Memorial Obelisk

Opunake Times, Volume LVV, Issue 3675, 30 October 1923, Page 3

Memorial Obelisk

AND ELECTRICAL SCHEME. OFFICIAL OPENING. In view of the importance of the occasion proposed to be celebrated in the unveiling of the local memorial to fallen soldiers and the official opening of the hydro-electric-scheme we suggest the following programme for the consideration of the committee appointed to deal with the matter:- (i) Call a public meeting or. appoint alive org miser to get sectional committees of ladies and others to carry out adopted program. (2) Procession Committee to arrange procession, headed by the Federal Band, to meet' Governor General or whoever comes to perform the ceremony) at the post office and escort to obelisk. Special features of procession to be arranged. We suggest the gathering together of all old A.C. Force men and other pioneers, both men and women, who made our present prosperity possible. Motor vehicles could be provided for their:conveyance, although, perhaps, bullock drays, if they could be obtained, would be more in keeping with' the spirit of those who blazed the trail. Perhaps an old maii corch could be got for the procession The procession could be divided into four Generations of inhabitants in couples, pioneers, young people, young men and girls, followed by ex-soldiers in uniform, cadets, school children and the general public. A procession properly arranged would look much more orderly than having people 'straggling along. A Decorations Committee would also be necessary, its duties being to arrange for an abundant supply of bunting, both for street, public and private buildings ; electric light displays at night ; the inducmg of busi nes r people and private citizens to decorate their shops and dwellings with flatrs and greenery and at night iMth el. on ic light. :'"f;<An Entertainment Committee Avould also be necessary to arrange a sports programme to take place on the beach, this bdng the most suit able place. Entertainment could be provided for young and old, and since it is not practicable to arrange a jfmblic luncheon, luncheon could be arranged for at the beach pavilion for the Vice-Regal party, leading public men, parents and relatives of soldiers whose, names appear on the local and district memorials and engineers and others directly Concerned. The' Seaside Society would pleased to give the pavilion free of charge for the day and also throw all other appointments open to the public free of charge. At the on veiling of the memorial (suitable diapings would be provided)' the public would assemble outs'de the fence, elevated platforms beine; provided for the parents and relatives of fallen soldiers. After His Excellency had unveiled the memorial the Last Post would be sounded and the assemblage would sing suitable hymns and -"God Save The King." Perhaps local clergy, would give brief addresses. An adjournment would then be made to power house (the fountain head of the scheme) and after the official opening the luncheon at the pavilion could follow with speeches suitable to the occasion.

Other details of the programme could be'attended to as the organis ation was perfected, for there is plenty of room for improvement on the suggestions made, but these suggestions would form a basis oh which to set organisation that would make the celebrations a credit to the town. We shall be pleased to assist t he committee in the organising of ihe day's functions.