MEMORIAL PORTRAITS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 510, 28 September 1915, Page 9

MEMORIAL PORTRAITS.

AN UNVEILING CEREMONY. Before the Christchureh* City Council sat last evening the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) unveiled in the Council Chamber the portraits of two employees of the council —Lieutenant H. M. Wright, who was an officer of the treasury department, and Private Albert Edward Highsted, one of the council's drivers — who had fallen in action on the Gallipoli Peninsula. There was a large attendance, including relatives of the two soldiers. , In unveiling the portraits the Mayor said that both men had lost their lives in the cause of freedom, liberty, and justice, and in response to the call of King and country. He was sure that everyone would feel under an obligation to those men wlio had gone forth to fight our battles. The New Zealanders had surrounded themselves with glory of a lustre which time would never efface. He was sure that when the children of the future read in their books of the deeds of heroism, of dash, and daring of these men their blood would thrill with pride at the feeling that they belonged to such a great nation. Mr Holland went On to speak of the parental and national pride which must be felt at the contents of Sir lan Hamilton's dispatches. He (the Mayor) was sure that the councillors and the citizens as a whole tendered their sincere sympathy to the parents of the men who had fallen. The Empire was making, a great demand —it was demanding only the healthiest and the best —but the most that could be offered was not too much, and the sacrifice must be made cheerfully, great though it had been and would be. There must be a determination to carry the war to a conclusion crowned with honour, glory, and righteousness. He hoped that the news that day was the fore-runner of more glorious victories to come. He felt sure that the parents of the men who had fallen would not call their loved ones back if they could —that they would rather their sons died in the glorious cause than that they should remain to let others fight for them. The Mayor hoped that those who were present and who were in a position to enlist would do their duty.