WAR MEMORIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume LII, Issue 5464, 27 April 1920, Page 2

WAR MEMORIAL.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l read with much interest a suggestion signed “Soldier’s Dud” appearing in your journal urging that the war monument _ should, be placed on the vacant section at the corner of Grey street and Gladstone road. Tiie suggestion that the memorial should take the iorm of a monument appears to have been decided upon, but in the town is much opposition to the proposal. What I would suggest, if it he not too late, is a scheme that ill addition to being a memento of the war, would be self-supporting, would, in fact, combine the sentimental idea with the utilitarian, and so suit both classes of the community. 1 have mentioned my scheme to several of the leading citizens of this town and in almost every case it has received unanimous support, I would suggest also that the Grey street corner should; be utilised for tip. project. Oil this present cy. sore to the town should be erected a three-storey building of artistic design, which should be, as it undoubtedly deserves, to be, the best building of its kind m Gisborne. The ground fioor could be made into six shops—two on Gladstone road and four on Grey street. The returned soldiers should of course, have preference in the tenanting of these shops. The rental should he placed in a fund to assist the dependants of the fallen men, such for instance, as completing the education of a deceased soldier’s child, or the money might be devoted to a scholarship fund for the same purpose, as again it might be used to assist tho wife or parents of the soldier. The first floor would he a room, to be known as the Hall of Remembrance, sacred to the memory of the fallen. If possible, the committee in charge should secure enlarged photographs of the deceased, these enlargements of course to he paid for by the committee. There should be chairs and couches placed around and no doubt many a quiet hour would be spent there by the bereaved ones. On the anniversary of the various battles, such as Massines. tlm Somme, or Paschendaele, for instance, memorial services could he held there. On the second floor 1. would suggest a War Museum Personally I have seen in many a home here, most interesting souvenirs or relies from the firing-line, and m more than one case the owner lias remarked on the lack of a nni.seuni in Gisborne for these souvenirs, There is a collection a few miles out of Gisborne that would do credit to a museum of a great city, and yet to all intents and purposes, it is hidden from tile general public, although the owner is always willing to show his collection to any one interested. I have no doubt that if the project were taken out, some hundreds of relics could be either purchased, donated or loaned. Other sections in the rooms could be devoted to tlic Maori War and the Sou tii African war. A museum of this nature would be of incalculable benefit to the rising generation, while in tile Hall of Bemembrance, the children would see the photographs of the heroes who witnessed or used these weapons in deadly earnest. The ton floor couldi he fitted up as a roof garden with one or two powerful telescopes so that school children, residents or visitors would sec the surrounding country, or could even “pee]) into the heavens'’ at night, A returned sold’er and his wife could he placed in charge of the whole building as caretakers. Hoping that the Memorial Committee at its next meeting will at least give the scheme consideration, as 1 am certain it would prove popular.—l am, SOLE;(LB’S DAD, NO. 2. P.S. I may state that I have no personal interest in suggesting this .scheme, either in connection with the section, or in building, or in any other wav.