Anzac Services Well Attended Despite Rain

Chronicle (Levin), 26 April 1949, Page 2

Anzac Services Well Attended Despite Rain

Despite incessant rain the Anzac Day services at Manakau and Otaki were fairly well attended, the Manakau service being held in the morriing and that at Otaki in the afternoon. At Manakau. Mr; H. B. Edhouse presided at Manakau, aird with him on the official platform were Rev. W. H. Nicholas, Captain H. Taepa and Mr. C. O'Suliivan. The Otaki Band was in attendance and, with Mrs. L. Barkla, shared the playing of music for hymns, with Conductor D. Dinnison sounding the "Last Post." Prayers were read by Captain Taepa. A stirring address was delivered by the Rev. W. H. Nicholas, who referred to the "epic record of the great adventure of Gallipoli 34 years ago. It was not only the birth of Anzac, but the birth of the nationhood of the southern lands. We are proud of the name of the Anzacs because of the great ideals which they sought to achieve, and which they did achieve by their great sacrifice. They left us an imperishable record. "The young men and women of this generation proved ready to take up the torch and played their part," .stated Mr. Nicholas, referring to World War II. "It was the spirit of the Anzacs that inspired them. Victory lay not with the best equipped or best prepared, but with the spirit of _ Anzac expressed by soidier and citizen alike. "Let us not only remember them," the speaker concluded. "Let us strive to practice the truths they revealed, let us live and act in our day as they did, put their ideals into practice, cut out selfishness and seek the righteousness of God. "Anzac Day has brought something great among Maoridom," said Captain Taepa. "It gives us the opportunity to strive for the i'deals left us by the Anzacs at Gallipoli. It is a national day. The ideals of the Anzacs broke down the sacred tribal boundaries," added the speaker, who instanced the Maoris joining Pakeha battalions in 1939, "because the spirit of, Anzac rneant •that England and the- King were bigger than tribal beliefs." Returned service petsonnel, girl guides, boy scouts .and. cubs paraded to swell. the attendance at the Civic Theatre, Otaki, at which Mr. H B Edhouse again presided and apologised for the absence of the Mayor, Mr. C.-F. Atmore, who. was away in Auckland. He wf^comed Canon H. E. K. Fry, and. Revs. R. Grice W. H. Nicholas and Pn Temuera, Captain H. Taepa, BrigadierGeneral R. Young and Mr._ H. Jepson who were on' the official plat-

form with him. The service opened with the singing of the hymn, "O God Our Help," after which prayers were read by Mr. Nicholas. The hymn, "Onward Christian Soldiers" foilowed, after wfiich Mr. Temuera read a passage from the Scriptures. Mr. Grace then delivered the address and was foilowed by Captain Taepa, who spoke on similar lines to his address at Manakau. The hymn, "Eternal Father," foilowed, after which Canon Fry pronounced the Benediction, and the service concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. The Otaki Band provi'ded the music and Conductor Dinnison sounded the "Last Post." The weather conditions prevented the usual march past and laying of wreaths. . , , "All honour to the glorious dead of two wars who laid down their lives for their King and country," said Mr. Grice in his address, "nor let us ever forget the soldiers, sailors and airmen who suffered wounds, and who returned to live in our mi'dst. Today is a day of sadness, but it is also a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving, because we here today enjoy the privilege of peace. Let us never cease to give thanks. "May I here soUnd a note of warning,"' continued the speaker, "If Anzac Day is to be preserved and have real significance, we must not only take off our hats to the ideals of Anzac Day, but we must be prepared to take off our coats also for the rest of the year. Unless in times of peace we are prepared to display the same willingness as did our soldiers, sailors and airmen, their sacrifices will have been made in vain."