DARGAVILLE'S WAR MEMORIALS

Northern Advocate, 3 September 1919, Page 1

DARGAVILLE'S WAR MEMORIALS

VOTE OP PUBLIC .MEETING. DECISION FOR PARK.

Last /Thursday a public was hettd in the International Hall, Darg-aville, to consider several proposals regarding a Northern Wairoa memorial to fallen soldiers. The meeting was convened by his Worship tilie Mayor (Mr R. E. Hornblow), who presided. The chairman briefly outlined the purpose' for which, they had anet, and suggested that a-ballot should be held to deejde in, what order the supporters of the several proposals should speak. Four proposals were c before ,the meeting, namely (1) 'Reclamation and band rotunda, (2) memorial institute, (3 sports ground and park at Manga whare, (4) purchase of Dargraville Club as a Sojdiers' Club. ' : FIRST PROPO&AiL. The following , , proposal jwas. due. to Mr F. M. Jervis: To acquire ground for athletic park—to erect grandstand, etc., land for domain of natural bush adjoining , , to highly approve same and to'iereet memorial tablets with the names of men from the Northern Wairoa, who have fallen and who have taken part in the great war. SECOND PROPOSAL. That a suitable and central site be secured in Darg-aville for the purpose of erecting thereon a handsome and substantial building, as a memorial to fallen and returned soldiers. Such building ito take the form of a club and institute, and to be called "The Northern Wairoa Soldiers' Memorial Institute." The building- should be of two floors, and of such dimensions as will g-ive ample room for comfort,. etc. The top floor to be used entirely for the use of the soldiers, and to have a billiard room containing two tables, reading , , writing , , card and simoke rooms, etc. The ground floor to contain a large lecture or meeting room for the benefit of the soldiers, their friends, and the public generally, wherein might also be displayed the imany Avar trophies belonging to the district. Provision should also be made for a spacious public lending- 'library, a free public reading room, where the principal papers and magazines would be on the table for the use of the soldiers and the public. The.building should be erected of either brick or concrete, artistically designed, and suitably furnished, ample provision being made in the design for the setting in of marble memorial tablets bearing the names of fallen and returned soldiers from this district. The club should be controlled by a committee of soldiers and civilians, equal numbers, elected annually, who would make the necessary rules, etc., to govern such institution. The library and reading- rooms would be administered by a 'committee on which tbe borough and the county councils should have representation, and any deficiency in the cost of the department could be met by a ■small library rate and Government subsidy.

The erection of an institution of J this description in the district would have wide and benefitting influences, both from a soeia'l and educational standpoint, and would .nil & long felt want to the public of the Northern Wairoa. > Mr Jones proposed the building of a memorial institute, to contain a Soldiers' Club, •with billiard room, social room, etc., as well as a public library. He estimated the cost at from £5000 to £5500. THIRD PROPOSAL. Mr Hayes proposed the erection of a band rotunda on the esplanade; with a concrete foundation and, perhaps, eight mai'ble pillars, on which would be inscribed the names of those who had. fallen They had to consider pounds, shillings and pence —the present proposed expenditure and the future upkeep, He estimated that the band rotunda would cost £800 and the upkeep would be a mere fraction Moreover, Dargaiville would undoubtedly recognise its responsibility and improve the water frontage. FOURTH PROPOSAL. This was to purchase the Barg-a-vHIe Club at a price to be mutually arranged, and to be used as a Soldiers' Club. The voting was strongly in (favour of the first proposal to develop the Mang-awiiare Park to comprise sports ground, walks, gardens, bush reserve, elf. The haJl was crowded and great interest was shown in the voting , . The next favoured suggestion for a memorial was with regard to the band rotunda, but (he voting - was twenty-six below that for the Mang'a'Avhare Park. • Votes for the other sug-g'estions were almost negligible,