PITT MEMORIAL FUND.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 12940, 3 November 1910, Page 2

PITT MEMORIAL FUND.

MEETING OF ST'BSOIMBERS. A meeting of the subscribers in the fund to establish a memorial to tilt late Hon. Albeit Pitt, bte Attornny- ! General of tho. present ailnunistration. was hold at the Council Clianiber last eyoning. The Mayor (Mr Thos. Pottit) occupied the chair, and there \vt;c also present Messrs Edmonds", 1 H. Baigont, J. H. Cock, C. Y. Fell, Sparks, T. Noak?, E. B. Moore, AY. Aitchesoii Smith, P. Bond, and Captains Ciiing, Stewart, and Hammond. Apologies were received from Colonel Joyce and Major Coleman. The honorary secretary (Mr R. W. Stiles) presented a report showing the progress of the fund since the last meeting. He stated that every effort had been made to raise a sum suffi- J cient to earn the full amount promised by the Government, and he was pleas, ed to report that tho efforts had been successful, as- the amount so far subscribed amounted to £212 19s sd. He acknowledged the assistance rendered the fund by the local press and newspapors throughout the Dominion. Several letters regarding tho fund 'had been published by 26 newspapers and progress reports of outside subscriptions had appeared in the same papers on several dates. The publicity thus given had no doubt augmented -the fund- {Considerably, and he had conveyed thanks to those concerned. Since last meeting of the subscribers £117 3s 5d had been subscribed, entirely obtained by circular appeal, no less than 400 persons; being thus approached, including all members of both branches of the Legislature. Every member of the Ministry had identified himself with the fund, tho Prime Minister contributing terii guineas. The contributions from .outside the Nelson district totalled £56, and in almost every case the remittances were accompanied by letters eulogising tho late_Mr Pitt. Acknowledgment had been made by. letter to. each of these donors, some fifty: Those connected with the volunteer movement, officers and corps, had subscribed close upon £50. Two of- the 'amounts subscribed, Mr. J. H. Cock's £10 Ids and the Church Hill Improvement Society's £10j 'wore conditional on the Church Hill steps being made the form of -memorial.- An, account had been opened with the Post Office Sayings Bank. in the name of the treasurer (Mr J. Glasgow) and .the secretary. ...-.- The Mayor said that the report was very satisfactory, and he congratulate ed the^secretary upon tho energy and ability he had displayed on ..behalf of the fund. . „-...-: .' . ' A letter, received that morning, from the Prime. Minister, stated, thai the Government subsidy of £200 was available as sooiu.as required. ■■ :; The Mayor stated that, the management" of Hayw^rd's Pictures had offered to give ari '''entertainment on. behalf of the fund and; hand over the net proceeds. ■ The offar was accepted with thanks. ;Tho jVla'yor then invited discussion upon the form the memorial should take. He- regretted that there .wore not more subscribers present, but it had been deckled at the previous meeting to discuss the, matter at that meeting. . J ' Mr Fell read & letter from Mr Colin Campbell, the originator of the fund, the writer strongly advocate - a statue as! the most fitting form of -mcimorial, failing that a cairn similar to that erected in. memory, of the late Sir John McKehzie. ') f '■' ; Mr Aitcheson' Smith said that Mr Murray, of Adelaide, one of the legatees: under the will ■ of' the; late. : "Mr John! TinUne, was communicating with other members of Mr Tinline's fam.ilv, and.it was probable that they : or Mr Murray himself would erect ''the church steps. Mr Percy Adams, who was expected, in Nrtlijoii. shortly, had asked him- (Sir Smith) to have plans of steps prepared by the. time of Mr Adams' return. . Mr Cock sympathised with a deal that Mr Campbell had written in .favour of a statue, but to his iniiid' to obtain one that would be a dignified presentment of the late Mr Titt the cost would run into four figures. PerCsonaliy he had. advocated the church steps form of memorial as he did not regard it as a solely utilitarian scheme that: would be- undignified ..as such. It would -be au ornamentation to the city and -if properly . carried out .dbuld not be regarded as undignified.; It. was fully two and a. half years ago since it .was -.mooted that the .steps- would be erected by Mr Tinline's relatives, aud on accotmt of the remoteness of tht probability of this work being undertaken by any. outside people he would adhere to his idea that the. ,- stopswould form a fitting memorial. ' If, however, a form of memorial other than that was decided upon., and it was one that would excite his sympathies, he would allow his subscription to stand as on tho list; he 'wo'iilcl ! not ■reduce it. . -.;. ■-,--. ■ ; ' -■ Mr. Pell Rgreed : with what Mr Cock had said with "regard to a^stituei and the church steps, and he brought forward- a suggestion that - had bean mentioned to him, that there was no dren's ward connected -with 'the Nelson Hospital, and a children's ward^tb be known as""'the Albisrt Pitt . Memorial children's ward would be a 'most gracefiil tribute to. the la"tei Mr ; Pitt, and one Vthat^ uf KfV have? had his utmost' sj'mpathy. Personally, he thought a 'children's ward woiild be the -most fitting memorial, and failing that being acceptable : he would; Suggest that the whole matter be.JSostpone>d until further word had •been re--ceived from' Mr Tinline's relatives. It was mentioned that a ftirther;letter was on the way. to Mr Murray. Mr Fell then moved .that the consideration of the form .of Inemorial be deferrn:! till some reply, had been :; received frpm Mr; Murray. "■ ■ ( r . Mr Baigent secbhded- the motion, and as chairman of the Hospital Board expressed his- pleasure: at Mr Fell's remarks. It was only that; afternoon that Dr Johnston had 'reported upon the rieewssity for the provision of a children's ward. Unforturiately the Board had not the funds to embark; upon such" an' undertaking. He warmly advocated the ward as a, most" fitting form of 'memorial, and" stated that the Board had that afternoon- passed a. resolution respectfully suggesting ;.; that the ward should be given consideration at the meeting. . . ', ;....'. .( . : : ■": Mr Cock favoured the adjournment, saving that he wias. absolutely friendly to the latter suggestion if there Was a probability bL- the other work peirig underfaken outside-' Ha took occasioji to express his - appreciation, of ■-. .;:the" work done first by Mr Colin Campbell and later by?Mr Stiles, Hetookjitaß a remai-kable tribute to -tho esteem and affection m which the late Mr Pitt was held*. that^ it was not more difficult at .this- "time to obtain funds for; a memorial than it was when his death was fresh in memory, the fact showed how much he was beloved. 'The motion was carried ■ and -the meeting closed.