FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

The nature of the immediate problem, the memorial committee’s solution and its further setbacks are summarised in the 15 February 1921 edition of Education:

Then came suddenly an intimation from the contractor for the main work…[the bronze tablet], stating his inability to carry out the contract on account of the greatly enhanced cost of materials.

The Trustees at once sought elsewhere, and signed a new contract for the work. The price on this occasion would have left a deficit of about 20 pounds, but the Trustees had no hesitation in entering into the contract, as they felt the Teachers of the State were behind them in their determination to have the work creditably done.

On account of the very large amount of such work now being carried out, it was not expected that the memorial would be completed before June next. Once again, though, the Trustees have been hit hard. The new contractor notifies that an additional ten per cent. will have to be imposed on account of the recent B.O.T. [Board of Trade] increase. Rather than abandon the scheme, the Trustees felt compelled to accept the new terms, though it means there will be leeway of about 48 pounds to be made up. With incidental expenses, the cost will run to about 275 pounds, the funds in hand being 227 pounds.

Teachers who have not yet contributed will probably be glad now to have the opportunity of doing so. Mr Cousins (SPS, Neutral Bay) will welcome, and promptly acknowledge, any sums sent to him for the purpose.¹²

Work on the memorial commenced immediately after a final contract price of 250 pounds was negotiated. By mid-1921 a sub-group of the memorial committee reported to the full committee that “the mural tablet at Messrs Castle and Sons’ workshop [at Newtown] was now ready for erection, and was a faithful and particularly fine piece of work.” Accordingly the contractor was authorised to proceed with the erection immediately in the main vestibule in Head Office. The tablet contained the names of 158 teachers who gave their lives “For God and Country”.¹³