WAR MEMORIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3782, 7 September 1926, Page 19

WAR MEMORIAL.

UNVEILING ON ARMISTICE DAY. A special meeting of the War-Memorial Executive Committee held in the City Council Chambers on Friday afternoon was presided over by Mr J. Loudon. A letter was received from the town clerk stating that the Reserves Committee had authorised the carrying out of the following works at the Queen’s Gardens. The widening of the present path through from High street to Rattray street; the removal of the flagstaff; the removal of a few of the plane trees from the inner row round the movement, brightening up of the whole area by means of a number of flower beds. A specimen rata at present at the Exhibition grounds will be placed on the site of the polo. The letter was received and approved. The Chairman said he had been approached by the Returned Soldiers’ Association about the arrangements for unveiling the memorial' on Armistice Day. He had asked the architect, Mr Bingham, to attend. Mr Bingham said he could guarantee that he would be absolutely finished with his contract and have everything cleared away by October 31. The chairman was empowered to plan arrangements for the unveiling cerefnony. A letter was received from the private seoretarv of the Governor-General regretting it was unlikely that his Excellency would be able to be present at the unveiling ceremony. The Chairman referred to the fact that various public bodies were protesting against the proposal to erect a women’s rest home on this reserve. He thought himself the proposal was quite wrong. It would detract from the beautiy of any memorial to have such a building there.— (“Hear, hear.”) Others supported the protest. Cr Hancock said, as chairman of the Reserves Committee, he was as anxious as anyone to protect their reserves, but so far no other suitable site had beon found. Would the protesters help them to find another suitable site? So far no definite plans had been put before the Reserves Committee and nothing could be done without its consent. The Chairman said he thought the ladies would be overwhelmingly in favour of a site in George street. Cr Hayward supported Or Hancock’s views. A motion authorising the chairman to draft a letter of protest was carried. Crs Hancock and Hayward voting against it. It was deqided to leave over consideration of plans for raising the remainder of the sum required for the memorial v till the return of the Mayor, Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P., C.M.G., to Dunedin.