In my research on war memorials I came across a letter to the Minister of Defence, Sir James Allen, from W.H.Feldon in January 1919. He wrote: 'I have been in this beautiful Dominion for seven years, and find that if such work is commissioned it is usually obtained from Italy or London and it seems very difficult to get known. I should be delighted to carve a bust of yourself - entirely at my own expense - as a proof of my Art... It has been a struggle to keep going and my slender resources are nearly exhausted. I have a wife and six children and for their sakes I must succeed'. He had come from England and had written to every county chairman and mayor of the country offering his services to build a local war memorial. He won only two commissions - the Arawa memorial and one at Matakana. Both interestingly featured a portrait of the King.