DUNEDIN WAR MEMORIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 53

DUNEDIN WAR MEMORIAL.

AN APPEAL. The following circular has been forwarded by the Mayor of the city to a large number of citizens:— “As you are aware, the Soldiers’ War Memorial Executive have for the past five years being making strenuous efforts to raise £lO,OOO in order that a memorial worthy of our city could be erected in remembrance of those brave men and women from our district, who answered the call of Empire in the late Great War, and who paid the supreme sacrifice in the cause of righteousness and justice. .‘‘Unfortunately, the response from the citizens has been so poor, that outside the City Council’s donation of £2OOO only about £6279 has been subscribed, and of . this amount £1617 was raised by the Military Pageant. “The executive felt that the erection of the memorial could not be longer delayed, so they took their courage in both hands and called for tenders. The most satisfactory tender was that of our local firm, Messrs H. S. Bingham, for £8420, and this was accepted. The figure named does not include the bronzes, which would cost an additional £l5OO, but on the score of economy the committee reluctantly had to exclude these. “The foundation-stone of the memorial was laid at the Queen’s gardens on Anzac Day. April 25. 1924, and the memorial, which is now completed, will, I feel sure, appropriately commemorate for all time the citizens’ gratitude to those men and women who gave their lives that we might continue to enjoy our freedom under the British Flag. The sum still required to liquidate the cost of the memorial is £2OOO. and the executive, in going on with the erection before the total amount of the cost was raised, felt that the civic pride.of the citizens would prevail and that, with the memorial actually erected, they would readily respond to a further appeal. “His Royal Highness, the Duke of York’, has graciously consented, to unveil the memorial during his visit to Dunedin on March 17. and to save any further reproach to our city you will agree that it is desirable and .necessary that when the unveiling ceremony takes place, we should be able to say that tho memorial has been paid for by voluntary contributions by our citizens. Your War Memorial Executive have made themselves morally responsigle for the collection of the balance, required. “The urgency and importance of the matter, therefore, prompts me to make this appeal H you for a donation, which can be sent either to the town clerk or myself. “We are not sending out canvassers, but are trusting to this personal appeal, which, I have every reason to hope will not be' made in vain.”