WAR MEMORIAL.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15203, 16 October 1919, Page 6

WAR MEMORIAL.

MEETING OF CITIZENS

MONUMENT ON BOTANICAL HILL

A meeting of the War Memorial Committee and others interested was held at the City Council Chambers last evening, the Mayor (Mr W. W. Snodgrass) presiding. About 20-persons were present. . ■ ■-.' . " ':'■■ ''.■■' ''

The secretary (Mr G, A. Edmonds) i read the minutes of a meeting of the ; sub-committee set tip to Consider the: form of memorial, as follows:—It was resolved that the form of memorial be non-utilitarian. .Several suggestions as to the form of tne memorial were considered, and it was revoked that the following recommendations bo made to goneral committee:—(a) An arch at entrance to tlio proposed bridge in Trafalgar street; (b) a 'bold momiment on : the Botanical Hijl. It was also resolved that the memorial bear a suitable in- | scription, but no names, as suggested, by I the Returned Soldiers' Association. It was resolved that the City Engineer be Asked to submit sketches for proposals | (a) and (b). ] The Mayor, speaking to the report,' ' said that he had found a general feeling i that a memorial should be erected. Ho j did not favour a largo sum being ex[pended, but he hoped that somotliing; I would be dono to'pommemorate the part : taken 'by Nelgon in the Great War. I. Clauses of the sub-committee's report I were then considered. ! On. the motion of the chairman, sec- ■ ondod *by Mr F. G. Gibbs, the proposal ■ that the form of memorial bo non-utili- | Itirian was adopted. I It was resolved, on the motion of the | chairman, seconded by Mr H. R. Dun- , can, that voluntary subscriptions be solicited. The chairman said the Government I had given local bodies authority to make I contributions towards a memorial, but ; personally he thought that any grant j t made should be for preparing the site, j ; the memorial to be erected by subscription. Tho two forms of memorial suggested | were then submitted to the meeting. In reply to the Rev. E. D. Patchett, | the chairman saidoliat tho sub-commit-tee thought it would bo 'better to decide the form of memorial before appealing for subscriptions. Mr F. G. Gibbs moved that, in the event of authority being given for the erection of a bridge over the Maitai river at Trafalgar street, proposal (a) be adopted. The Rev. Mr. Patchett seconded the motion. Mr H. R.. Duncan moved as an amendment that the memorial be a monument on the Botanical Hill. Ho said that thefe was no certainty of a bridge being ejected, and a monument on the Botanical Hill could be seen from tlie city and the bay, and would be an outstanding feature for all time. Mr A. Oldershaw secondod the amendment. Mr J. G. Littlejohn said that it would jbe essential if the monument was erected on the Botanical Hill to have properly graded paths to enable people to walk to the top in comfort. it Mr T. Pettit favoured the erection of the arch in Trafalgar street. The Mayor said the form of memorial he favoxired was not before the meeting. Of the two proposals under consideration he favoured the erection of a monument on the Botanical HOI. The amendment was put and carried oh a 6how of hands. The Mayor said he felt sure the Council would spend a good deal of money in improving the approaches to tho summit. A number of trees would have to be removed, and in this connection he mentioned that the pinus insignis trees growing on the hill were planted as a memorial at the time of the Queen's I Jubilee «in 1887. Originally they were set out in the form of the letters "V.R." surmounted by a crown, but the scheme had long since been obliterated. The Rev. Mr. Patchett moved a further amendment that the form of memorial be left to the subscribers. He thought that a meeting could be held for this purpose when the lists were closed. ; Mr Pettit seconded the amendment. ' Mr Duncan did not think lhat the public would subscribe to something they knew nothing about. Two meetings j had already been called to consider the [proposals, and he did not think they, would get a larger meeting at a future date. Tho amendment was put and lost on a show of hands, and the proposal to erect a monument on the Botanical Hill was then carried. A canvassing committee consisting of the Mayor, Messrs Oldershaw, Duncan, VV. Honlker, Rev. Mr. Patchett, and Mr G. A. Edmonds, with power to add to their number, was set up to canvass for subscriptions. The Mayor opened the subscription list by donating £25 towards the memorial. Ho also suggested that all material for the memorial should be obtained locally. On Mr Duncan's motion, it was resolved that Mr Littlejohn (the City Engineer) be asked to submit a sketch of tho proposed memorial. On the motion of the Rev. Mr. Patchett, seconded by Mr Gibbs, it wa.s resolved to write and ask the City Council to improve the approaches to the summit and the. general character of the Botanical Hill. Tho mover suggested that the City Engineer might report on the matter of providing a motor read to the top. After some discussion the Rev. Mr. Pa tchett'ft suggestion, was embodied in the motion. The meeting then adjourned.