OAMARU MARINE PARADE

Evening Star, Issue 22087, 22 July 1935, Page 12

OAMARU MARINE PARADE

MEMORIAL TABLET UNVEILED i LATE MR GRAVE'S WORK The unveiling of a tablet to the memory of Mr W. G. Grave took place at the entrance of the Marine Parade track on Saturday afternoon before a large representative' gathering of the K”ic. The work’was first mooted in , and in the following year Mr Grave was responsible for having a

start mad© with voluntary labour. Since that time the track has grown in more ways than one, and besides giving easy access to Bushev Beach, is a decided attraction to the town, and is being increasingly used by tourists and visitors to Oamaru. The walk provides many delights to the sight-seer, and the work of beautifying the slopes and ridges with native trees and shrubs will, when finished, greatly enhance the popularity of this unique track. , The mayor (Mr M. F. E. Cooney) spoke of the great' part the late Mr W. G. Grave had played in the social and public life of the community, and stated that the Parade had, to a large extent, been made possible through his energy, work,, and vision. Mr Grave had been connected in many works in the interests of the community, said Mr Cooney, such as Orana Park; and he went on to speak of his love for mountains and hills, which had made him enthusiastic in foraging the track. From the very first he hqd supervised the work without sparing himself in any way. By his enthusiasm he had inspired others. The tablet was then unveiled by the mayoress (Mrs M. F. Cooney). Mr F. Butterfield, a member of the committee of the Marine Parade

Society, and one who had been associated with Mr Grave from the very first in the formation of the marine parade round the sea coast to Bushey Beach, said they had gathered that day to pay their tribute to the memory of one of Oamaru’s most illustrious sons. He felt confident that Mr Grave would rank very high in the scale of citizenship. His outstanding qualities could be stated briefly—thoroughness and sincerity of purpose. Ho had the power of inspiring others by his example, and, in many movements for the general good of the town, he, by common consent, became leader. His actions were diverse; —assisting to .get a new park, a war memorial, a new classroom for' the Waitaki Boys’ High School; indeed, anything for the good of the district had his whole-hearted support.

His scholastic, attainments were high, and were secured by his own efforts. Working his way up the ladder of attainment, he had reached his M.A. degree, and was an esteemed master of the Waitaki Boys’ High' School. He had also found time to gain his LL.B. degree. , As an explorer Mr Grave would be longest remembered, said Mr Butterfield. The late gentleman was a true child ’ of Nature, with a passion for penetrating tracks untrodden by the foot. of man. In this direction his efforts culminated in the discovery of the Hollyford-Milford or Grave-Talbot track—a really great achievement accomplished only after three trials and in spite of great difficulties. The actual achievement was itself a monument that would last as long as the land and language survived. As Mr Grave had immortalised himself by placing his imprint on the map of New Zealand it was fitting that they, his fellow citizens, should do something to show their appreciation in his* native town. Hence the dedication of this track and tablet. It was to inark their esteem for a great citizen and S good man. Mr 6. Robertson said the greatest tribute they could pay to Mr Grave would be to carry out the completion of the track.