MONUMENT TO OUR FALLEN VOLUNTEERS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2871, 8 October 1866, Page 5

MONUMENT TO OUR FALLEN VOLUNTEERS.

To*ho Editor of the Daily Southern Cross. Sir, — Why do we leave our brave fellows without a memento, testifying how, when, and where they fell, to mark the first engagement in which the settlers and volunteers acted, without other aid, in defending our hearths and homes against a savage foe mosi successfully, even at the great odds of fifty-seven against four hundred? Of course I allude to the Mauku and Ist Waikato Volunteers. And why do the officers of the Ist Waikato Regiment not redeem their characters, by informing the public what has become of the money subscribed for such purpose ? A day's pay from every private and officer in the regiment amounted to the pretty sum of £150 to £200, and was, I believe, collected by the captain of each company. Why should those officers who have acted honestly in accounting for their portion continue to bear the odium of those who have not, and are defaulters of the honorary trust? The settlers in this district are now desirous of erecting a monument to the memory of the brave Lieutenant Percival, Norman, and their fine fellowTolunteers who fell in this engagement, and wish to place it in the Mauku cemetery as the most suitable site, being close upon the spot where they fell. About £50 to £60 would enable them to attain the object ; and 1 would suggest that It. B. Lusk, Esq., be requested to act as treasurer, and, when £50 is subscribed, that tenders be called for. Surely some portion of the fund above alluded to might very suitably be handed over to assist this undertaking ; and thus it might soon be accomplished. I am sure, Mr. Editor, you would kindly give the aid of publicity to this work, and assist it in any way in your power.— I am, &c, iT, Crisp-E> Mauku, September 30, 1866.