"LEST WE FORGET."

Waipa Post, Volume XXI, Issue 1282, 17 August 1922, Page 5

"LEST WE FORGET."

I'IHONCIA WAR MEMORIAL.

UNVEILING OF TABLETS

OPENING OF NEW HALL.

fc'The long-awaited opening of the Memoiial Hall at Pirongia, together unveiling of the marble tabplace yesterday afternoon unde* magnificent weather conditions and in the presence of a large . and representative gathering of people, settlers coming from all parts , and in many instances travelling long distances in order to participate in the unique and important ceremony.

A Handsome Hall.

Erected on a section donated by Mrs M! J. Berry, the venerated " mother of Pirongia." the hall stands out a conspicuous land-mark a fitting memoral worthy of the Great Cause and the men who suffered and died for it. It symbolises what is- built and treasured in the hearts of the people—the deep-rooted but not flambuoyant sentiment prompting Remembrance of great deeds which contributed nobly to the work ot freeing civilisation from an unparalleled peril. Designed "by Messrs MeInnes and Ross, of Te Awamutu, the hall is a ferro-concrete structure of spacious dimensions ; to be exact the hall proper is 60ft x 40ft, while beyond the eighteen feet depth of the snage are two dressing rooms, While "at the front are two offices. The work of construction was carried out by Messrs Closey Bros. ,of Otorohanga, while the painting and decorating wat, executed by Messlrs Meiklejbhn and Sons, of Kihikihi, and the excellence of their wprkmanship is apparent throughout. The front exterior of the hall presented an inspiring appearance yesterday, with its lavish display of patriotic buntings which was surmounted by a "Union Jack, which had been through the Maori War, 'and which, being lent by Mr W. M. Chapbell, flew triumphantly over the gathering that day.

The Religious Ceremony.

Mr'A. E. SFear acted as master of ceremonies, and in stating that they had Jerected a creditable memorial in the shape of a hall which they had, assembled that day to formally open, read apologies from His Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Jellicoe). Sir Mauri Pomare, - General Sir Andrew Russell, Hon D. H. Guthrie and Mr R. Bollard, M. P. • The assemblage'-, having rendered the [hymn, " Onward, Christian Soldiers," the Rev. A. M. Niblock offered ■a prayer, after which the hymn, "Lead Kindly Light" was sung, followed by a Bible reading by the Rev. S. Henderson. Then followed the first address.

The Spirit of Self-Sacrifice. Rev. S. Henderson expressed his ■pleasure at being present on such an auspicious occasion. He thanked God that by their religious ceremony they recognised the place the- Supreme Being had in the affairs of all. He could not help thinking that Some humble way those brave men who had laid their lives for them, had been imbued with the same spirit which characterised .Jesus Christ, who gave His life as a ransom, for the many. These men were perhans hot religious in the sense of that term as understood to-day, but he thought that their actions and -self-sacrifice had been inspired by the spirit, teachings, and life of Jesus Christ, which they had imbued copiously. men had stood between them and Prussian militarism, and all that for which it stood. Here they had in sharp distinction, the difference between the spiritual and material forces! as expressed by the conflicting parties. Throughout the length and breadth of the British Empire, her people stood for the things which were spiritual, and it was this spirit Avhich had won the war for Britain. On the ofher hand, the principles which Germany had desired to instil into the people had gone by the board so that the higher and better ideals of Right as opposed to Might had triumped. Henry Clay had said that he " would rather be Right 4han the President of the United States," while Abraham Lincoln had said, "Let, us dare to do Right to the end, as God will then be on our isde." Surely these words were pregnant with the meaning behind them. It inspired them to recognise that Right was enthroned, and to doubt Otherwise -would be disloyalty, to falter sin. These men had not faltered when had come the call to enthrone these righteous principles, and they had left them an ennobling example wherein they displayed that great power and courage and fortitude which was akin to the "faith which subdued a kingdom." . They (the people assembled there that day) were free by reason of these men standing between them and the forces which menanced them and he trusted that their example would long endure so that its perpetrating influence would be to the glory of God and the good of the people of the district.

"Play the Game,"

Rev. A. M. Niblock congratulated ' the people of Pirongia on the completion of their memorial. He held that those who had "gone before" were conscious of what was going on and if "the hoys" who had laid down their lives could come back, they would- say that they were doing right in getting the best out of life, to enjoy those things which they ha£ -purchased for them. Prior to the war, Bifjflin was contemptuously referred to as " a shop keepers," and being reserved and conservative, had a peculiar habit of "playing tht gaipe" in a manner which others could not understand. Happily, when the war came the British people "played the game," with a chivalry- comradeship, and a standing by those who were down that was traditional and characteristic. He quoted an instance to show that the word of England Btood for ever ; in fact, she had entered the Great War to keep her pledged word. In that spirit her youth, the flower of the nation's manhood had entered the conflict ; they knew no defeat and "played the game till victory was theim It was. therefore, due from them to "play the game" in the same great spirit as had

animated them and their soldiers during the war period. He fervently hoped that God woulft imbue them with the fighting spirit ; that they would "play the game" chivalrously and well in that beautiful little town of Pirongia.

Telegrams of Apology.

The chairman then read the following telegrams, which had been received by Mr C. Worringham Harte : Regret that owing to my Parliamentary duties 1 cannot possibly attend opening of Memorial Hall. I wish you every success. —Richard F. Bollard.

Extremely sorry we cannot be at the opening of the Memorial Hall. Please accept our best wishes: for success. The splendid spirit shown and work done in the promotion and erection of the. Pirongia. Memorial Hall is much appreciated here because of all it stands for and records. It touches us both personally and very keenly.—A. E. and R. Lang-ley (Kawhai). The Tablets Unveiled.

The chairman then called upon Mrs M. J. Berry and Mrs T. Jones to unveil the memorial tablets at the entrance, remarking that it 'was singularly appropriate that " the mother of Pirongia," who had '-been through the Maori 'war, and therefore knew what wlar meant, should perform the ceremony.

Mr Niblock, on behalf of Mrs Berry, then read the following: . - Parents, kindred, and friends of our brave boys in memory of whom we have met to-day to dedicate this memorial hall: Blessed are they who did their duty,,even unto death, for a just cause, Christian principles, and the honour of Great Britain and the 'Dominion. Mrs Berry then removed the covering from a marble taJblet, upon which h'ad been hung a beautiful wreath, and on which the following had been inscribed: —

LEST WE FORGET.

In commemoration of the service and sacrifice of those 'who served in the Great War. 1914-1918: Ahier, W. R. Alexander, W. M. B'ainibridge, W. IS. ' Bird, S. Corcoran, H. Harwood, J. Harris, E. Jones., R. W. Lynton, A. W. Lynwood, J. '•»"■■■•'■ Lyford, H. Langle'y, R. F. Langley, K. T. McConkey, A. McConkey, A. Macky, A. McCarthy Mugford t •Orms'by, W.

Mrs Jones at the same time removed the draping from a second tablet, on which had been hung a beautiful wreath of poppies from the Mayor and councillors of the horough of Te Awamutu. This stone bore the following inscription:

DUTY NOBLY iDONE. Godfrey, H. A. Goodwin, H. A. ! Goodwin, R. Goodwin, R. C. Johnson, G. J. T. i Lee, 'D. P. McKinnon, J. MoKinnon, K. McKinnon, H. 1 McKinnon, H. A. McKinnon, R. A. McKinnon, R. R. MdNaul, R. 'Meadiway, E. L. Melville, J. Munro, H. H. Rangitakaroro, H. . Reynolds, C. H. Shaw, J. Sheffield, P. Simpson Taylor, J. A. (D.C.M.) Younie, T.

The chairman, in thanking the Mayor of Te Awamutu for the wreath, also mentioned that another tablet would be installed, and on. it would be inscribed following additional names:—

A. C. ©luck ' W. T. Frost J. R. Goldsmith P. P. Grace W. A. Macky Marsh A. R. Scott The hymn, " Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus," having been sung, Mr Niiblook pronounced the Benediction, and the religious ceremony concluded. Opening the Hall.

The chairman then called on Mr J T. Johnson to formally open the hall.

■Mr Johnson commenced by expressing appreciation of the honour conferred upon him by the Pirongia Ha/11 Com'mittee in asking him to perform the ceremony. Such a halil would remind them of the glorious past; _ of deeds accomplished; of something done in a task in which their own friends and neighbours, their own kith and kin, had done the best and noblest to which human life could be given. The outbreak of war in 1914 dame to them as a great shock, which produced dismay to think that in their Christian civilisation such a thing could happen. But Germany had thrown down the challenge that Might was Right, and we had to accept it and fight to present the military" slavedom of civilised nations. He recalled with patriotic pride the' magnificent response by the ■ young men to the call, a fact which : showed that they were imbued with i the fighting spirit of the good old I British stock. At times the outlook had been exceedingly black, but this did not deter theta, but spurred them I on to final victory. The response in I the Pirongia district, as indeed right ! throughout 'New Zealand, showed that their boys 'were eager to uphold the honour of the Dominion. The Pirongia ! district had sent its quota, 'which ' would compare favourably with the : best troops they had in the Brititsh ! Empire. It was particularly appropriate that this should be so, 'as Pirongia for years stood on one of the , Empire's frontiers. The " mother of j Pirongia" could remember well When I Pirongia was & military settlement,

guarded by armed men. They then had in the south a foe, but a chivalrous one. The tablets unveiled that day were a tribute to European and Maori who went side by side in the spirit of chivalry, whch showed that Maoris 'were imbued with the same spirit which characterised their forebears. It was therefore fitting that the boys from Pirongia, which had stood on the early frontier of civilisation in New Zealand, should be found not wanting, but could stand up just like veterans. They had upheld the honour of New Zealand in the same manner and spirit as it had 'been previously sustained in South'Africa. They were all proud of the men who had laid down their lives in the cause of civilisation and freedom. It 'behoved the motto remain* true to the good old traditions of the Union Jack. 'Theirs was a fitting memorial, and was just what the boys 'would like 'if they could but let their desires he known. It was not an obelisk of stone, hut a me-mo-rial of utility, where they could gather socially and in meeting assembled. It'was a useful memorial, and it typified the sacrifice (made by the boys who had lain'down their lives for the freedom We now enjoyed. He trusted that the boys and 'girls present would enjoy that freedom to the fullest extent and apply it to the best advantage. He had much pleasure in declaring 'the hall duly open. (Applause.)

The Mayor of Te Awamutu. Mr L. <G/ Armstrong (Mayor of Te Awamutu), acknowledging the chairman's thanks for the wreath from Te Awamutu, said the idea originated with Mrs Wm. Taylor, and he was deeply glad it had materialised, and that the wreath Was appreciated. He congratulated the people of Pirongia on the splendid result of their memorial effort, which'spoke volumes for the feeling of gratitude, Which lay in their hearts for the men whose memory it was desired to perpetuate, It would surely serve as an inspiration for all to follow and emulate the noble characteristics of the hoys from Pirongia and other parts of the Dominion who responded so magnificently to the Empire's call. As they entered the hall they would he reminded of the brave deeds performed by those men. Many a mother had a /Mank in her life 'because there was some hallowed dpo't at a great distance away which she could not visit. )He felt, however that their memorial—whether a hall, a 'monument, or anything else —would tend to fill that void, and indicated 'that 'the sacrifice of their sons had mot been forgotten; It-hat the people's gratitude was immortalised in these memorials. He congratulated the people of Pirongia on 'their memorial, and trusted that the spirit whch had prompted its erecton would remain witihithem.

'The singing of the .National Anthem concluded the .gathering, a large number of visitors being subsequently entertained to afternoon tea.

FURTHER CELEBRATIONS.

CONCERT AND 'DANCE

The event was further celebrated at night time, when a concert, followed by a dance, was held, the hall being crowded with an appreciative audience, who greatly enjoyed the musical programme submitted, most of the items being vociferously encored. Proceedings opened with a pianoforte solo by,Mr L. J. Hopper, and thereafter songs were rendered 'by Mesdames L. Bach and L. Wells, Masses L. Wells and E. Langmuir, and Messrs T. C. Seaton, W. 'Godfrey, G. Hessell and L. C. Godfrey, while Mr P. A. Wilkinson gave " something original" in the humorous line. Mrs Bach and iMir T. C. Seaton were repeatedly recalled for their efforts, which pleased'the audience immensely. Miss Langtoiudir also contributed a pianoforte solo, while •the accompaniments were played hy Mrs W. H. Bell, Miss Marion Ahier, and Messrs T. C. Seaton and .L. J. Hopper. At the conclusion qf thet.concert, a dance was held, 'the music 'being supplied hy Dalton's orchestra, and the duties of masters of ceremonies being carried out by Messrs F. .Parsons, A. Chappell and Dar'cy Jones. A sumptuous supper provided *by the Ladies was partaken of and thereafter dancing kept up till the wee small hours of the morning, everyone voting the function a great success and quite in keeping with the importance of the occasion.