QUEEN'S PARK WAR MEMORIAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18618, 24 October 1922, Page 2

QUEEN'S PARK WAR MEMORIAL

Monday's committee meeting of the above resolved to ask the press to make public their last communication with the Wanganui County in support of a united voluntary commemoration of the fallen men of Wanganui and district, which would save unnecessary expense. A deputation last August to the County Council urged that the names of the adjoining Counties’ and the Borough’s heroic dead be placed on a memorial situated near the point of their common assembly and departure in silent comradeship imperishably. The committee’s letter to last Friday’s Council was as follows;

RE WAR MEMORIAL. Provided.your Council, as hinted by your chairman, is re-considering their attitude consequent upon the, Borough’s withdrawal, Queen’s Park Committee cordially renew their invitation, as it depends upon your cooperation with it whether the North boys’ names are to be also engraved on the one Memorial suitably placed for the district generally, as desired and resolved upon at the public meeting in August, 1920. when your Council agreed to join with the Borough. Since that date substitutions and alterations aroused protests that the Borough Counc 1 could not ignore. Few will blame them for refusing to further the 100 foot tower scheme —costing thousands—being raised on 54 perches costing nearly £lOOO, and Inis to provide an attractive scenic lookout. The present lift tower towards which the Borough ratepayer handsomely subscribed should satisfy tourists’ requirements. Again, hov- could they honestly spend much-needed funds upon a so-ealled memorial which, without the grant of a certain property and the removal of tall trees thereon—and these we understand will not be available —might, according to one of the other committee,

“in the future be screened from the city?” Nor could the Borough Council reasonably turn a deaf ear to the appeal by petition of. nearly 300 bereaved relatives; nor to nearly 3000 residents of the Borough and suburbs. For Queen’s Park proposal not a penny is required beyond the actual cost of the monument. Tbc site is free, roads and footpaths formed, and there, set amid quiet peaceful gardens, it would form a common resort for town and country visitors to see whenever they chose, the glorious names of those whose sacrifice won our freedom. What other spot hereabouts is so eloquent of earlier struggles or formed such a refuge for the helpless women and children? The veterans petitioned for it. A two to one majority voted for it. The School Committees were nearly unanimous in its approval. Seven Borough Councillors present at the 1920 initial meeting favour it. Two hundred persons at a public meeting twelve months ago elected our committee. Two ex-presidents (R.S.A.) joined that committee. Nearly one thousand subscribers prove their sincerity by their gifts. Every avenue towards unanimity has been explored by my committee. To erect two memorials is extravagant and foolish; and to thus permanently record our present disagreement is little short of wicked. If your Council can even now bring about some reasonable compromise conformable with the wishes of the majority you will be dojng a public service, and removing obstacles that have too long impeded the course of good-will among us as a community.