MOUTOA SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 July 1925, Page 4

MOUTOA SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL.

♦ “ UNVEILING CEREMONY. I (From tiie Shannon Nows.) Although Monday looming was cloudy and cold a large number of Moutoa settlers and visitors from shannon and Foxton gathered at the Moutoa school for the unveiling of the Soldiers’ Memorial Tablet In memory of those boys from Moutoa., who made the supremo sacrifice in the Great War, the ceremony being performed by Mr J. Linklater, M.P., who had motored through from Palmerston for the purpose. The ceremony opened with the National Anthem, followed by the hymn “Recessional,’’..after which Rev. A. F. Stewart led with prayer and a short reading from Psalm IC. Those present then sang the hymn, “O God our Help hi Ages Past.” ' MR LINKLATER’S ADDRESS, Mr Linklater, M.P.,'said he esteemed it a great honour to have the privilege of unveiling the memorial tablet ami opening the new gates in memory of the men from Moutoa, who had given theft Jives in the Great Mar for justice and right. He said New Zealand, as a whole, had a record of service in the war which she could be proud of, 110,368 men having been ■mi service and of this-num-ber 18,164 had fallen. Surely this was a groat sacrifice for so small a Dominion. Mo memorial was necessary to remind ns of their brave deeds, but it was necessary to remind the children and tiie generations to- come of what our boys did, who fought in, do fence of the British Empire. The men whose names were inscribed on the tablet lay buried in different parts of the world, but, he said, the sun never gets on the British Empire and equally the same could be said in regard to our boys who died, We remembered them in pur time of peace. They died for their fellow men, their country and their God and it was some solace to parents who lost their boys to remember that in time all had to pass and that these boys died doing their duty nobly and well. They shall grown not old, As we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn. At the going down of the aum And in the morning We will remember them. No words pf his could express his admiration for the boys who left these shores; and his veneration for the mothers who. sent their sons; and of his admiration of the nurses from New Zealand who attended the sick and suffering. He then unveiled the memorial to the glory of God and the men who left, these shores in honour of King and Country. One minute's silence was then observed. after which Mrs S. Barber sang the “Requiem,” which-was followed by Bugler Walls sounding the ’‘Last Post,” the ceremony being brought to a close whit the “Benediction.” .vlier the ceremony Mr Verity, chairman of the School Committee, suitable thanked all those who had subi ii.-ed to the new gates and tablet and also those persons responsible for having the work carried out. The new gates are handsome in design and consist of a double iron gate with a smaller one for the children to tuner by. The three posts are rough cast with plastered cap and base and on the centre post the memorial tablet lias ihoen erected where it will always he in full 'View of those passing to. and fro. The school entrance lias been laid down in concrete from Hie main door of the school along the side and out about .Sit outside the gales where it has been linished off in the shape of a half circle. The whole gives the school approach a very fine and neat ■appearance and reflects great credit on those responsible for the work. Tiie tablet bears the following inscription:’ “These gates were erected in memory of the 'boys who left Moutoa and were killed in the war, 191418.” Then follow the names:—O. Alsen, R. Rowe, C. Bell, W. Campbell, F. Gibbins, F. Hall, S. Johnson, A. McDonald, -I. Nelson. J. Prosser, M. Poole and F. Smith. At the bottom are the words “Unveiled July 13th, ltk’s, by -I. Linklater, M.P.” At the conclusion of the ceremony refreshments were handed around by the ladies who were accorded three hearty cheers by those present. , Mr Linklater asked that the children (be given a holiday for the remainder'tor the day, which was approved of by the Committee, the children cheering Mr Linklater.