FOUNDATION STONES LAID

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27567, 8 December 1950, Page 3

FOUNDATION STONES LAID

NORTH OTAGO NEWS

War Memorial And RSA Clubrooms

“It is fitting and right that you should be here today to honour the men of the province and town who served and failed to return. Their real memorial is the great reputation they established for our small country among the larger nations of the world.” • These words were addressed by the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Freyberg, to some 500 children and a large attendance of the general public who attended the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stones of the Oamaru RSA clubrooms and the North Otago war memorial yesterday afternoon.

The country’s great name was made not only because of the fighting qualities of the forces, but also because of the courtesy and good manners the members of the forces displayed in all spheres of operations, Sir Bernard said.

On his arrival 'Sir Bernard inspected a guard of honour of servicemen of the South African War, the Great War and World War II under the command of Major M. H. R. Jones, M.C. Lady Freyberg was presented with a bouquet by Miss Mary Douglas. The official party included the GovernorGeheral and Lady Freyberg, the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs M. F. E. Cooney, Mr T.„ L. Hayman, M.P., Mr E. H. Cameron, president of the Oamaru RSA, and Mrs Cameron, Mr J. C. Kirkness, chairman of the North Otago War Memorial Committee, and Mrs Kirkness, Mr J. S. Adams, chairman of the Waitaki County Council, and Mrs Adams, and Mr R. L. Brown, representing the 2nd NZEF Association. After laying. the foundation stone of the war memorial, Sir Bernard said: “ In thankful memory of those who have given their lives for the cause of freedom, 1 declare this foundation stone duly laid.” After laying the foundation stone of the RSA Club Rooms, Sir Bernard said that the rooms would be a source

for the continuation of the comradeship formed on the battlefield. “When I attend ceremonies such as this my memory goes back to the other war,” Sir Bernard said. “ I remember those who went out and never returned. I remember them as I saw them. Many were my own friends. So, taking part in a ceremony such as this is no mere formality.” He congratulated the committee which had made possible the carrying out of the building of the clubrooms. It would be a great rallying point for members of all services of all wars. He extended thanks to Major Jones and the guard of honour and congratulated the boys and girls in attendance on the way they stood. Mr Cooney said it was a generous act for Sir Bernard to come to Oamaru for the purpose of laying the foundation stones. “The two functions are of particular importance to Oamaru,” he said. “The Garden of Memories and the clubrooms will be fitting memorials to those men of North Otago who died in World War II.” Mr Kirkness presented Sir Bernard with a trowel, a gift of the architect. Mr Craig.