Opened in Apia

Nelson Memorial Hall Opened in Apia

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Nov. 19.

AN impressive ceremony was held in Apia on Armistice Day, November 11.

In the presence of the Administrator and a representative gathering of re turned soldiers of the two World Wars and prominent citizens, the Memorial Hall in memory of the late O. F. Nelson was opened and handed over to the Re turned Services Association of Western Samoa, Inc. by the Nelson firm and family.

Mr. E. Annandale, managing director of O. F. Nelson & Co., Ltd., addressed the gathering and briefly traced the his tory and details of the plan, which origi nated in 1945 when local firms were asked by the returned soldiers to con tribute towards the purchase of the USO Recreation Hall from the US Gov ernment.

The firm of O. F. Nelson & Co., Ltd., had at once offered to buy, renovate and officially hand over the building to the returned soldiers as a suitable memorial to the late founder of the firm.

The firm’s offer was gratefully accepted.

Due, however, to the shortage of build ing materials it took much longer than expected to effect the necessary repairs.

Meanwhile the disastrous fire which des troyed the main premises of Messrs. O.

F. Nelson & Co., Ltd., necessitated the moving of the firm into temporary pre mises and through the generosity of the Returned Services Association their build ing was made available for this purpose and Messrs. O. F. Nelson were able to con tiue operations with the least possible disturbance.

The Right Hon. the Prime Minister of

New Zealand then approved of the grant of an area of land between the building and the Town Clock for the purpose of erecting a suitable memorial to the late Mr. O. F. Nelson. This memorial is to take the form of a large park for the use of the public and visitors to Samoa.

It will have a drinking fountain in the centre and possibly a children’s play ground within the area. This proposal has found the enthusiastic support of the Administrator who has promised all pos sible assistance. The project is to be carried out in the near future.

ON November 11, Mr. Annandale, read the scroll of dedication and, on behalf of O. F. Nelson & Co., Ltd., handed the address and key to Captain Jones, President of the Returned Services Association with best wishes for the success of the Asso ciation and its enjoyment from the use of the building. Mrs. R. Nelson-Moors, widow of the late O. F. Nelson then cut

the ribbon across the entrance to the building while the Administrator after addressing the gathering and particularly his old war comrades, unveiled a mem orial plaque, in the front of the building, to the late O. F. Nelson.

The function was successfully followed by a luncheon served by members of the Mothers’ Club in the new building. In the evening an opening dance was held.

Mr. Hilton Bell, the only white pearl diver operating in the Torres Strait, re cently discovered the biggest pearl since post-war pearling operations began. The pearl, which weighed 19i carats, was button-shaped, and would just pass through the neck of a beer bottle. Its value has not yet been assessed. It was reported that four attempts had been made by an islander in one night to steal the pearl from the hotel where Mr. Bell was staying in TI,