Martin Memorial.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13524, 7 October 1916, Page 5

Martin Memorial.

MEN'S WARD DECIDED ON.

IA SMALL BUT REPRESENTATIVE MEETING. About 30 persons attended a public meeting at the Opera House last night, .the Mayor (Mr J. A. Nash) presiding. The object of the meeting was to consider suggestions for formulating a scheme whereby a memorial might be erect 3d to fittingly perpetuate Dr Martin's name. The Mayor pointed out that the greatest work that Pr Martin did, apart from the war, was in this town. He observed that there were others too who were deserving of a memoriam and steps were already being taken to see that this was done. He instanced the Anzae Park, as accomplishing this object. Every movement which took place in connection with the local hospital was nearly always at the suggestion of Dr Martin. It had been suggested that a men's ward at the hospital was not necessary. This was not so. It was necessary and it would have to be carried out. If such a building were erected it wculd be called the Martin Ward. The suggestion of Mr Johnston opened up a big question. But would it be selfsupporting? Ho thought that the only way was to have the memorial at the hospital. The cost approximately of a men's ward at the hospital would be .£IO,OOO. If the meeting was of opinion that this was a good scheme, they should get to work at once. If the sum of £2OOO was collected and handed to the Hospital Board it would bear a Government subsidy of £4400. Sir James Wilson was in favour of this proposal If the meeting was of the opinion that this scheme was practicable then a committee would be formed and they would go on with it. If the meeting thought that they should wait, then they would. But he str.vssKd 'tlin inporfcance of doing tliKigd of such a nature as soon as posible. Ho helmed that there was a certain' sum of money in hand for a Radium Institute. Eminent men in England had gone into this radium question and not much progress had been made. Besides the money in hand for this institute was for one that was to be erected in New Zealand. Palmers to j North was not mentioned specially as a place where it would be erected. They wanted something of a local nature, something which would perpetuate the memory of Dr -Martin for a long time to come. (Hear, hear and applause.)

A letter was read from Mr J. M. Johnston who said that he would be glad to assist the movement in any way he could. He recommended a soldiers' home a short distance from towi?. He also suggested that a subcommittee be formed to consider the suggestions and draw up a report upon them. Mr D. Buick said that he was heart and soul in the movement. He would like the people of Palmerston to put their hands into their pockets so that a fitting memorial might be erected to make them rcnember what a little hero they had had in their midst. He hoped that the meeting would come to a satisfactory conclusion and get to work quickly. He was personally in favour of a men's ward at the hospital.

Mr B. S. Abraham said that he never felt more disgusted in his life than at the poor attendance. When he entered the house and saw the number present he expressed his surprise at the small attendance. A gentleman said to him that if the meeting had been held a week before they would have had a crowded house. All that he could say to this was that if the people of Palmerston forgot their little hero doctor in a week then he had nothing but the utmost contempt for them. (Applause.) ;He spoke in ravour of the men's ward being chosen as a memorial. Mr John Christie considered the men's ward was a step in the right direction. But they should also have a monument independent of the ward erected at the entrance to the hospital. They wanted something to the stranger's /eye. He /suggested that a statue of the doctor attending a wounded Anzae be erected. Mr Monrad apologised for the absence of Messrs. McKnight and Bro-pl-y. The former was in favour of the men's ward.

Mr W. Thompson said that to his mind the men's ward was not universal enough. He suggested that a memorial on the lines denoted by Mr Christie be erected in the Square, bearing the names also of others from Palmerston who had fallen. He instanced the statue of Mr Seddon at Wellington and Nelson in Trafalgar Square. People*asked: Who are these men? That was what would happen if a statue were erected. In any case no matter what was decided- on the people of Palmerston would enthusiastically support it. (Hear, hear.) Mr James Wallace spoke in favour of a men's ward which he considered was what Dr Martin would like. The Bev. Mr Blackburne said that Dr Martin was one of the greatest and noblest men he had met. Unlike most men of genius lie did not drift to the larger centres but stuck to Palmerston. He might have gone anywhere and made a great name for himself. He did feel it intensely that they had such a poor meeting, when they remembered all that he had done for the place. However that did not signify that they would not support his memorial movement. He knew they would. He would heartily support the hospital scheme. The Mayor moved: — "That as a memorial, and to perpetuate the memory of the late Dr A. A. Martin this meeting recommends the erection of a new men's ward at the Public Hospital, to be known

as the Martin Ward." He thought that this was something after the doctor's heart. Mr W. Park seconded the motion.

Mr Abraham pointed out that they could erect thd ward if they got £4OOO. It must be recollected that this »um would bear a Government subsidy. Mr Allman thought that every man who had given his life for his country had given his all. Dr Martin would be the first to deprecate anything that would have himself alone featured. Others should also be remembered.

The Mayor pointed out that something was to be done in this direction. Mr J. Stevens advocated a Dominion memorial. He spoke in favour of a Radium Research Institute, which was something that the doctor was specially interested in. Mr W. Ritchie thought that a monument in the Square would not be amiss. The suggestion of Mr Stevens

was something a little "beyond them at the present. Mr Garing Johnston spoke in favour of the proposal that had been moved. Such a scheme would especially appeal to Dr Martin. Captain Precce also spoke in favour of the motion. This was car;ied unanimously. The following committee was set tip: Messrs D. Buick, M.P., J. A. Nash Goring Johnston, H. G. Bagnall, If. Akers, 3ST. H. Wash, B. A. McHardy, Maurice Cohen, J. M. Johnston, J. H. Hankins, O. Monrad, W. Park, C. A. Loughnan, H. F. Gibbons, Rev. H. G. Blackburne, Sir James Wilson, P. C. Freeth, R. McKnight, J. Coombea, J. W. Poynton, S. M. and H. Cooper, Mr Christie declined nomination