ROLL OF HONOUR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16872, 24 October 1922, Page 4

ROLL OF HONOUR.

CHEVIOT. The unveiling ceremony of the Cheviot Count}- Honours Board took place in tho Public Hall on Sunday afternoon. the accommodation proving insufficient for the iarge attendance. The I function was arranged by the Cheviot returned soldiers in conjunction with the Cheviot County Council, Mr T. Stevenson, chairman of the County council, occupying the chair. Others present were:—Mr G. W. Forbes M.P., Colonel R. Young. C.M.G., D. 5.0.. O. Southern Command. Captain I'. - West, D. 5.0.. C.M.G., the Revs J. W. P. Dyer and T. Knight. The proceedings took the form of a combined religious service opening with an overture by the orchestra. A Scripture reading by the Rev T. Knight was from the 21st Book of Revelations. 1 to 7, and the 90th Psalm. The Rev ,T. W. P. Dyer gave an address taking as his text the 4th Chapter of Hebrews, 11th verse. Mr T. Stevenson briefly addressed the gathering and then called on Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P., , to perform the unveiling ceremony. 1 Air Forbes referred to matters in connection with the Great War and New Zealand's part therein and pointed out that the spirit of patriotism that moved the men at that time to take tip p their responsibilities so fully was still being perpetuated, vas was shown by the voluntary offers of service in the late crisis. He dealt with the value or honours boards such as he was about to unveil in keeping in mind the spirit of sacrifice and service to one’s country. He made feeling reference, as did the other speakers, to the largp number of names in the centre panel, names of those who had met a death of honour—about one fourth of tk'whole total. Mr Forbes then unveiled the hoard, all standing in silence for the space of a minute, followed by the bugler sounding the Last Post. Many of those present placed wreaths at th« foot of the board. Miss Iris Wilkinson sang “ Nearer My God to Thee.” Colonel Young, in risiug to speak, thanked the committee for the invitation to be present. He said that being a soldier he could not speak of tb' work the soldiers had done, but referred his listeners to the official history i of the war for the records of their deeds. In referring to Mr Forbes's mention of the recent voluntary offers of service lie said that some 4500 in the South Island had volunteered, 50 per cent of whom were young men between the ages of twenty and twentyfour. Turning to the children on tho stage he addressed them interestingly , pointing out the meaning the names on the board would have for them in th ' future. The proceedings terminated with the singing of the National Anthem and a benediction by the Rev Dyer. The honours board is a fine piece of work designed and executed by the Rev Pritchard. It is placed in position in the public hall, is lift by 7ft with four side panels and a large centre panel bearing the names of those who died in the war. This panel is headed with the inscription: ” In grateful memory of those who fought and died ilie death of honour in the Great War,” and at the bottom, “ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man layeth down his life for his friends.” The total number of names on the board is 148. .of which thirty-five occupy the centre panel.