RAHOTU’S SACRIFICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1922, Page 6

RAHOTU’S SACRIFICE.

THE SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL UNVEILING OF THE ARCH. AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY. The memorial arch erected by the residents of the Rahotu district in honor of the .men from that locality who fell in the recent war, was unveiled yesterday afternoon. The fine weather attracted a large attendance, several carloads making the trip from New Plymouth, while the districts round Okato, Rahotu and Opunake were also well represented. Between 50 and 60 returned soldiers from New Plymouth paraded under the command of Lieut. Ainsworth, whilst their numbers were considerably Swelled by the Rahotu contingent of ex-soldiers. The New Plymouth military band was also present, and assisted with the musical portion of the ceremony. Associated on the platform were the Ven. Archdeacon F. G. Evans, Rev. H. A. Coleman, Rev. E. S. Harkness and Rev. Father Doolaghty. The hymns were announced by the Rev. Father Doolaghty; the Lesson, taken from the third chapter of the Book of Solomon, was read by the Rev. H., A. Coleman; while prayers were offered by Archdeacon Evans and the Rev. Harkness. The hymns chosen were appropriate to the occasion, being “0 God, Our Help,” “Fight the Good Fight,” and Kipling’s well-known recessional. The proceedings were commenced with the singing of the National Anthem.

The memorial arch is a fine, commanding structure standing at the entrance to the Rahotu School grounds and facing the South Road. The archway is composed of cobblestones, set in concrete, and is furnished with a main entrance gate, balanced on each side by smaller gates and concrete walls. Across the top panel of the arch are the words: “Their Names Shall Live,” with the dates, “1914-1919.” On marble tablets on either side of the archway are the names of the fallen: Baker, H. Lawn, M. Billing, A. E. Morrow, J. Billing, F. R. Morgan, J. Byrnes, R. Phillips, J. Crokery, F. Sharrock, H. Gibson, W. Smith, D. D. Hall, F. R. Stratton, W. Hainan, F. Ward, W. James, S. Looney, W. G. Surmounting the arch is a gold crown, glistening in the sun. This crown, the gift of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Green, adds the final touch to a splendid and fitting memorial. The work was designed by Mr. W. N. Stephenson, of New Plymouth, and carried out by Mr. G. Robertson, of Rahotu. THE MEN’S SACRIFICE. “The great sacrifices made by our men who left this country in order to fight for King and country and, indeed, for civilisation and religion, was a recognised sacrifice, thoroughly realised by them all,” said Archdeacon Evans, in the course of a short address. “It was a great sacrifice’ of home, of success in life, and of all that men value most. That sacrifice was made ungrudgingly and with an extraordinary cheerfulness. Never were men called upon to suffer to the limit of human endurance more than these men, and never did men face such intense suffering with greater or more heroic spirit. People sometimes wonder whether the sacrifice was worth while — whether it had not been made in vain; but we had no reason to doubt, for no heroism such as they exhibited could be in vain. It has given them an imperishable name in the history of this great Empire, and their memory will be green in this beautiful land of their birth so long as New Zealand endures. No sacrifice can ever be in vain, because it first enobles those who make it and then goes on its way like a- life-giving principle, carrying blessing wherever it goes.” “Now the sacrifice of these our brothers first of all proved their right to the royal heritage of loyalty to the traditions of this great Empire,” continued the archdeacon. “It was in their blood, because they were the sons and grandsons of the splendid pioneers who brought out from the Old Land those fine ideals that enabled them to make English homes in this far-off land and to create, out of a wilderness of wild country, a smiling, prosperous land such as we see around us to-day. No British troops have ever been needed to instil loyalty into the hearts of our noble settlers, for it was ever there, and no slights or wrongs or disiance from the centre could destroy it. Thus the men who left us to fight the battles of the Empire carried with them the noble ideals they had learnt at their mothers’ knees. EMPIRE BUILDERS.

“By their heroic conduct in the various zones of war in which they fought, our brothers claimed the right to stand beside those great spirits who, by their glorious deeds, have made bur Empire what it is to-day. The light from those noble heroes has shone upon our boys and in that light they stand illuminated for ever. The same chivalry was in them all, the same devotion to duty, the same scorning of danger a.id death, the same cheerful endurance of pain and suffering. Some day a poet will arise to sing their praises in such noble Noughts that the children of succeeding generations will long for opportunity to fallow in their steps.

"It is fitting, therefore,” said the speaker, in concluding, “that this beautiful memofal should be raised to the memory of our toothers from this district who thus made Jsew Zealand glorious. It will be a reminder to every passer-by of the sacrifices made on their behalf. It is a fine idea to have it surmounted by a crown, for while the cross is the symbol of sacrifice, yet the crown stands for that wh : ch every sacrifice is bound to gain—life for evermore ” ~1 Turning then towards the memorial arch, the archdeacon loosed the streamers that bound the Union Jack to the memorial, saying, as he did so: “In honored memory of the men from this district who gave their lives in the Great War for King and country, and in the cause of freedom and righteousness, I unveil this monument. May their names ever be held in honor, and may their sacrifice inspire those who come after them to deeds of service and love for their fellow-men.” “The Last Post” was then sounded by Bandsman Kay, after which Mrs. Morrow, on behalf of the parents of the fallen soldiers, placed a wreath at the foot of the memorial. Then followed a touching tribute as the children of the Sunday and day schools filed past the arch, laying at the base of the memorial wreaths and other floral tributes