MEMORIAL SERVICE AT COLLEGE

Chronicle (Levin), 26 April 1946, Page 8

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT COLLEGE

Pupils of Horowhenua College gathered in their assembly hall on Wednesday afternoon to partieipate in an Anzac memorial service, The platform was occupied by the chairman of the College Advisory Committee (Mr. F. H. Hudson) , the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Burdekin), the acting principal (Mr. F. Haley) , Flight-Lieut. and Mrs. L. P. Griffith, and members of the advisory committee and staff. Mr. Hudson welcomed the visitors and called upon Flight-Lieut. Griffith to read the names of those ■old pupils who had given their lives in the recent war. The names were those of Pte. Ivan Morgan, PilotOfficer Cyril Mulcahy and FlyingOfficer Noel Thorpe. The hymn, "O God Our Help in Ages Past," was then sung. Mr. Burdekin read appropriate passages from the Scriptures, being followed by a prayer led by Padre A. Salmond. After the singing of "O Valiant Hearts," Padre Salmond gave an inspiring address. He asked the pupils not to forget their national heritage — a great and noble heritage which was paid for by two past generations. He reminded them of the true nature of the school as an extension of home life, which fitted one for a larger field of life than did the home. Padre Salmond recalled the circumstances in which he had observed Anzac Day last year, in a hangar on a Pacific island, the unsettled air which then prevailed, and the sense of deliverance brought about by the news of the defeat of Japan. On his return to New Zealand he had realised the need for the same qualjties in peace as were required for the winning of the war— integrity, perseverance and eourage, The speaker reminded his listeners of the terrific hardships faced by, our men on Gallipoli, and how, although they had f ailed in- their task, they ha^ set a standard of manhood for this country. He concluded by adyising the i

pupils to remember that to feel a sense of injustice at evils m thworld to-day was not enough. They must act; and in this world learn to live as- individuals in a communitv doing their duty to the community, and not for themselves alone. The hymn, 'Lest We Forget," was sung, the Benediction was pronounqed by Padre Salmond, and the service came to a close with the singing of the National Anthem.