ROLL OF HONOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1920, Page 6

ROLL OF HONOR.

THE BELL BLOCK SCHOOL. TRIBUTE TO OLD BOYS. A Roll of Honor of ex-pupils of the Bell Block school who saw active service was unveiled yesterday, on the second anniversary of the Armistice. TJiere was a good assemblage of residents at the Bell Block school grounds, and the children were also lined up for the function.

The chairman of the school committee (Mr. J. W. Downs) in opening the proceedings, read an apology from Mr. S. 0. Smith, M.P., who was unable to attend owing to pressure of Parliamentary duties. Mr. Downs said that the afternoon's proceedings constituted an event in (lie history of the school, but it was to he hoped that they would never require to have another similar ceremony, as the unveiling of a roll meant that someone had sull'ered, and that there had been war and bloodshed.

The chairman said that the roll contained between fifty and sixty names of men who had passed through' the school, though it was not claimed ' that they went from the district at the time of joining up. Some, unfortunately, had fallen, and others had come back with honors

Rev. Martin, religious instructor at the school, paid 'tribute to the Taranaki Indication Board in making it possible for ministers to come; he also referred to the splendid co-operation received from the teachers. There was a reverence and sincerity regarding the religious (caching which ' made the work comparatively easy. The speaker said the rolls of honor had been very difficult for the people to accept because they were reminders of many hearts broken and lives left very low. As the years went on however, this feeling was being lessoned by the efflux of time. The speaker also addressed a few words appropriate to the occasion to the boys and girls. The chairman of the Taranaki Education Board (Mr. P. ,1. White) remarked fltat the function was only one of many throughout New Zealand and all over the Empire. Many eulogistic references had been made of the doings of the boys at the front, and whatever had been said he felt sure they would agree that nothing was too good as a tribute to the soldiers who had served the Empire and stood for honor and, truth. They had not finished the work the hoys had commenced. Jt was necessary for all living side by side to help one another in neighborly acts.as the men at the front died side by side. Mr. White said he was one of those who felt that the world was showing a better spirit as the result of the war. After thanking the committee for the opportunity to be present, Mr. White then unveiled the roll. It is comprised of a neat illuminated parchment in frame, and is surmounted by the inscription "Bell Block Public School, Roll of Honor, Great War, lAI4-IS." The following paragraph prefaces the list of names:—"The residents of the Bell Block District hereby place on record their appreciation of the self-saeri-

(icing patriotism which proniptrd so many of those who were educated in the school to enrol in the cause of liberty, justice, and humanity." Following is the Roll, the asterisk aFtor certain names denoting the killed: J. Catchpole, Kiri Tamati, C Street*, A. H. Street, E. C. King, P. Sole, A. Nixon, (!. Sahvay, S. P. Richards, ,i. Jeil'rey*, A. .leffrev, 6. l'otts*, R. "Dixon, V, Holmes, U. Giddy, K. (iiddy, S. Hoby*, R. Hoby, C. Kaltenlmry*, R. Rattenbury, K. Dustow*, W. Bishop, A. (Bishop*, L. Bundle, P Andrews, A. Muck, 10. Catchpole, A. Catchpole, L. lietlringer, E. Colson, L. Buckingham, C. Pepperell, N. Pepperell, W. Smith, K. Smith, .1, Smith, F. Shirley, R. Bakewelt, S. Jenkins, R. Orchard, j Eva, (i. Skeltou, P. Whitcombe, VV. Raynor, C. Raynor, A. Raynor, <!. Raynor, Ij. .Raynor, 11. Rook, (i Pott, A. Callaglian, F. Callaghan, \V. Aubrey. At the conclusion of the, ceremony the pupils of the school indulged in a number of organised games, and later afternoon tea was served at the hall