WAR MEMORIAL ROLL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21133, 16 March 1932, Page 12

WAR MEMORIAL ROLL.

UNVEILING ON APRIL' 24. GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S VISIT. INSCRIBED SLABS NOW IN PLACE. The Governor-General, Lord Btedisloe, will make a special visit to Auckland to unveil the Roll of Honour in the Hall of Memories at tho War Memorial Museum on Sunday, April 24, the day before Anzac Day. Advice to this effect, was received yesterday by tho Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association frum the headquarters of the Now Zealand Association at Wellington. Work on tho erection of the 600-odd slabs of white Sicilian marble, in which the 7088 names aro inscribed in bror.zo, was completed yesterday by tho conn-actors, Messrs. W. Parkinson and Company, about six weeks ahead of schedule.

It is not likely that tho flail of Memories will bo opened to the public again bofore the official unveiling chiefly owing to tho fact that thero is certain incidental work to bo done. As t'ne erection of tho slabs entailed tho removal of the wliolo of the plaster with which tho walls w6ro covered, alterations will bo necessary to bring the friezo whkh decorates tho space above the roll into harmony with tho general scheme.

No decision as to tho details of this work has yet been reached by the Roll of Honour Committee, accordir g to a statement made by tho chairman, Mr. A. C. A. Sexton, yesterday. lie said no radical changes would bo necessary, however. Treatment of tho colours, especially tho gold of (ho regimental badges which aro incorporated in tho frieze, would probably remedy the position.

Tlio completed roll presents a fno and dignified appearance, which Mono's perfectly with tho general tone of the memorial. Tho names aro executed in a fine classic type of letter, inscribed in slabs of marble Pleasuring about 2ft. by 15in. each containing about a dozen names. Th i slabs vary slightly in size, for structural reasons. Each alphabetical section is prefaced by a larger capital letter set in a bronze leaf. At the end of each section there is space left for tho possible addition of further names.

Bronze of a deep yellowish hue was chosen for tho lettering as being easily seen at a distance. The commemorative legend over the entrance to tho shrine has also been executed in bronze.

The inscription reads: "They whom the inscriptions upon these walls commemorate are those from the provincial district of Auckland who, at the call of King and country, left all that was dear to them, endured liandship, faced danger and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving their lives that others might live ia freedom. Let those who come after s<;9 to it that their names be not forgotten.'' The words are an adaptation of the King's message, which was sent out in the form of a scroll, accompanied by a plaque, to the next-of-kin of all wLo died on active service.