Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

RSA Decries Council Decision on Bridge of Remembrance

Media release from Christchurch Returned Services Association

RSA Decries Council Decision on Bridge of Remembrance

The Christchurch Returned and Services Association were on Thursday 8 September 2011 given hope and on the same day, had that hope dashed.

The President and Vice President were invited to meet with engineering specialists of the Christchurch City Council to hear a report on the situation around the Bridge of Remembrance at the western entrance to the Christchurch City Mall that the City Council is working to open to the public in time for the annual Canterbury Show Week. The RSA representatives were impressed with the report given by council staff and provided their endorsement and support for the proposals that the council engineers were to make to the council for the3 stabilisation work of the main archway which is in a fragile condition after the earthquakes. The interim options proposed were not pretty but, in the view of the RSA this work is critical to ensure the survival of this iconic and important memorial.

The Council’s decision to do nothing at this time is very disappointing to the RSA. The Bridge and its iconic arch structure are symbols of appreciation from the citizens of Christchurch and Canterbury for the supreme sacrifice made by the sons of the city and Canterbury during World War 1 as extracts from a speech by J Wyn Irwin at the official opening of the Bridge of Remembrance by His Excellency, Admiral of the Fleet, Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa on Armistice Day, 11 November 1924:

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“A Memorial to possess an enduring significance must have an idea which will appeal to the highest side of human nature. It should be an inspiration not only to the present generation, but to generations yet unborn.

The object of a Memorial is too great, to sacred a thing to be bound up with the physical necessities of human existence; yet in the Bridge of Remembrance we have a Memorial in which the spiritual and symbolic element is not hampered in the least, but rather heightened by its association with the utilitarian feature – the necessity of bridging a stream.

In this respect Christchurch is very fortunate, and in this respect the Bridge of Remembrance will always be an individual memorial.”

These sentiments hold true to this day. Since its construction and opening the Bridge of Remembrance in 1924 countless sons of our city and region have marched proudly over this bridge and through its proud arch on their way to subsequent conflicts where many of them have made the same supreme sacrifice in the name of freedom and democracy that we enjoy today.

This iconic memorial is still standing whilst others around it have now gone. It can be protected and saved if protective action is taken now. Are we yet to witness another pointless loss of a major memorial in the centre of our city, such as happened with the Lyttelton Time Ball Station, due to bureaucratic procrastination and failure to act by the City Council and the Historic Places Trust.

In the words of the late Governor General Sir Paul Reeves: “Enough is enough”.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.