of their members, Miss Mildred Trent, that the women of Canterbury should meet early in 1939 to discuss a suitable memorial to the pioneer women of Canterbury as a centenary gift. Mrs Edwin Hamilton, who presided at that meeting, was also chairwoman at the meeting, convened by the interim memorial .committee, and held in the Provincial Council Chambers yesterday afternoon.

Mrs Hamilton spoke of the various organisations and authorities approached by the committee to obtain permission to erect a memorial on the site which had been thought suitable—the junction of the Summit road and Bridle path. The Lyttelton and Heathcote Borough Councils had given their permission for the land to be used, and Mr J. F. Scott, who owned land in the vicinity, had also generously offered to give any of his land that may be needed.

“The Pilgrims Passed This Way"

Mr Heathcote Helmore, who as hon-orax-y architect for the committee, has drawn a plan of the proposed memorial, explained that the building would

be hexagonal in'shape, and would be

made from stone which could be found in the vicinity, so that the whole building would fit in with the natural surroundings. He had been able to procure some old slates, grey-green in colour, that would tone well with the rock. Everything would be of stone, including the seats, and there would be suitable protection from the wind. I The approximate cost of the finished building would be £650. He sugI gested that some murals or old pictures depicting the scene that took place on that spot in the early days would brighten the building and be most appropriate. Mrs Hamilton asked that Mrs George Hanmer’s suggestion that the central beam should bear the words; “The Pilgrims Passed This Way,” should also be considered. A letter read from the Burnham Women’s Institute stated that while members thought a centennial memI orial an excellent idea, they were of the opinion that the work of repairing the Bridle path and keeping it in good condition would be a more suitable memorial. It was agreed at the meeting that the path was in urgent need of repair, but if sufficient funds were available it might be possible I to build the memorial and to repair the road

It was announced that several donations towards the memorial had already been received, and that small sums would be as gratefully received as large amounts.

Other Speakers

Lady Wigram said that she would be proud to assist the committee in any way. “We are in danger of forgetting the pioneer women and of what we owe to that man of vision, Mr Ell, who has practically given us the Summit road, from which we get such a wonderful view,” she said. Mrs R. W. Glen formally moved that a memorial to the pioneer women of Canterbury should be erected at the junction of the Summit road and Bridle path, the motion being carried unanimously. Other speakers at the meeting were the Rev. F. G. Brittan, Mrs J. Cracroft Wilson, Mrs Sholto Douglas, the Mayoress (Mrs R. M. Macfarlane), Mrs Leonard Coop, Mrs A. Julius, Mrs R. J. McLaren, Mrs W. Mackay, and representatives of the Women’s Institutes. Committee Appointed The interim committee included Mesdames Edwin Hamilton (chairwoman), W. S. Grigg, C. K. Perry, B. M. Field, Strong, J. Simmonds, M. E. G. Hobbs, G. H. Watts, Kennedy, White, Miss Trent, Mrs W. E. Barker (honorary secretary) and Mrs E. Frater (honorary treasurer). The memorial committee set up yesterday includes members of this interim committee with the addition of the following;—Mesdames Leonard Coop, R. J. McLaren, H. L. Bowker, H. C. Hewland, Marmaduke Bethell, H. J. Constable. Curtis (Ashburton), the Mayoress of Christchurch (Mrs R. M, Macfarlane), the Mayoress of Lyttelton (Mrs F. E. Sutton), Mrs Sholto Douglas, Mrs W. Mackay, Mrs J. Mowbray Tripp (Geraldine), Mrs Colin Mclntosh (Cust), Mrs J. G. L. Vernon, Miss M. Enright, Miss M. G. Havelaar, Mrs Mona Tracy, Mrs R. W. Glen, and Mrs Ross Macdonald (Annat).

Regret was expressed that Miss Mildred Trent, who is recuperating after an illness, was unable to be present.

The peacock was a popular Yuletide dish before the turkey was introduced into Europe in 1524.