ANZAC DAY

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1932, Page 2

ANZAC DAY

LOCAL CELEBRATIONS. A BIG PARADE. Them was perfect weather yesterday for the observance of An/,no Day at Hokitika, and the general Parade was one of the largest and best of many years. There was a large attendance on parade, a large crowd lined .the streets, the Princess Theatre was Idled for the Annas .Memorial Service, while Cass Square held a large assemblage when homage was being paid to the dead; the foot of the memorials being covered with many handsome wreaths.

The Parade. Promptly on the appointed time the parade moved oil' I non Camp Stieet jh charge of Capt. C.'Bleach. The Municipal Band mule:- Conductor C. Boss headed the procession, followed by the Returned Soldiers (6-3 strong), a bring party of Territorials under Sgt. Major Connolly j Girl Guides (IS strong) undei Commissioner Perry and Lieut. Phyllis Dowell; The Brownies, 1(1 strong, under Dawnv Owl Paterson ; the Boy Scouts, 24 strong; under Scoutmaster Sutherland and Assistant Scoutmaster Xicol; and the Cubs. 24 strong, undojCub Mistress J- Sutherland. The parade marched in oiderly manner to the music of the Band to Princess Theatre, where the Memorial Service was held.

Anzac Memorial Service. The parade arrived at the Princess! Theatre at 1.30, and tin- building was soon tilled, His Worship the Mayor find Clergy being on the platform. Following a verse ol the National Anthem, the Mayor (Mr G. A. Pe*i)) opened the Service. In the course el iiis address, the Mayor said that the anuiveisary ol Aufcao Day had again returned, and heought back memories of a great occasion. There were feelings of sorrow for the lost, yet rejoiung for what had been accomplished. The occasion was the lirst that New Zealanders had gone forth to war. 1 lie time was a crisis lor the world. Prime Minister Baldwin said if «e win the war the British Empire would,he safe lor tt hundred years, find thanks to the valour and capacity ol the troops they had won the war. the lauding at Anzac Cove called for the highest courage, and the lent was crowned with success. Gallipoli was a magnificent failure so far as its main objective was concerned, but the Anzacs assisted to wear down tho enemy, who were exhausted in the end. Victory was very close at times, but was not. vouchsafed. Yet on the heights of Gallipoli the way was paveu for Allenby’s great cavalry ride into Palestine, the Turks not being able to reinforce the position. The. day was essentially one of 'remembrance. Many had lost- dear ones, and they had the sympathy, of-t'le people lor comiort in their bereavement. On this day, also they must giu> the fullest thanks to all who served in the great war and helped to aeh -Ve .the final victory. It was a groat victory, and it was no* much to a.sk the people to set aside oiie day in the year to honour tin s'; who had made the supreme sacrifice. The people met the crisis with uncommon courage and clmerfulness, and just as great unity was shown in war time, so it was necessary now in this of depression, They should realise that though tho shadow was in the val ey. there was sunshine on the hills, rnd go forward in a spirit of optimism to win back for their country again the better days of femur times. Following the hymn “() God our Help,” the Rev. H. J. W. Knights, read a portion o' sciipture from tile Book of Wisdom. The hymn “Lead Kindly Light” was then sung, and Rev. G. A. Naylor engaged in prayer, the assemblage abo standing, in sileiru as a mark of' respect to the fallen. Kipling’s Becessii nal was then sung, and Capt. C. E. Abbott- of the Salvation Army. addressed the meeting.

GVipt. Abbott, said it was a, privilege to be present at the gathering and ad-

dress them on such a great anniversary. He spoke of Joshua, of old. a great military leader, who raised a memorial of stones to commemorate a great feat, and like Joshua they, too, bad raised memorials. There were- war mcmoiials from one,end ol New Zealand to the other, as a reminder of the spirit ol 17 years ago,. when Anzac fame was won. Just" as in lb 13 at. Waterloo, | the British soldiers showed the true spirit, so in 1013 at Anzac the Now Zealanders displayed the same spirit and lived up to the highest traditions He wont on to say, that if you would learn of the deeds of Xaiolcon, you | must u'o to Franco; if ol Cromwall. go, to England; if of Bb-ma>rk, look to Germany; if of Knox, go to Scotland ; ' it of Jesus go to ( alvary. But it you would know or ‘'the deeds ol New /calenders, go t<> Gallipoli, the Somme. Messilies. Piisoliembilc. There, there had been the same spirit o" ready sacrifice when the occasion called lor it. I ho.v were proud of their Empi'c, and of Britain which led the world in peace an ( | war. .lie wanted to appreciate the display of duty and sacrifice which had been made by such a throng. I hey should be proud to revere Anzac Day. On Cass Square there were 16-1 names of their own who had fallen in the valiant past. To them and to the others who served the sail'd I hank \<>u realising that their courage paved the way to peace. Since Fox’s efforts in 1860 down to Lord Cecil in 1.918. Britain had worked for peace, and the goal was coming nearer. He hoped war would soon he no more. There were man v causes of’ war. hut the eltiel was sin, which caused such wastage and loss. All idea was growing nil in the world. a"d he hoped that would he realised happily. when serious war would he no more, and the world would be regenerated. Following the address, the hymn “0 Valiant Hearts” was sung, ami then the Benediction was nrnno'-nced impressively l.v the Rev. C. A. Hailwood. The Municipal Band Ihen rendered the. In lie ail march, ““The Garland of Flowers.” following which Bugler Ross sounded the “Last Post”, in of the fallen, and the service closed. The military procession then reformed and ‘paid horours to the fallen at the local war nieniocials.

Tribute Paid. The Memorial Service concluded, the parade re-assembled, and marched to the South African memorial and Clock Tower,- where the Firing Party fh'«d th-ee volleys, Bugler L. Boss sounding “The Last Post,” Several wreaths were placed on the memorial. The parade then moved on to Cass Square, to the site of the War Memorial. Here again the Firing Party fired three vollevs. Bugler L. Boss sounding “The Last Post” and the “Reveille.” A hv-ge number of wreaths were placed on the memorial, and after the parade had passed on a large number remained behind to pay silent homage to the loved dead. The parade im*rehed««cff by the centre gate to the intersection of Fitzlierbert Street, wlio-e the Returned Soldiers, laden with wreaths, marched off to the cemetery. The parade marched

hack to Camp Street where it was dismissed. At the Cemetery. On arrival at the Cemetery, a visit was paid by the Returned Soldiers in a body to the graves of Returned Soldiers and war workers who lay at rest there, wreaths being placed on 45 graves. Bugled L. Ross then sounding again “The Last Post” and “The Reveille”, The men then dispersed.

At the Soldiers’ Hall, At four o’clock the President of the Returned Soldiers’ Assoeiatiion. .(Mr J). J.. Evans) entertained the Returned Soldiers and friends at the Soldiers’ Hall at afternoon tea. There, were about 150 ladies and gentlemen present, and a, dainty repast was promptly served by a. bevy of ladies who had kindly offered their welcome services for the occasion.

Before the gathering dispersed Mr W. E. Brown, oil behalf ol the Returned Soldiers, returned thanks lor tho generous hospitality of the Piosident. He expressed his pleasure at the fine turnout of returned men who had paraded to do honour to their dead <omra<les and to express their continued sympathy with the relatives. He took the occasion to pay a tribute .to the great assistance and help that had been given to the movement by their President and expressing regret at the recent illness of Air Evans, trusted that, his recovery would continue and that he. would he speedily returned to his normal good health and would long hg spared to continue his good work in the town, a wish that those present endorsed in a happy manner in a loud round <d acclamation, Air D. J. Evans in returning thanks, expressed his keen appreciation of the kindly references to his health and assured them that he was equally anxious to have that full recovery that Mr Hi •own had so kindly voiced. He was very pleased at the large assemblage on parade that afternoon, the number increasing each year. He was glad to welcome, them all that afternoon, also in increasing numbers. When first inaugliuited tho little annexe to the hall had been largo enough. Then they had used the present room, hut next year lie hoped they would be able to use the larger hall. He thanked them heartily for their attendance and assured them that it lm<] given him ggeat pleasure to welcome them all that afternoon and lie trusted to he able to do so again on many similar anniversaries.

AT GBEVMOUTH

Anzac Day was commemorated yesterday in Greymouth, with all the fervour and Impra'sivencss of previous years. In the morning special services were hold at St. Patrick’s Church, the Main School, the United Pavilion, and at the Cobden Memorial Bridge, while in the afternoon a combined memorial service was held at tli© Town Hall, and later at the Cenotaph. There wore large gatherings at al] the services, the Town Hall being packed out, and all were conducted in a manner befitting such a notable occasion.

AT WESTPORT.

WESPORT, April 2o

I An Anzac memorial service wa;s held in the Theatre Royal in beautiful weather, with a large attendance. The Mayor, Air Hark ness, presided. An impressive address was given by Rev. S. Webber (Presbyterian), and otner members of the Ministers’ Association also took part. In the service a new feature was an anthem by combined choirs. At the conclusion of the service a procession comprising a firing 1 party, Municpal Band, veterans, returned (soldiers, territorials, cadets, hoy scouts, wolf cubs, girl guides and , brownies was formed outside the thenj tre and marched to tho- Gates of Remembrance, Victoria Squafe/“where a further brief service was hold, with an address by Rev, 0. A. Poston, a salute by a firing party, a lament played by Pipers J. and Al, Banks, and

“The Last Post” sounded by Bancrsimin Taylor, A large number of floral tributes was placed at the foot of the

memorial, The service concluded with the National Anthem played by the Municipal Band, The returned soldiers subsequently were entertained at afternoon ten by a citizens’ committee.

AT AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND, April 25

With tli© simplest ceremonial the roll of honour in tho Hall of Memories in tho Auckland War Memorial Museum was dedicated on Sunday afternoon bv the Governor-General.

Customary Anzac Day services were held to-day, first a morning service in the Town Hall, and a ceremony at the Cenotaph this afternoon.

AT CHRISTHCURCH

CHRISTCHURCH, April 25.

Anzac Day was celebrated in the manner which has now become traditional. There was the largest parade of ex-servico men for many years in a procession which marched from Cranmer Square to King Edward Barracks, where a united memorial service wais held. •An address was given by Mr J. A. Lee, M.P. About seven thousand people, attended the service. A wreath was laid at the Bridge of Remembrance, and a large number were carried in the parade where they were hung on the front of the Cathedral.

WELLINGTON CARILLON

THE DEDICATION.

WELLINGTON, April 25. The usual Anzac Day observances in Wellington were headed by a historic ceremony on Mount Cook, when, iu the afternoon, the National War Memorial carillon was dedicated and ojxjned by the Governor-General, after bciiijr consecrated by the Bishop of Wellington, Bishop Sprott. The ceremony was attended by thousands, and every vantage point in the city and nearby bids was occupied. There was a monster parade of returned soldiers and military and naval units. The

!carillon was formally handed, over by IMr H I>. Bennett (chairman of cue Carillon Society). and accepted on be--1 half of ther people of New Zealand by the Governor-General, who lit tho perpetual memorial lantern, and gave the signal for the playing of the Na- ‘ tiomil Anthem on the bells, j The vast audience was hushed as the 'melodious chimes rang from the campanile, and later the carillon accompanied the singing of the hymn “0 . God Our Help in Ages Past.” The ' carillonist was Air Clifford B. Ball, of Bourneville, England. The Mayor, Al l* jT. C. A. Hisop, presided during the ceremony, and the Prime. Minister among the speakers. In the evening the carillon recital was attended by a large audience and the soft music of the bells drifted over ; tbe city burns on a southerly bree.-ro. ; j The Anzac Day service, attended try ■ returned soldiers and' next of kin, took i place at Wellington Citizens’ Mem- • orial in the morning. The Governor- ; General read the King’s message and i a short service was held. AVreatns from citizens and various organisations ) | were placed on the base of the monii orial. The wreaths included a mag- ■ ' iiiliecnt one from the Australian Society I of New Zealand in the form of a huge 1 map of Australia.

AT SYDNEY SYDNEY, April 25. Anzac Day was commemorated in brilliant cool weather with a spectacular march of fifteen thousand veterans through the streets past the Cenotaph to the Domain, where a commemoration service was held. General Higgins, the Salvation Army Lender, gave a stirring address', and various returned chaplains participated. The remembrance began at 4.30 o’clock in the morning, the fateful hour on the troopships seventeen years ago off the Gallipoli shore, when five thousand people gathered in Martin Place and saw the Cenotaph wreathed by the Governor and others. Mr Schmitt, New Zealand Government representative, placed one wreath on the Cenotaph on helm If of the Government of New Zealand, and in the (subsequent march the New Zealand contingent had pride of position, immediately following the naval men.

.MELBOURNE -MARCH

MELBOURNE, April 25

At the Anzac commemoration, 22,000 marched, includinug Gallipoli veterans and many bands. A combined religions service was held in the Exhibition Building.

THE KING’S MESSAGE

WELLINGTON, April 25

The Governor-General lias been commanded by the King to communicate, to the people of New Zealand on the occasion of Anzac Day the following message from His Majesty: “On this (solemn anniversary, the thoughts of the Queen and myself are with my people of New Zealand in proud remembrance of those who laid down their lives at Gallipoli.—George Rf.” His Excellency has sent tho following reply to His Majesty : “Your Majesty’s gracious message has been communicated to the people of this Dominion, who appreciate most deeply the knowledge that the thoughts of Your Majesty and the Queen are with them on this day of hallowed memories.— Bleclisloe,”

IN ENGLAND

MEMORY OF 29th. DIVISION.

LONDON, April 24

A memorial service for the Twentyninth Division, of Gallipoli fame, was held at Eltham. It wais attended uy the Bishop of London, General Gouraud (France), General Yoroz (France) and the Australian High Commissioner, Sir G. Ryrie. On the eve of Anzac Day, at Portsmouth, Legioners headed by Admiral Farquhar, held 1 a; procession through the city to the cemetery, where t*ey placed wreaths on the graves of Anzacs there, which Portsmouth citizens have maintained trim and flowerstrewn the year round.