MEMORIAL TO TROOPERS. ANOTHER SUGGESTION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 41, 18 February 1908, Page 4

MEMORIAL TO TROOPERS. ANOTHER SUGGESTION.

What should be done with the money subscribed for. New Zealand troopers' graves in South Africa? The money is not required for the graves, and therefore is free for other purposes . The Post's advocacy of a national memorial in Wellington is well supported in an admirable letter by "Civitas." "In j se^i-al cities of the Dominion," ho WVjtes, "the honour which we desire to sjiow to the dead soldiers has taken the form of a figure iv marble, from an arfcistic point of view equal perhaps to the average cemetary statuary or symbolical figure, plus a base of more or less incongruous design" and workmanship. Cannot we do better than this? I may hold peculiar viows, but I think j that we might do well in having in each large city a public place set apart for records of brave deeds and civic virtues. A place* where the Government and the Corporation might inscribe the name pf thoso entitled to honour. "In Wellington,' for instance, I would have built in some accessible public place on our hills looking over the harbour a roofed and pillared^ colonnade, designed so as to be extended from time to time, on the inner wall of which spaces should be set apart for the names of tho&e who became «ntitled to this distinction by their bravery and merit. So far there is* nothing very original tq the idea ; but in-a "permanent place in this Court of Honour" 1 would - set aside a place fpr the names, of thoso heroes and heroines wlio'from time to time arise in time of plague, sickness, and sudden death, and 1 whose labours * deserve well of the citizens. 'Tis true there are medals and certificates o.?' sopietie?, but' however gratifying' the.se may be to the immediate'friends of ihe receiver, they do not ej{pr.ess the public approbation! of the citizens, "nor are. they in" any way a standing and public incentive to other citizens to strive for honourable mention in. * permanent brass or marble, which may be seen by their children's children. The details qf how the honour should be awarded and other details 1 am not at present concerned with"Politicians and mighty 'men of war generally have" their best memorial in the hearts pf the people, and have little to do with su,ch a courti as I havo suggested;' but no" community can' aflprd to pass oyervor neglect to hold up for *the~ encouragement and example of its members the daily deeds of true heroism and self-sacrifice that help to make straight ,the crooked paths of the people, and.tp'Sliow the noble way even at the cost" of their lifo. I do not suggest thaji ihe amount to be disposed, of would carry qu^ the scheme" l 'haVe in view," but' ifc '\vouUi "gftja/ gp'od way towards 'it. 1 ' ',""*' Already ,9 report from the Public Work's " D;epar;fcm,ent< na§ mentioned that the "barrack? at' Hqunf 'Copk are capable of conversion info* a museum. It is submitted that the colonnade suggested could" form part of tho" frontage to tho renovated" •imilcUng. , '