PAPANUI MEMORIAL HALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16704, 8 April 1922, Page 10

PAPANUI MEMORIAL HALL.

FOUNDATION STONE LAID.

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Papanui War Memorial Town Hall and Library took place this afternoon in the presence of a good attendance of residents. The ceremony was performed by Mr W. J. W alter, chairman of the Waimairi County Council.

Before the proceedings commenced, those present stood in silence for a minute as a tribute to the fallen soldiers. Corporal Andrew, of St. Andrew’s College, sounded the Last Post” and the C.E.M.S. Band Jed those present in the singing of two verses of ‘‘ Abide With Me.”

Before calling upon Mr Walter to perform the ceremony, Mr L- B. Hart, chairman of the War Memorial Committee, said that 163 boys of Papanui had gone to the front. The following made the supreme sacrifice —C. Chapman, G. G. Cassin, Frederick Coates, Frank Daniels. Thomas Devening. L. Perrett. Arthur Riverton, Robert Gunn. Here ward Hopkins, Leslie Jesson. George Kerri dg-e, Gibson Lowe, dames M’ Arthur, Edgar Maw son, Albert Patrick, John Riordan, Edward Schumacher. Frederick Schumacher, James Schumacher and G. W Smith. Mr Hart said it. was intended to place a marble slab above the foundation stone, hearing the names of the fallen. The committee also wished to have the photographs of nil the Papanui hoys who went to the front so that they could be framed and placed inside the hall.

Mr .T. vSmith. who is building the hall, then presented Mr Walter with a silver trowel.

Before performing the ceremony of laying the stone Mr Walter said ho wished to congratulate the people of Papanui on the patriotic work they had done during the war. They had raised hundreds of pounds to send gifts and comforts to the soldiers at the front. Then had been undertaken the big work of providing a suitable memorial to the men who had fought and died, and he wished to congratulate them on the result of their efforts. Mr Walter then performed the ceremony of laying the stone, which hears the following inscription : ” This stone was laid by W. J. Walter, chairman Waimairi County Council, April 8, 1922. L. B. Hart, chairman of committee.”

Addresses were also delivered by Mr R. W. Hawke, representative of the Papanui riding on the Waimairi Countv Council. Messrs G. Witty and I>. Jones. M.P.’s, and the Hon D. Buddo.