THE DOBSON MEMORIAL.

West Coast Times, Issue 651, 25 October 1867, Page 2

THE DOBSON MEMORIAL.

*» TO THE EDITOR OE THE WEST COAST T-3JES. Sib, — I was greatly surprised to sec in your issue of this morning a report to tho effect that at a meeting of the Municipal Council, held last evening, Mr Sale, "as Treasurer of the Dobson Memorial Fond, requested to be informed where the Council would erect the obelisk to the memory of the late George Dobson and three others, who had lost their lives in exploring the West Coast." A very long time ago a meeting was called by advertisement, and was held at the Cafe de Paris, at which it was determined to adopt an address of condolence to Mr Dobson's family, and. to promote measures for the erection of a monument to Mr G-eorge Dobson. At that meeting, a committee was appointed, which met from time to time, but very little definite action was taken. There were subscription lists ; moneys paid to the Treasurer; and other moneys promised, which no trouble was ever taken to collect. It was from the first felt, that any monument reared in honor of Mr Dobson, should be a tribute paidto Ihim by the people of Westland, not by any class or section of society, official or otherwise. At the first meeting held at tho Cafd, it was determined to make the Memorial Committee consist equally of members of the Civil Service, who had been Mr Dobson's friends and associates, and of citizens. There were,. l believe various meetings of the Committee, at wliich the following questions were discussed : — What form should tho Monument receive ? Whore should it be placed ? Of what material should it be constructed? But at none of these meetings was any decision on either of these points arrived at. The last meeting of the Committee was hold at the Commissioner's Office. Mr Sale, the Treasurer, was present ; and Mr Eaton, the Secretary, after making an informal report of moneys contributed or promisecf, was directed to ascertain at as early a period as possible, what was the total amount likely to be placed at the disposal of the Committee, and to convone another meeting as soon as he had obtained this- information, to enable the committee to decide upon tho memorial to be raised ; the site on which it should be placed, and the inscription that should be recorded upon it. From that night tuitil now no meeting of the Memorial Committee has ever been convened, and

no instructions from the Committee have been issued for the preparation or the importation of any monument, to the best of my knowledge. I think under these circumstances the Public Works Committee ought to understand what sentiment the proposed memorial is intended to express before they grant a public site for it, and I think Mr Sale, who has applied for a site for it, ought to explain to the Dobson Memorial Committee in what capacity he makes the application, and why the " Dobson Memorial Committee " have been cast aside in this matter by their own treasurer. I do not scruple to say that it was the members of the Committee who did not belong to the service, who were the most active and energetic members of it. I think Mr Sale can scarcely refuse some explanation, if not" to the subscribing public, at least to the Works Committee of the Town Council. I am, &c, In Memobiam. October 24, 1867.