WAR MEMORIALS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18220, 7 October 1919, Page 8

WAR MEMORIALS.

UNVEILING CEREMONY AT HORNBY. One of the most important functions over held in tho district took place at the Tiornby School grounds on Saturday afternoon last, when the memorial to ex-pupils of the school was unveiled. The weather conditions were ideal, and there was a very large attendanco of the public. Proceedings were opened by the singing of tho National Anthem, after which Mr M. Evans, chairman of the School Committee, called upon Mr Andrew, chairman of the Canterbury Board of Education, to unveil the memorial. In doing so, Mr Andrew remarked that it was a pleasure to see that the boys who had so valiantly served their country had been remembered, and the memorial was a credit to the district. He was also pleased at the form of the memorial, as it not only served as a reminder of sacrifices made, and what we had fought for, but also was one of utility, as well as being an improvement to the surroundings and an asset to the district. Tho chainnan of the committee read an apology from the member for the district, Mr G. Witty, M.P., for inability to attend. Mr Witty had asked the. Mayor of Christchurch, Dr Thacker, M.P., to take his place, and Dr Thacker received a very hearty welcome. An adjournment was afterwards made to the schoolroom, where afternoon tea was provided, and a toast list was honoured. Mr Andrew, in replying for the Education Board, referred to the necessity for the decentralisation of our education system in the interests of education in the Dominion. Dr Thacker responded on behalf of the New Zealand Parliament. Three life arty cheers were given for the visitors. The memorial, which is in the form of a water tower, is of reinforced concrete, and is supported by four columns. On each side, about eight feet from the base, are four panels of Nelson marble, on which the names, to the number of sixty-seven, are inscribed. The tower is twenty feet high and nine feet square and holds 2000 gallons. The tank is filled by the aid of an electric pump, a splendid supply of good drinking water being obtained. It is also connected with the septic tank, which has recently been installed. It is now considered that the school has one of the best water . supplies of any school in Canterbury, if not in the Dominion, whilst its conveniences are of the latest. The memorial has been erected under the supervision and direction of Mr Riley, foreman to the Canterbury Education Board, and the board’s architect, Mr Pcnlington. Competitive designs for the work were called for throughout the Dominion, and the design selected was one of many excellent ideas sent in and shows credit to the designer. The following are the names inscribed on the memorial (there are still two or three names to be added): —D. Appleby, F. Ashworth (killed in action), J. Ashworth (died in camp), P. Baker (killed in action), R. Barnes, F. Bennett, W. L. Bennett, W. Blake, E. Brassington, J. Broadbent, T. Brown, L. Brown (killed in action), R. Burns, W. Burrows, O. Burt, J. Burt, L. Burt, C. Chaney, G. Chaney (killed in action), F. Clarkson, E. Clarkson, A. Conway, L. Corbett (killed in action), T. Coulter, A. Cullen, J Ellis (killed in action), D. Fry, A. Falconer. L. Gee, A. Gunn, W. Haden, G. Hardaker, L. Holford, S. N. Hooper, C. Horwell (killed in action'), H. H umm, C. Ibbetson, V. Illingworth. G. James, A. Jenkins, C. Kemble, E. Kerr, A. Kinimont, C. _ Lodge, G. Lodge. H. Lodge, C. Manhire, E. Manhire (killed in action), W. Manhire, T. Mitchell, A. Moffefc, J. Morris. E. Nottingham, E. Paterson, G. Pine (killed in action), R. L. Piper, W. Reynolds, C. Sanders, D. Sanders, J. H. Smith, F. W. Smith, A. Tully. G. Webb, S. Wcekes. R. Wilson (killed in action), L. Wootton and L. Wootton. DEPUTATION TO SUMNER COUNCIL. Last night a deputation, consisting of Mr H. Butfle, sen., and Mr T. A. Wrenn, representing a public meeting recently held in the Town Hall, waited upon the Sumner Borough Council with regard to a suitable memorial for the borough. Mr Buttle outlined the stages of development and said that the public meeting had decided to ask the council to finance the whole scheme. In this way it would be a borough affair and would be contributed to by all tho 1 ratepayers. It was recommended that not more than £2OO should bo spent. It had been hoped that a larger sum might have been stated, but there were difficulties. The city of Christchurch would have a claim on some of the Sumner residents. Tho public meeting was unanimous that whatever was done should be done well, to be a remembrance in the future years of what the Sumner lads had done. Mr Wrenn concurred in the remarks of Mr Buttle.

The Mayor, the Hon J. Barr, M.L.C., said that the request was a very modest one, and thanked the deputation for their attendance. At a later hour, when the matter was discussed, the Mayor said that if the borough could not afford more than £2OO it should be ashamed of itself. Private memorials in the cemeteries were costing more. Councillor Yates said that the matter was being treated in a paltry fashion by the residents. The council should have nothing to do with tho proposal. Councillor Piercy said that Hie public were not taking a live interest in the matter, and the council “shako things up.” Tho Mayor suggested that an opportunity should be given to those who wished to do so, to raise, say, £2OO. The council would then be in a position to subsidise the donations. Nothing less than £SOO should be spent. A more united effort should bo made, and if the people did not respond it would be to their eternal disgrace. It was decided to reply on those lines to the deputation.