A TRIBUTE TO MR EBBETT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 284, 16 November 1923, Page 3

A TRIBUTE TO MR EBBETT.

(To the Editor). Sir, —Many Hawke’s Bay people will have pleasure in endorsing Mr J. T. Fawcett’s well chosen remarks with reference to the services rendered Hastings by some of her leading citizens, and especially those referring to Mr Ebbett, during whose Mayoralty the extension of {Station street was inaugurated—the result anyone can see for him or herself—yet up to the present no steps have been taken in recognition of Mr Ebbett’s untiring work in connection with it. I read in last Saturday’s "Tribune” a report of the history of the Fallen Soldiers ’ Memorial—here again we have to thank Mr Ebbett, through whose foresight and energy the present! fortunate position, financial and otherwise, has been brought about. He seized the opportunity at the right time, with the result that after paying for monuments at Hastings and Havelock and purchasing a site, we have still about £20,000 available with which to build an hospital as a further memorial to oui fallen heroes. One can have nothing but praise for all those who have helped with money or in other ways, but the collection of this money was largely due to Mr Ebbett’s personal and persistent efforts, given unstintingly without hope or expectation of any reward. His magnificent speech last Sunday shows him to be a man of ‘vision’ —a priceless gift vouchsafed to few, and too often not realised by the possessor. Hastings is indeed fortunate in having Mr Ebbett as one of her leading citizens, and I venture to suggest that the present time is opportune to make public recognition of his work for the community. According to your report, the erection of the Memorial Hospital will be commenced shortly, and it would be a graceful act on the part of the committee to invite Mr Ebbett to lay the foundation stone, and to record the fact on the stone itself. No one has more thoroughly earned such an honour by sterling service. It is all too often the custom to pay posthumous tribute to our public men. Let Hastings honour them while they are still living amongst us, and make a start with an invitation to Air Ebbett to lay the foundation stone of the hospital whose possible existence is so largely due to his efforts during the past four years.—l am .etc., RENDER UNTO CEASER. Hastings, Nov. 16, 1923.