ITS RECOGNITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1919, Page 4

I TS RECOGNITION.

BRASS TABLET UNVEILED. TO THE LATE MRS D. J. EVANS. There was a very large and fully representative gathering of citizens, including many ladies present at the Overseas Club rooms yesterday afternoon when a very sad and impressive ceremony took place. The proceedings were short tho speeches being brief, but • much feeling was shown by the several j speakers, and fully endorsed by those j present, many of whom were visibly j affected.

The Mayor, (Mr G. A. Perry) presided in the Soldiers Club room, the assemblage overflowing into tho other rooms and passage way. Mr Perry said they had met that afternoon to mark the high appreciation and esteem in which the late Mrs D. J. Evans had been held by all classes of tho community. Her many friends had thought it right and fitting that some memorial to her memory should be erected, and it was thought that a memorial tablet erected in the Soldiers’ Club room would be the most fitting. Tho deceased lady had taken a very prominent part in the welfare of the town and district for a great many years. By Mrs Evans’ death, the town had lost a good citizen, the Empire a faithful supporter and the soldiers a true friend. He trusted that the tablet, which he was about to unveil, would serve to keep her memory fresh in the minds of all, and that it would bo accepted as a token of their deep appreciation of _ her faithful services, and also of their sympathy with Mrs Fowler, Mr Evans, and members of her family.

Mr Perry then unveiled the Tablet, which had been placed in position over the mantelpiece in the Soldiers’ Room. The Tablet, which is of brass mounted on wood, bears an inscription as follows :

In memory ox? LOUISA ANN EVANS died July 20th. 1918.

This tablet is erected by the Patriotic Societies of Hokitika as a token of appreciation of the loyal and untiring work done by the late Mrs Evans, in connection with tho various patriotic efforts made dur-

ing the Great War. Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P. said ou such an occasion words come slowly, and all he could say could not properly extol the virtues and many good works that had been carried out by Mrs Evans in her life of usefulness. She had always done her very best to push on and advance tho place, working whole-heartedly. Freely and cheerfully she had given her services in the past, and when the war came, and there was work for women, she had done the part that fell to her lot with every zest, throwing liersoil' into tho work of helping the soldiers with the greatest of enthusiasm. When the Lady Liverpool Committee was formed Mrs Evans did her utmost with the others associated with her, to attend to the wants of the soldiers. He could hardly tell them how tho soldiers appreciated the work of tho women, especially mentioning the gifts of socks sent. It was not only the socks themselves which were at all times very velcome, but it was the added knowledge that they had been made by their women-folk in New Zealand that caused so much pleasure. Mrs Evans had continued her efforts throughout the war right up till her end. His sympathy went out to Mrs Fowler, Mr Eva us and the family. On behalf of the soldiers ho wished to convey their personal appreciation of the many services rendered by Mrs Evans, and lie felt that her memory would long be kept green among them.

Hon H. L. M.L.C. saicl ii was fitting that the community should recognise the valuable services rendered by the late Mrs Evans, and the memorial was a worthy tribute to her memory. During many years there had been no movement in Hokitika for the advancement or interest of the place, in which she had not done her best to advance the district, to the utmost extent of her powers. As Chairwoman of tho various patriotic movements she had given magnificent services, which were fully recognised throughout all parts of Westland, and to her efforts, much of tho success of these movements wore due. He was glad that the people had thought to so mark their grateful appreciation of the personal worth in the memorial which had just been unveiled.

Mr T. W. Duff, (County Chairman), joined in the. appreciation of the services rendered to the community, over a long period of years by the late Mrs Evans, and he was glad of this tangible mark of that respect and appreciation. His deepest sympathy had gone to the relatives who had felt her loss so keenly. It will he. gratifying to them to know that her work lias been so appreciated, and it will help to lessen the. pain of their loss. It was indeed fitting that they should mark their appreciation, and the memorial would show that, her work had been appreciated by those whom she had laboured so well amongst. Mr l’erry stated be bad received apologies for absence from Rev. Dr. Holloway, Miss Perry, Mrs \V. «). Butler, and lion. J. Grintmond. .Mr Evans, speaking with great feeling, expressed on behalf of airs Fowler, .Mrs Evans’ brothers, his daughters and himself, their deepest thanks for the great honor done to Mrs Evans’ memory that day. He had spent all his life-time in Hokitika, and the. town had done many things for him, hut there was never anything which he appreciated so much, lie thanked 'hem deeply for their great kindness to the memory of one they so mourned. '[’lie gathering then dispersed.