THE BRIDGE OPENED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17383, 11 November 1924, Page 7

THE BRIDGE OPENED.

DEDICATION OF CANTERBURY'S WAR MEMORIAL.

Under grey skies relieved by occasional bursts of sunshine, Hie Rriflgc of Remembrance, the memorial erected by the people of Christchurch to the memory of all those from Canterbury who served in the Great War, was officially opened this morning by the Governor-General, Lord Jellicoe, in the presence of a large crowd of people. The ceremony was simple but impressive. and it was appropriately brought to a close bv the two minutes’ silence observed on Armistice Day, the sounding of the “ Last Post,” and the National Anthem.

Long before the time appointed for the commencement of the ceremony people began to arrive, an f j by 10 a.m. all the approaches to the bridge were crowded. V antage points on various buildings in the vicinity of the bridge were packed. A guard of honour provided by tlie New Zealand Field Artillery was drawn up in Cambridge Terrace at the approach to the bridge, whilst a company of returned soldiers in mufti beaded by the band of (lie Ist Canterbury Regiment Mas drawn up in Cashel Street facing the bridge. A company of four officers and twenty Marines from H.M.S. Dunedin under the command of Commodore A. .Beale was drawn up on the bridge itself, and also a. company of Girl (Dudes. Vromptly at 10 a.m . bis Excellence accompanied by Lady Jellicoe arrived. After the Royal Salute had been given. Lord Jellicoe inspected the guard of honour. He was then received by the Mayor (Mr J A Flesher). Mrs J. \\ vri Irwin presented a bouquet to Lady Jellicoe. The vice-regal party was conducted to the platform erected at the western end of the bridge from which tb c speeches were delivered. A number of seats for elderly people, ladies and disabled soldiers was provided near tlie platform, and these were fully occupied. J here was a large crowd gathered round the platform, and also at the eastern end of the bridge, and a large number of people were unable to hear the speeches that were delivered. After Lord Jellicoe had declared the bridge open, accompanied by the Mayor. Lady Jellicoe and otligr members of the official party he* walked across the bridge to the eastern end, where be took up his position at a saluting base under the arch of the bridge. The returned soldiers beaded by the band followed, thus symbolising the departure of the men for the war? After the ex-soldiers, had proceeded a little v. a y down Oxford Terrace, they turned and waited at the eastern end of the bridge until 11 a.m., when tlie two minutes’ silence was observed. After this the returned men again crossed the bridge, thus symbolising the return of the men from the woi\ and the ceremony was brought to -i close. At the eastern end of the bridge, a number of beautiful wreaths were bun r on a frame work. The following were amongst those who forwarded wreaths: --Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association. Mayor, Councillor.- and Citizens of Christchurch, employees of J. Ballsntyne and Co. staff and students of the Christchurch Training College. Canterbury (New Zealand) Branch ”of the Navy League. Lvttelton Harbour Board. Harbour Eight Girls Overseas Club. Dunedin, and Minister of Defence and Lady Rhodes. After the ceremony a large number of people took the opportunity of walking across the bridge for the first time.

A UNIQUE MEMORIAL. Mr Andrew Borrows, chairman of L.ie Bridge of Remembrance Committee, said they had met tu do honour to the men and all others who had made sacrifices in connection with what was termed the Great vv ar. Many memorials had been erected throughout the .Dominion, hue tne. Canterbury Bridge j of Remembrance was unique in that : the spot in which it was erected carrj ivied with it associations never to be j forgotten. It was over the Avon that j the men went on their way to tight in 1 4ho cause of right. The suggestion , for the memorial came from Mrs J. j W yii Irwin and it was to Iter indefatigable husband that they largely owed its completion. It was impossible to realise nilly tho deep interest Mr and Mrs ‘Wyii Irwin took in tho work from its inception. |no memorial was erected by tne citizens of (’hristchurc-h as a visible mbletn of tlieir gratitude and to ensJn ine tlieir reverence ol those who took part in tlie Great War, 1911-1919. Mr Borrows read a brief report of the first meeting of the Bridge of Remembrance Committee and added that on February , .1921, the memorial received the support of the City Council, which agreed to provide the funds for understructure uf the bridge. Competitive designs j were called for and out of twenty-four 1 received, the design submitted by Messrs Prouse and Glimmer was selecti and they were appointed architects for the bridge. The successful con,ractors were Messrs D. Scott and Sons, of Christchurch, and tx.e worK was started on January 23, 192 \ On oehalf ol the committee lie extended hearty congratulations to the architects. contractors, sculptors and masons on the completion *of the bridge r__ I thanks to the Mayor and councillors -litd all others who had assisted id cou--ction with the memorial. APPROPRTATfij INSCRIPTION. (In April 25, 1923, Anzac Day, his Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Jellicoe, had laid the foundation stone and it was more than fitting that Lord Jellicoe should open the bridge. The inscription, “Quid non pro patria ? ” - “ What will a man not do for bis iountry Y ” was, lie thought, most appropriate. They gave thanks to God. or those who in His infinite inerev .me back again, and they extended their sincere sympathy to the relatives of those who had not returned. Memories crowded upon them as they gazed t the beautiful arch, a. memorial not ly to the dead but to the living, and he asked that they should never forget that when going over the bridge, that the place in which they were treading was sacred. Tn building the bridge they bad lion on red those who had made orifices for others but be hoped the time would soon come when the need for the erection of such memorials would have passed for ever. (Applause.,'

THE DEDICATION. L,c*cl by ins Grace Archbishop Julius, tiic vast throng then stood and recited the Cord’s Prayer. alter which ins (■race ottered up the Dedication Prayer. Ihis was ioliowed by the singing i i the hymn: ‘ O God, Our Help in Ages ihc Hon Sir li. I lesion Rhodes, Minister oh Defence, said that when lie received a telegram l'rotu the Prime Minister regretting that his health di.l not permit of him being present and asking him (Sir Heaton) to represent the Government, lie felt that lie would j lie a. poor substitute for the Prime ! .Minister of the Dominion. Ncverthoj ic-s lie could not help fooling some j gratification for being associated in j me opening of the memorial to Can- ] terbury’s illustrious <lead. He was proud as the representative of the Government to be able to deliver the , Prime Minister’s message, but he was j prouder still, as a Canterbury man, to be present ~ to do honour to those Heroes to whose memory the bridge was erected. Air Massey said he was sorry he could not be with them ana expressed his pleasure that the memorial had been erected, and wished lo congratulate the Bridge of Remembrance Committee and the citizens jf Christchurch on the beauty of tin design and the excellence of the workmanship of the memorial. He hoped that) the bridge would serve the purpose lor which it was erected an., would be an everlasting memorial to those who had laid down their live.and all others who had made sacrifices m the Great War. I A CONSTANT REMINDER. ; 'ibe bridge would be a constant reminder to future generations of the sacrifices that had been made during the Great War. In remembering the men and the nurses they would als I tc member those who had kept the seas open. With end them not one man ! could have crossed the seas in safety, j He was gratified t«> be able to speak j on such an important occasion, beenuso during his mission to Gallipoli, and to Egypt and Frame. he had gained a full knowledge of the sufferings thai the men had endured. They were honouring not only the dead but also the living, and lie ventured the fervid hope that the bridge would serve to encourage future generations to make sacrifices in the interests of peace and to do their duty to help one another. (Applause.) RETURNED SOLDIERS’ TRIBUTE. Colonel H. Stewart. (J.M.G., D.S.O , M.C.. president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association and a Do of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association, said lie was pleased on behalf of the returned soldiers of the Dominion and of the district, to congratulate the citizens of Christchurch on the successful completion el such a suitable memorial in memory of the sacrifices ma le by Canterbury during the war. He also desired to extend to the relatives of the fallen the association’s heartfelt sympathy. The men had given of their best iu defence of the Empire and of this Dominion against a strong and vicious enemy. The association was glad «o commemorate not only the work of the righting men but also of the civil population They realised that wars were won not* only by the soldiers and sailors but also by the steadfast determination of the people at home. On behalf of the association Col--1 onel Stewart expr* ss d thanks to the people of New Zealand and the people of Canterbmy in particular for the splendid support thev had given to the lighting men during the war and after they had come back. The association believed that there would patriotism in this Dominion. 1 '(Apmemorial present fd to city. Mrs J. \\ yn Irwin. on whose suggestion the memorial was adopted in the

form cf a Bridge of Remembrance then handed to the Mayor (Air J. A. Elesher) as the representative of the city, a letter transferring the bridge from the committee to the city as •* sacred trust. The letter was as follows : To the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Christchurch. On behalf of the contributors to the Bridge* of Remembrance, we desire the city to ai-cppt the bridge as a memento wish Is that the bridge may commemorate the living- as well ns the dead; that if may he » token to remind future generations of the sacrifices of all who gave service in the time of terrible stress: of the soldiers and sailors who fought: of the nurses who so nobly ministered t<> the sick, the wounded and the dying: of the parents who gave their children to the righteous cause, of all who assisted in the glorious result ultimately achieved. Across the stream which the bridge spans our troops went forth to battle and fought the fight of freedom. Their valour and their example will ue an inspiration for ages to come. The bridge is our tribute to that noble band of men and women who. at the call of King and gave up all seas to face the horrors of war in defence of those they loved, and it is a special tribute to the memory of our dear dead: those valiant souls who freely gave their lives that we might We hope and pray that the city will preserve this bridge in its original state pure and unsullied, without alteration or defacement, us a symbol to future generations of the glorious deeds of those who took part or assisted in the groat struggle and of our desire that ; their achievements shall he an everlasting reminder of the magnitude of their Signed) A. BORROWS', Chairman of Bridge of Hemetibranoe Committee. (Signed) J. WYX lIC.VIN. MAYOR ACCEPTS TRUST. Th© Mayor said that he was honoured to be asked to accept the bridge. •• On behalf of the people of this city,” lie said. “ 1 undertake that this bridge will always be preserved and cared lor m grateful remembrance of those who did so much for us. I also desire to express the citizens’ appreciation of the work done by the committee through whose indefatigable efforts this beautiful memorial has been erected. Every time the citizens cross this bridge there will be. a reminder of the groat sacrifices that have been made. We would need nothing better than tins to tell us of the exploits of our soldiers, of the self-sacrificing efforts of the civilians, and for all time this will he u reminder of these deeds of bravery, acts of mercy and of love.” Air J. Wyn Irwin thanked all who so splendidly helped the committee in their efforts to build a noble memorial, lie counted it the greatest honour ,ie could ever have to have been connected, e-ten in a slight way, with the erection of the memorial. I he Mayor then asked his Excellency to open the bridge. It- is most fitting that you should do/' he said. “ because of the responsible position vou held in the war as the head cf that great service which is the keeper of tile British nation. . - AY© shall never forget the deep interest you have always displayed in the welfare of the soldiers, particularly since you liavj been Governor-General of New Zealand ( Applause.) One of your first public functions was to lay the foundation tone of the Returned Soldiers’ Clu’ which now hears your name. In 1923. on th© anniversary of Anzac Dav. you laid the foundation stone of this Bridge of Remembrance, and it is even more appropriate that to-dav. the sixth an niversary of Armistice Day. your last public function in this citv should be the opening of the bridge. Irrespective of your position of Governor-Gen-eral. there is none worthier than your -elf to perform this sacred duty. (Applause.) HIS EXCELLENCY’S REMARKS. “ Ceremonies such as these.” said his Excellency, “have been ail too familiar to me during the four years that I have spent in this Dominion. This ceremony will live long in my memory, krst of all because it is the last occasion on which, as his Majesty’s representative in New Zealand, I am honoured by being asked to do honour to New Zealand’s soldiers, and. secondly, because of the immense assemblage, which i see before me in this historiccity of Christchurch—an assemblage such as I have never seen before on an occasion as this during my four year* in the Dominion. •• A dav like this, whilst it brings back many painful and sad memories to all hearts. (Joes at the same time bring to those hearts a feeling of great priiL in the achievements which New Zealand's Expeditionary Force carried out during the Great War. I deeply regret the absence through illness of th. JtTuno Minister of the Dominion, been use 1 feel that in such a ceremony as tins his ‘absence is greatly to be de pored, and his presence would be ver> much appreciated - (Hear, hear) —not only because of the high office which h. holds in New Zealand but also because he is the only Prime Minister who auled by his colleagues in the- Xationa Government, shouldered responsibility during the war and still remains in office. (Hear, hear.) SACRED MEMORIES. “ All war memorials that are erected have as their object, a reminder to the people of wfiat they signify, hut of ail th© war memorials which 1 have seen i think that this Bridge of Remembrance is especially designed to bring back to the hearts of those now living, and to stimulate in the hearts of those yet to come, memories—sacred memories connected with the Great "War ; memories of those thousands who, inspired by loyalty, a determination to protect th© weak, - a determination to uphold the sacredness of treaties, to protect their homes,, and to save the .mo and honour of the Empire, trod the bridge which this one replaces, during the years of the Great War. “The Bridge will also recall memories oi most gallant deeds performed by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and will recall duty well done. Jt will recall that chivalry and splendid discipline of New Zealand's soldiers, all of which culminated in that victory which led our enemies six years ago to-day to sue for an armistice, and there is no one connected with any profession more than a sailor and naval officer who feels greater the honour being paid him by being asked to take part in a ceremony to do honour to New Zealand’s soldiers and especially those from Canterbury. LESSON OF SACRIFICES. I he Navy saw on the historical shores of Gallipoli what New Zealand soldiers were capable of doing. It was their privilege to share in that wonderful record of determination, of tli© will to victory, and of the refusal to admit defeat for which Gallipoli will over bo famous. And this bridge will recall, too. memories of great suffering, anguish, and sorrow in the hearts of those who lost their loved ones. It recalls also th© suffering of those thousands of New Zealand soldiers who cume back maimed—many incapacitated for life—and it is a reminder to do our duty to those bereaved, for whom wo feel such deep sympathy, and to those maimed soldiers, who should be. and who are", New Zealand’s first care. (Applause.) Of all parts of the Em pire, I . will not hesitate to say, nowhere are returned soldiers betto looked after or cared for, especially those maimed, than in this Domini : (Applause.) . INSPIRATION FOR THE FUTURE Finally this bridge is designed to

bring back to the children of this generation and of all future generations, a reminder of* what has been done to preserve to them freedom and safety. It should lie. and, no doubt will be, ail inspiration to future generations to preserve unsullied that great reputation which was earned for New Zealand by her soldiers during the Great War. ji will, I feel sure, be an incentive to everyone in this Dominion to preserve that great unity of Empire to whir-h the Allies so much owed their victory and to see that in the future the British Empire, as in the past, stands for justice and for freedom.” (Hear, hear.) His Excellency then cut a ribbon stretched across the end of th© structure and declared the bridge open. The march past of the returned soldiers followed, amidst applause.