WAVERLEY WAR MEMORIAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 7562, 5 May 1919, Page 3

WAVERLEY WAR MEMORIAL.

The following brie? outline of the report about to be preonted to a pubhe meeting; by the Waverley W.-ir Memorial Committee is now issued tor general information. Che public; meeting is to be held in the Town Hall supper room on the evening of Monday, >iay sth, at 8 p.m., and it is hoped that there will be n large attendance of residents to thoroughly discuss th« rarious proposals, and to finally select tile form of commemoration that will stem to those present most likely to secure- the hearty approval and support of those that live in Waverley and the surrounding district. (1) One proposal is that a clubhouse or institute should be ere. ted. 'o include a memorial hall, together with billiard room, reading and writing room, rest room and tea room. The idea is that the hail should have memorial tablets and portraits of the Waverley soldiers, and that the institute .should be under thu charge of a caretaker, etc., controlled by a carefully selected committee with a view to safe* guarding the conduct and influence or the establishment in the future. It >s estimated that the cost of erecting srch a structure as exists at Elthum would be about £3000, while the cost c 1" upkeep would need to be provided j for.

(2) Failing the adoption of such a scheme as the above it is .suggested that, to begin with, the building cousist simply of a memorial hall of imposing appearance, with tablets and portraits as already stated. Such a structure might be built for abotn> £1.000, and would be available as a rest room. It is considered that the cost of upkeep would not be heavy, and later en. if deemed desirable, the larger plan first outlined might be completed. (3) Another proposal was that a suitable monument in stone should be elected. Estimates were obtained from reputable firms from which it appears that the cost of such a monument, together with the uerressary enclosure f.nd inscriptions would lie somewhere between £800 and £iOOO. Alternative designs will be laid before the public meeting.

(4) At the last meeting tof residents the suggestion was made that certain projected improvements to the entrance of the Recreation' Ground might be adapted .to the requirements ot a War Memorial,, but no information was given to the Committee beyond that already exhibited at the original general meeting.

(3) Yet another proposal was that n War Memorial Scholarship Fund, »t failing that, a Prize Fund, should n& established for the express purpose 'of commemorating, the, deeds, of Waverley nen in particular.1 Such scholarships rr prizes'would be offered anually 10 pupils of the Waverley schools who, n addition to proficiency iii general scholarships, show adequate knowledge <>!' the part played by New Zealand soldiers, especially■ Waverley soldiers, i i the Great War. The above U only a rough sketch if the various suggestions offered, and -t is very necessary that the people of Yt'averley district .should be present in large numbers to hear the details of the various schemes. Something ought t:: be done without further delay, andif the movement is not to end' m a fiasco the people must attend in order that' a satisfactory decision may he arrived at. It would be a shame to the district if nothing were done through sLeer lack of interest.