DUNEDIN WAR MEMORIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19135, 1 April 1924, Page 8

DUNEDIN WAR MEMORIAL.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the Dunedin War Memorial Executive was held in the Town Hall last night and was attended by Cr Douglas (in the chair), Messrs J. H. Wilkinson, D. Harris Hastings, C. H. Hayward, L. Loudon, J. L. Salmond, Martin, Moss, J. Inglis Vv right, and Dr Gordon MacDonald. The Chairman apologised for- the absence of the Mayor iMr H. L. Tapley) and one or two other members. Mr Loudon read the report of the Finance Committee, which was adopted. Mr Hastings reported on the work of the Military Pageant Committee, and spoke enthusiastically of the keen interest the vinous societies were taking in the promotion of the pageant. It was resolved that the official bodies of the city be represented on the platform at the laying of the inundation stone ceremony on Anzac Day. Mr Salmond said that the centre of tne obelisk foundation would rest on the centre of the site of the oid fountain, and the block on which the foundation stone would rest would be lour led square. 'lhe dimensions of the copper box to hold the records would be 14 inches by 12 inches on the surface and 16 inches deep. Messrs Farra Bros, had consented to present the box, which they guaranteed wou.d be perfect, and they would also seal up the documents in the presence of members of the executive. The box could then be deposited in the hollow stone and cemented over at the ceremony. It would, one Slumber remarked, be there for “time immemorial. ' The speaker also tecommended the use of “cocoamit” stone m the building of the obelisk, as large slabs were wanted and this stone could best bo secured this way. Mr Loudon said that the time had arrived when everything should be settled, as there had bean too much delay already;. He would move—“ That Mr Glimmer (architect for the Soldiers’ Memorial) be asked to come to Dunedin, as soon as the working specifications are prepared, in order to settle a number of matters vital to the laying of the foundation stone, modification of the original design, and anything further which may be necessary to carry the work through with the least possible delay.”—The motion was carried. Dr MacDonald said that it would be unwise yet to sign a contract, as each mernoer. jointly and : severally, was responsible for the money. “That,” he added, “is law.’ The executive had £SOOO in hand and out of that £2OOO would be spent in preliminary expenses, leaving £3OOO, and yet the sum of £BOOO was wanted before the contract should be signed. The whole matter was surrounded by gyave difficulties, and had set him thinking very seriously. Mr Hayward pointed out that the contract would not be signed until something more definite was pul before the committee, and so far there was no cause to worry. It was resolved to thank Messrs Wffitcombe and Tombs (Ltd.) for three volumes of

“The History of the War” to place in the casket, and Messrs Farra Bros, for tho casket.