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TO THE FALLEN

TAIHAPE WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED BY GOVERNORGENERAL. VISIT TO HIGH SCHOOL. In brilliant sunshine yesterday, His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral of New Zealand (Sir Charles Fergus son) unveiled the war memorial at Taihape, in the presence of about 3000 people. (Special to “Chronicle.”) TAIHAPE, May 17.

On arrival in Taihape the GovernorGeneral paid a visit, to the District High School, accompanied by the Alayor (Air A. J. Joblin), and delivered a short address to the pupils, as follows:

“You know it is not very easy to talk to all of you, fur you are all shapes and sizes, and what 1 want to say to the big ones, the little ones won’t understand. I have come on this visit as representative of the King. When the King was here 26 years ago, he was very interested in our children, and he always likes to hear about them, when I write to him, so in my next letter I shall tell the King of my visit to Taihape School. Now I want to say something that will interest all the children and the adults as well. Last year in May, 1 made a visit across the sea to the Islands — •Samoa and Fiji. The children and people there, are very much like oW Maoris, and line people too. The first thing on our arrival wo visited the school children, about 5000 or 6000. We noticed every boy or girl was wearing on his or her coat a little pointed badge. This badge, consists of five five points, each with a special meaning: First point—Love of God, second point —Loyalty to our King, third point —Loyalty to our Country, fourth point —Loyalty to our neighbour, and fifth point —Loyalty to oneself. We should all make up our minds to make our country better. We can learn a great lesson from the Samoan children. 1 want you all to say to-day: ‘1 am going to do something to make our country better.’ Let your motto be ‘Try and make New Zealand better,’ and whatever your work is, do it well. “I am going to ask the committee for an extra day’s holiday, boys and girls, in remembrance of the Governor’s visit, and you must always keep in your mind that little motto: ‘I must try and make New Zealand better.’ ” Great Sacrifices. At the unveiling of the memorial, his Excellency said: — “I feel a great honour in being asked to unveil this memorial for the brave men who gave their lives for their country. They were mon. It is a fine memorial. I know from personal experience that their one thought was home, dark days or bright: ‘What are they doing at home?’ I don’t think we realise what they have done: they gave their lives, they made sacrifice, and we owe them our present happiness and peace. Their wonderful example of courage, pluck and endurance will inspire those who come after. We owe more: they taught us ordinary people i like you and me that we could rise to the heights of self-sacrfice for the call of the bugle, after all, is the call of God. “This is not a day of remorse—those who have given their lives would not wish it so, but a day of rejoicing. ” His Excellency then unveiled the momerial upon which wreaths from the school, Returned Soldiers’ Association, Patriotic Council, Hospital, Guides, Scouts, Fire Brigade, primary schools, Presbyterian Church and Sunday schools were placed. The gathering was also addressed by Mr W. S. Glenn, AI.P. for Raugitikei, who referred to the fact that although the population of the country was not much more than a million when the war broke out, over 100,000 men went'from these shores, 17,000 of whom did not return.

Returned men were inspected by the Guvernor-Gcneral before the ceremony, his Excellency being introduced by the Alayor. A hymn was sung, a prayer and tne Benediction being given by the Rev. E. Rich. The Taihape Band played the hymn and a dirge, and gave the National Anthem at the conclusion of the ceremony.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19270518.2.63

Bibliographic details

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19843, 18 May 1927, Page 8

Word Count
680

TO THE FALLEN Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19843, 18 May 1927, Page 8

TO THE FALLEN Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19843, 18 May 1927, Page 8