Roxburgh’s tribute to war dead

The memorial erected by the Roxburgh district to commemorate those who served in the Great War was publicly unveiled on last Thursday afternoon in the presence of a large attendance of the public.A procession consisting of members of the Returned Soldiers’ Association and school children, headed by the band, marched to the site of the monument, which is erected on a commanding point in the Recreation Reserve overlooking the town. Here a large crowd had already assembled. The Mayor (Mr J.L. Rooney), in a few introductory remarks, opened the proceedings, and called upon the Rev Mr Walker, who conducted the religious part of the ceremony, to engage in prayer. Appropriate speeches were made by Mr James Horn MP, the Rev Mr Fordyce, the Rev Mr Walker, and Mr John Bennetts, the unveiling being performed by Mr R.M. Smith, who lost two sons at the front. Two hymns were sung, the proceedings terminating with the National Anthem. A large number of floral emblems were subsequently placed around the base of the monument. The memorial is in the form of an obelisk in granite, surmounted on a concrete base of three steps, the whole being enclosed in a plain pipe railing with concrete pillars. The work was carried out by Thomson and Co, of Dunedin.

Taieri flood costs counted
The Taieri County Council decided yesterday to erect a temporary footbridge over the gap at Bush’s Creek, Brighton. This was one of the gaps caused by the flood, and it has been necessary for passengers to alight from conveyances on one side, cross the gap, and join other conveyances on the other side. The repairing of the gap will be costly, so the council has decided to erect only a temporary footbridge meantime. In connection with flood damage repairs, the engineer pointed out that a modest estimate of the cost was £20,000. After discussion it was decided to approach the Prime Minister while he was in Dunedin in the near future and ascertain what assistance the Government could give.

Cut by a hot tin roof
The street lights on the main lines going to the city failed about 3 o’clock yesterday morning owing to a large sheet of corrugated iron being blown on to the low tension lines at the sub-station at Halfway Bush. The power was switched on again at 7 o’clock.

Room for more passengers
The first of the six trailers that are being constructed for the tramway department is now almost completed, and the framework of another has been constructed. The trailer, which will be on the rails within the next fortnight, was viewed yesterday by a Daily Times reporter, is the first trailer to be built in the sheds since the conversion of half a dozen horse-drawn tramcars. Provision is made for the accommodation of 26 passengers. The trailer, which is constructed on the lines of the Christchurch cars with certain innovations, is spacious and bright, and has been constructed with a solidarity and evident careful workmanship that augurs well for the length of service it will give to the corporation. An improvement that will be appreciated is the provision of windows that slide to the ceiling with the exertion of very little force. — ODT, 26.5.1923

 

Compiled by Peter Dowden