The first public meeting of the year will be held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 3 February 2015 in Rotary Hall.
The speaker will be Rear Admiral David Ledson ONZM RNZN, who will discuss stories from the National War Memorial bells — the carillon. The national war memorial, to commemorate those who died in the First World War, was opened on Anzac Day 1932 with a carillon of 49 donated bells.
Three Otaki brothers who served are commemorated by one of the bells, named Hebuterne. They were Cyril, Raymond and Clarence McHardie; Cyril and Raymond were killed in action in France, and the bell was donated by their father James, who also served in that war.
The Otaki Historical Society, which publishes annually the acclaimed Otaki Historical Journal, and a newsletter every two months, encourages new members. You can join at one of their interesting public talks, contact the Treasurer at PO Box 50 Otaki, or the website: otakihistoricalsociety.org.nz