WAR MEMORIAL.

Grey River Argus, 31 May 1922, Page 3

WAR MEMORIAL.

R.S.A. PROPOSALS. CANVASS OF DISTRICT SUGGESTED. For the purpose of pushing forward the erection of a suitable memorial to the men of this district who died in I the great war, a meeting uf returned I soldiers was hald last evening. It was decided to approach the local Public War Memorial Committee with a view to relieving them of the work of collecting sufficient funds to proceed with the scheme. Those present at the meeting were Messrs A. Me Kane (chair), T. Ryan (Secretary), E. Mallock, F. Wells, A. Weaver, R. Hitching, AV. Thomson, C. Ilton, A'. Fraser, I’. McGilligau, A. Douglas, Cu’pt. Steadman, and A. Armstrong. 1 The Chairman said the object of the meeting was to try to speed up the •erection: of a war memorial for this district. So far they had not met with a very good response from the public and it was thought that it was time something had been done. The various local bodies had been circularised and lists had b-cen taken around, with results that the sum of about £l5O had been raised. Several other matters cropped up every time an offer was made to collect money for this object and lately various appeals had been made to the pocket of the public. Although an application had been re- , ceive.l from Mr AV. Lints to orgunis-c an extravaganza, it -was not thought that it would be accepted, as the salary demanded was so great as to absorb all the profits. Ali-. Armstrong said lie. had done a certain amount of organisation work in connection with war memorial and in every instance had received promising replies from the public. In view of the fact that the scheme had been in existence so long and only £l5O was raised, he had in mind a scheme ■whereby they could make a thorough canvass throughout the town and district. He did not believe in a ‘‘bob’s worth for

a bob” method as a memorial should be given as a spontaneous gift of the people. He also suggested asking the I school children to give one penny each ( towards the object. This would stimulate interest in the parents -which would be a great help. If this did not raise the. necessary funds for the memorial they should not have one at all. Before they could do anything. liOw- | < ver, they must have the approval of the War Alemorial Committee. The j ’ir.st thing this meeting should de |is to take up the scheme in earnest. Mr. Kitching suggested that a recommendation be made to the War Alemorial Committee on lines suggested I by Air Armstrong. j Air Armstrong said his idea was to j take the whole matter out nf the. hands of the AVar Alemorial Committee, and raise the money and hand it over to the Committee. Air Ryan moved that, the R.S.A. ask the, Public AVar Alemorial Committee for permission to take the matter up and canvass the town for subscriptions. ■ Air. Armstrong seconded. ‘ Air. Thompson said perhaps the Committee intended to canvass the town themselves. Mr Ryan: It is only a suggestion, and I feel sure they ■will accept it eagerly. ! The resolution was carried. It was decid-ed that Afessrs Ryan and Armstrong wait upon the AVar Alemorial Committee and place the case of the R.S.A. before them. I Air Armstrong said they would need to arrange their plans immediately ho las to lose no time should the Committee agree to the request. Continuing Air Armstrong said he did not intend to aim at any particular sum, but he thought sufficient should be collected. Air Ilton said many people would ! not subscribe until the question of site was settled. The Chairman said the site would have to be selected by a public meeting. Air AVeaver moved that the- executive of the R.S.A. be a committee to control the business of collecting and making arrangements. Air Fraser suggested two executive members and three outside members. Alessrs AlcKane, White, AVoods, Armstrong and Jones were subsequently appointed to act in this capacity. Mr Armstrong later communicated with the Mayor (Mr. .I. I’. I.yueh) who agreed to call a meeting of the Public AVar .Memorial Committee for Friday evening next.