He proposes that along the sides of roads single trees or small groups of trees should be planted at intervals of a mile, and that each tree should have affixed to the necessary protecting fence a plate or tablet with the name of a fallen soldier, and further that the tree to be selected should be the British Oak. When the tree had attained sufficient size for the fence to be dispensed with the tablet would be affixed to the tree bole. Such a living monument would do far more to keep green the memory of those who have given their lives in defence of our Empire and liberties than any erection supplied from some monumental mason's yard. No doubt in the larger centres costly war memorials will be erected when the longed-for peace, now rapidly approaching arrives; but the proposal by Dr Douglas would enable the country districts to have numerous memorials spread/broadcast throughout their borders. The Waitaki County Council has unanimously approved of the proposal, and appointed a committee to consider the best course of action to be adopted. It is to be hoped that every county council in Otago will do likewise.
Anglican boys' home
The first of a series of homes for boys to be established by the diocese of Dunedin was opened at Vauxhall, Anderson's Bay, on Saturday afternoon by the Primate (Dr Nevill).
The property which has been acquired for the purpose is beautifully situated. It adjoins the Grant's Braes property on which the Presbyterian home for boys stands. The area secured measures 10 acres. The present building is a substantial brick house of seven rooms, built with every convenience and modernised in every respect. It is intended to accommodate some 15 boys, and it is the nucleus of a comprehensive building scheme which includes four or five buildings, which will provide homes for from 50 to 100 boys. The work is to be developed on the cottage home system, which has been tried and proved a success in England and Australia. The idea is to make each cottage a complete home, each in the charge of a motherly woman. Those eligible for admission are orphan boys, the sons of absent soldiers, and any other boys it is considered expedient to control in the home, either temporarily or for a boy's career.
Splendid service
A splendid record of service in the present war stands to the credit of the family of Mrs C. Pope and the late Mr G. Mills, of Cheltenham, near Feilding.
Eight sons are either away or are due to enter camp shortly. Sergeant W. J. Mills and Private Frederick H. Mills left New Zealand in 1915, and are now in France.
Trooper C. A. Mills, Fourteenth Reinforcements, and driver Arthur Mills, Sixteenth Reinforcements, are both in Egypt, Gunner Frank Mills, Twenty-eighth Reinforcements, and Private L. J. Mills has just reached military age, and will go into camp on February 6.
The eighth brother, and the only one of the family who has been drawn in the ballot, is Isaac Mills, who is married. He has not yet gone to camp, on account of an accident.
Of those now on active service only one, Private H. J. Mills, has been wounded. - ODT, 4.11.1918.
