AN UNKNOWN N.Z. SOLDIER.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1396, 24 May 1923, Page 7

AN UNKNOWN N.Z. SOLDIER.

MEDALS HELD IN TRUST IN AUSTRALIA. The officer in charge of records of the New Zealand military forces recently wrote to the Parrainatta Council concerning a soldier who enlisted in New Zealand, but who gave his birthplace as Parramatta, the oldest town in Australia. The soldier was killed, and it was found impossible to discover anyone who was entitled to the medals issued to him. The New Zealand Department forwarded them to fine Parramatta Council, asking that they be held in trust. The Council accepted the trust, and a ceremony of acceptance was held at the Town Hall. There is a section in the State Local Government Act which enables any council to " accept and hold any real or personal properly conveyed, assigned, devised, or bequeathed to it for any charitable or public purpose." The case of the New Zealand soldier who was born at Parramatta is an instance (says the Sydney Morning Herald) of how this section can be used in a manner whitih will win the approval of all citizens. It would also enable any person who desires to benefit the town or the poor people of it to appoint a resonsihle public body to administer any gift he might make, either while alive or by his will. In other countries such a practice is common. In Australia there is the need for a few examples for others to follow.