SOLDIERS’ CARILLON.

Thames Star, Volume LIX, Issue 16787, 14 May 1926, Page 5

SOLDIERS’ CARILLON.

FOR WELLINGTON CITY fund for bells opens. AN OPTIMISTIC SPIRIT. The following ; nformation regarding the proposal of Wellington City to erect a Carillon of Bells as a War Memorial is published by a contemporary : A meeting was held on Wednesday night, at which the Chairman said the executive was working to plan, and the campaign would open on the 15th just., and it would be carried out in a limited time. Membership of the society had been fixed at 2/6, in order to enable all to join, but it was hoped those who could give more, would do so. They were asking lor 49 bells for the city, and they would get them. The response up to the present had been very encouraging, and he 'had no doubt- that they would raise the amount required. The biggest bells would cost £1450 each, and would weigh five tons, while the smaller bells would, cost from £25 to £3O each. It was' expected that several bells would be given, although no definite gifts had yet been made.

Mr. G. Mitchell said he had been convinced that a. silent memorial would not make the appeal that was expected. The music of the peal of bells would always appeal, and several members of the War "Memorial Society had decided to throw in their lot with the carillon. No doubt many would agree that there was room for the two bodies. A carillon of 49 bells would be an everlasting joy to Wellington and its people. They were determined to have the best carillon in the world for Wellington. They could not say yet where the site would be, but it must be in some open space where people could gather round for meetings. The bells would cost approximately £IO,OOO, and the, campanile amount to £20,000. Their first effort would be , to get the bells, 1 and the committee felt that relatives of, those who fell in the war should have the first opportunity’of donating a bel-1 to the memory of dear ones sacrificed in the war Possibly groups of people, districts or organisations in and around Wellington might also desire to give bells. In the ease of those who could not afford to contribute a bell, it was suggested that the whole of the outside stones should be dedicated 'to some, which would enable the poorest people to commemorate their sons in the campanile. The campaign would be commenced on the 15th, and would be cleared up in a few weeks, so that what was to be done must be done at once. They felt that a sharp, short campaign would give them all they wanted. t Mr. F. D. O’Halloran (Mornington) thought more confidence would be felt in the project if the site was definitely settled upon at once. i , The Chairman said the question of site required consideration, for the site suitable for the silent memorial would not be suitable for the carillon. Many people thought the Basin Reserve or Mount Cook lent itself for such a purpose. Captain R. H. Nimmo said lie had been asked where the site was likely to be. The Officer Commanding the Territorials also desired to know inhere the .site was going to be before placing the campaign before them. The meeting then adjourned till next Wednesday.