WAR MEMORIAL

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160739, 27 August 1920, Page 9

WAR MEMORIAL

FOR WANGANUI START MADE WITH PROPOSAL. At last Wanganui has commenced to consider the question of erecting a war memorial to the soldiers from this district who fought and fell in defence of their country. A public meeting, called by the Mayor, was held yesterday afternoon, hut was not largely attended. The deputy Mayor, Cr. J. G. Richardson, presided. Representatives were present from the Borough Council, Returned Soldiers’ Association and other public bodies, and there was a small attendance of the public. The chairman apologised for the absence of the Mayor, who was indisposed. Proceeding, he said that the meeting was called to discuss the form of a suitable memorial for the fallen soldiers. He hoped that all local bodies would assist in the proposal. He did not think it was likely that the Waitotara County Council would assist, for it was preparing a memorial for its own county. Still there were other local authorities and public gentlemen who could assist and help to form a memorial that would be a credit to the town and district and worthy of the gallant dead. Mr A. Burnett said he was opposed to any memorial that would give any material benefit to the community or portion of it. He desired to see a memorial which would stand out prominently, that its purport could not be mistaken and which would perpetuate the memory of those who had given their lives for the freedom of the world. The form of the memorial should he first settled. Cr. Sigley agreed with Mr Burnett, and moved that the meeting select a suitable memorial from those on exhibition or any other suitable design. Cr. Luxford seconded the motion. He said that a few of the designs should be selected and a committee set up to consider the selected ones and present a report to a future meeting. The matter of finance could be arranged between the local bodies concerned. There was jnjo need of haste once a number of designs were selected and photographed. Cr. A. Thompson supported the proposal to have a monumental memorial. He suggested it should be placed on a high eminence. Mr G. Worth submitted a photograph of a tower on a hill in Lancashire, which was one of the most outstanding landmarks of the country. It was a Isimple hut dignified memorial. Mr A. Burnett suggested that before any design was decided upon, the committee should have an idea of the amount of money that was to be raised. Then it would be possible to go ahead. Personally, he felt that if the money raised was not sufficient to make the monument a worthy one, it would be better'to leave it alone. He suggested that a suitable site would be Durie Hill, opposite Victoria Avenue. At that locality it would be seen by everyone. A tower, say eighty feet high, on that spot would be most suitable, and would give one of the most magnificent views that could be obtained. He suggested that a lantern should be placed at the top of the tower.

Mr G. Beckett (Returned Soldiers) also agreed that Durie Hill would be a most suitable site.

Cr C. H. Burnett supported the motion. He suggested that the copies of the selected designs be placed in the Gallery for public inspection. He regretted that there was not a larger attendance.

Other speakers endorsed the proposal to have a monumental memorial, and the motion was carried.

The chairman moved and it was carried that Gonville and Castlecliff Town Boards, the Wanganui and Waitotara County Councils be asked to join the Wanganui Borough Council in the memorial proposal, that the public be asked to contribute, and the balance 'of the money to be provided by the local bodies on a population basis. Cr. C. H. Burnett suggested that the area to be included be that controlled by the Wanganui-Waitotara Patriotic Society. Mr C. S. Brown hoped that the bulk of the money would be raised by public subscription; that it would be a free gift of the people of the town and district and not paid for under compulsion. Replying to Mr Beckett, the chairman said that the selection of a site would be dealt with by the committee, which would be representative of the public. There was some discussion on the constitution of the committee, and it was finally decided to fix it at two representatives each of the Borough Council and the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the chairmen of all other local bodies, including the Patriotic Association and the Wanganui East workshops employees. The committee had power to add.

It was suggested by Mr Pridham that the selected designs should be placed in the Art Gallery and that the public should be allowed to vote on its choice, also to vote upon the question site. Mr Worth suggested that competitive designs should be called for. The meeting selected about a dozen designs which will he photographed and enlarged and referred to the committee.