WAR MEMORIAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 48, 26 January 1926, Page 11

WAR MEMORIAL

ARRANGEMENTS FOR UNVEILING COST OF RAILWAY DEVIATION. A meeting of the Palmerston North and District War Memorial Committee was held yesterday to make arrangements for the ceremony of unveiling the memorial. There were present: Messrs B. J. Jacobs (in the chair), J. H. Stevens, H. N. Cooke, E. V. West, 11. H. Billens, J. H. Hughes and Colonel C. G. Powles. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs W. Ruthcrfurd and H. L. Young. Advice was received from the Mayor (Mr F. J. Nathan) that ho had arranged with the Right Hon. J. G. Coates to perform the unveiling ceremony on tho afternoon of Sunday, February 7. The Prime Minister would motor up from Wellington on Sunday morning, and the writer suggested that tho ceremony should take place at 2.30. The programme for tho ceremony was arranged in detail. Plans for a guard of honour and an escort of-re-turned soldiers were submitted by Colonel Powles and these were adopted. A statement of the committee’s finances was read by the secretary, Mr J. Permain, showing that, out of just under £SOOO promised, less than £2OO was now outstanding, which was considered to be something in the nature of a record. Accounts for the railway deviation, including the - re-asphalting of the crossings, were submitted and passed for payment. The total cost was £lO less than the original estimate—£3so. The Borough Council’s recent decision not to remove the drinking fountain in the Square was made the subject of some pointed comment, members being of the opinion that the view of the memorial was completely ruined by tho unsightly fountain. After brief discussion, the following resolution was unanimously carried:— “That as tho committee is unable to go further with tho completion of the war memorial until the fountain, which now completely spoils the scheme, is removed, tho Borough Council bo asked to carry out the work of removal as soon as possible, and, if possible, before the unveiling ceremony of February 7th.”