ANZAG DAY CELEBRATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1917, Page 3

ANZAG DAY CELEBRATIONS

h’uccossfully Carried Out

j Yesterday was observed aa a c’oje 3 holiday in honor of Aozac Day, Flags were Ojwii on the public buildings and ail tie ;>bcpj and banks were j closed. The day was fine and there were a good many people in town for , the day’s celebrations which passed off , successfully. Returned Soldiers’ Association I A meeting of Returned Soldiers 1 wae held at the Soldiers’ Olub room yesterday forenoon, whan a branch of ' the New Zealand Eatnrced Soldiers’ Association was formed for Yves land. About a dozen members were present ' and the names of others were handed ’ in. Th 9 following officers were appoint- ' bd : —Chairman, Scrgt Apppleton ; Hon Secretary, Private A. Woolhouse ; Committee, Sargt-Major Atkins, Prii vates Stephens, Mycroft, Henderson and Keogsn. It was resolved that the committee and officers meet at 7 o’clock on Thursday evening to organise the brarch under the rules of the present Association. A suggestion was put forward to instftl a billiard toble in conjunction with the .rooms and the committee are to take up the project. Returned Soldiers)' Reunion At mid-day yesterday there a re-union luncheon for Returned Soldiers at the Dominion Hotel, whare Host Hanis put on a first-class repast and which ?.a i veil served. The Deputy-Mayor (Mr Co Peon) pieside<i, and County Chairman (Mr Norman) occupied the vice chair, Several members of the Patriotic S:c : ety and the local bodies wer’ also present, as likewise ;ho local clergy, 'he Rev J E. H 1 Powity gfvyit g grace before mear. Mersts L.jWu aud Gibbons supplied music*! honors for ihs toast, and al?o accompanied Mosers Heoderson and McGregor in soDgs which were sing. The Chair man proposed “The King,” whsn the National Anthem was sung. Tbo Chairman Dext proposed “ The ADzaca,” aud apologised for the Mayor’s absence. He said that at a time when the Empire was at stake, and their and liberties in dange'r, the Anzacs had done nobl deeds to uphold the honor of tbe Empire. Tbo deeds not require reiteration because history would give them a place for all time, He welcomed the returned men back and was pleased to learn that they had formed an Association. They had worthily carried all the honors which could be bestowed on them. (Applause.) Sergt Appleton expressed thanks on behalf of hia comrades for the flattering remarks which fed from the Mayor, and also for the many kindnesses shown by the eitizms in tbe numerous acts accorded the returned men. They were most highly appreciated. Private Walter Smith said Auzac Day was a day of ead recollections for on that occasion the humau chain had 1)96n broken which could never ba linked together again. Ye% it was also a day ol glory, for on ArjzaG Day they bad bad the golden opportunity to show themselves true sons of tho Eaipire. Their feelings and recollections were what the day was. Groat kindness had been shown to all the i returned men, aud they were deeply ; grateful. In the time to come, [ when the war was over, the soldiers’ ? voice would be heard again, taking , pßrfc in th 6 conduct of the affairs of r the country. » Tbe County Chairman proposed r ‘ The Fighting forces of the Empire,” a and eulogised the Grand Fle6t which had kept tha enemy at bay. He tributed the aerial heroes, and the splenF did valor of the soldiers, all of whom 3 < had done their duty and performed it g well. Tbe war had shown that the e fighting forces were of true British e blood, and would keep tbe flag flying. Mr A. Clifton on behalf of the