RED CROSS SOCIETY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 15 May 1961, Page 2

RED CROSS SOCIETY

Annual Church Parade

Nearly 700 representatives of the Red Cross Society and affiliated organisations attended the annual church parade of the North Canterbury centre of the society at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament yesterday afternoon. This was the first occasion on which the service had been held there. More than 100 members formed a colour-bearing party which assembled outside the cathedral. The service was conducted by the Rev. Father G. V. Daly, of Ashburton, who in his sermon urged all those present to rededicate themselves anew to the work they were doing for the Red Cross organisation. He commended to all the prayer which includes the words “to give and not to count the cost: to labour and not to ask for any reward ...” and referred to famous men and women in history who in their lives had exemplified the real meaning of these words. The choir of about 30 was drawn from the Sacred Heart Girls’ College. Girls from St. Mary’s College assisted during the offertory, which was made to enable medical supplies to be sent to the Belgian Congo. Those in the official party included the Mayor (Mr G. Manning) and Mrs Manning, the Deputy-Mayor (Cr. H. P. Smith) and Mrs Smith, the Acting-Town Clerk (Mr C. S. Bowie), the president of the North Canterbury centre of the Red Cross Society (Mrs R. I. Brake) and Mr Brake, Miss D. Whitelaw, divisional V.A.D. officer in Wellington. Miss M. Peate (North Canterbury centre commandant). Miss B. Thornton (link cadet officer). Miss E. Thomas (advisory centre director), and Captain J. N. Allen (Royal New Zealand Navy). Also present were representatives of kindred organisations including the Christchurch Aged People’s Welfare Council, the Christchurch Junior Chamber, the Legion of Frontiersmen, the Registered Nurses’ Association, and the Nurse Maude District Nursing Association.