HARVEY MEMORIAL FUND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2425, 5 September 1900, Page 18

HARVEY MEMORIAL FUND.

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the matter of erecting a memorial to the late Captain Harvey, of the fourth contingent, was held in the Town Hall on Thursday night.Mr A. Wilson was voted to the chair, and the other gentlemen present were — Messrs Crosby Morris, J. A. Park, Harman Reeves, J. S. Hislop, J. F. M. Fraser, L. G. Reeves, Walter J. Guthrie,- St. J. Branigan, L. Wilson, W. Brent, G-. Moodie, W. 13. Stewart, ®. C. Reynolds, J. B. Niciiol, T- D. Pearcc, J- N. Lawson, J. A." Johnstone, W. Hodgkins, H. Power, and Dr Fulton. Apologies for' nonattendance were received from Messrs Sinilb. Barr, and Ross.

The Chairman briefly explained how the meeting came to be called. When he referred at the school to Captain Harvey's death, heexpressed a hope that (something would be done to perpetuate his association with the school. On the following- morning he received

various letters approving his idea and enclosing cheques towards the proposed fund. He then thought the best courae to adopt was to call a public meeting. Personally he was very anxious that there_ should be a memorial erected to Captain Harvey, but he thought tho question should take a wider range than Jiut. He was of opinion that the names of all old High School boys who had volunteered fot service in South Africa should be permanently inscribed. It was for them to say whether the larger thing should be done, and whether it should be separate from any memorial to any old boys who unfortunately lost their lives in South Africa. So far he was glad to say the number of deaths had been very small in proportion to the number of those who had gone from here, but, unfortunately, the war was not over and they did not know what a day or' an hour might biing forth.

Mr J. A. Park said they were all unanimous that a memorial tablet should be erected in fyonour of their late comrade Captain Haivey, but h.G -thought it would be wise to decide whether the;/ should confine the movement to ex-High School Boys and present pupils, or allow it to be open to the general public. For himself he would limit it to the past and present pupils and the staff, and he moved in that direction. He thought also they should raisea fund sufficient not only to erect a memorial to Captain Harvey, but to all old boys who had fallen, as it would-be monotonous to have to start successive funds for memorials.

A long discussion ensued on the point of limiting the subscription to High School Boys. It was pointed out that there would probably be public -me ranents started with the object of erecting memorials to Otago men killed in action, and persons not connected with the school could subscribe to them.

The Chairman said he felt sure it would be a grief to many admirers and friends of Captain Harvey if they were precluded from sub- * scribing to the present movement, and some of the subscriptions already sent to him would have to be returned. A number of other gentlemen were of the same opinion, and finally, after a great number of amendments had been moved and di§cuscsed, Mr Park's original motion was set aside, and a motion by Mr Lawson to the effect that a special tablet bearing the names of all ex-High School boys vfho have gone to South Africa to fight tor tbe Empire be erected at the school, and that separate memorial tablets be erected to' all those who may lose their lives in the war.

On the motion of Mr L. Wilson, it was then decided to take steps to have a -tablet erected to the memory of the late Captain Harvey. Mr L. Wilson moved — " That funds be raised from the toasters and boys, past and present, but that no subscriptions from others be refused." - Mr Crosby Morris seconded the motion, which, on being put, as carried. Mr J. F. M. Fraser said that undoubtedly the prominent figure in the* contingent from the High School point of view Avas Captain Harvey. He left his "desk in the bank and was put in charge of a company. His fate was peculiarly tragic. He was killed, a little more than a boy, in his first action, and it was the wish of his friends, as well as a great many who did not know him. intimately, that liis memory should be perpetuated in some way. How could it be done more worthily than by inaugurating a fund to institute a Harvey prize or a scholarship ; and if there was a surplus from the money raised, to erect

a memorial tablet, it could not be better expended than in this way. ' The Chairman was &trongly-of opinion lhafc Captain Harvey occupied an exceptional-posi-tion, and that that should be recognised in any memorial that they might erect to him. He would suggest that it should he a, clirection, to the committee appointed 'that -.the .first charge on the funds should be a handsgme memorial to the memory of Captain" Harvey. It had also been suggested by "Mr Fraser as well worthy of attention that when the object a.t present set before the meeting — a, memorial tablet— had been fully accomplished, that any remaining fund be utilised in the way he proposed, or in some way that the committee might consider suitable. Mr Harman_ Reeves moved— " That it be a special direction to the committee that a suit_able memorial to the late Captain Harvey "be the first expenditure from tlie fund." Mr Branigan seconded the motion, which, on lacing put, was carried. Mr J. A. Johnstons moved—." That any ,«urplus tf.ai may be over be used to found a, Harvey prize, bursary, or scholarship, according to what may be found possible and tho most suitable."' 2>lr Guthrie seconded the motion, which was duly carried. The following gentlemen were appointed •o committee : —Me^rs J. A. Jolmstone. W.j. Guthrip, H. Beeves, G. Moodie, and DrFulton. Mr L. Wilson was appointed treasurer to the committee. The meeting terminated with the customaiy .compliment to the chair. Wo have been requested to state that Mr Lc=lie Wilson (of R. Wilson and Co., Bond street) will receive subscriptions for the above funds.