ANZAC DAY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4556, 27 April 1923, Page 2

ANZAC DAY.

IMPRESSIVE SERVICES. “LEST WE FORGET.’’ The Central Theatre was well filled on Wednesday afternoon, when the citizens of Paeroa attended the commemoration service to those who fell in the Great. War of 1914-18. The gathering was presided over by His Worship the Mayor (Mr P. E Brenan), and associated with him on the stage were Captain Hoare and Lieutenant Hill of the Salvation Army, and the Revs. F, B. Dobson (Church of England), 11. Morgan (Presbyterian), and A. E. Jefferson (Methodist). The Salvation Army Band, under the conductorship of Bandma-ter C. Brock, was also accommod’ted on the stage, and rendered selections prior to the commencement of the service. In introducing the speakers His Worship said it was very gratifying to the civic authorities to sec such a large and representative gathering uf citizens assembled to do honour to the men who laid' down their lives in the cause of liberty and justice. He apoloigscd for the unavoidable absence of Mr H. Poland, M.P., and Cr. F. E. Flatt.

Continuing, His Worship said that a very deep debt of gratitude was due to the fallen, and the very least, that could be done was to keep ever fresh the noble sacrifices made throughout the war, and on Anzac Day in particular. The Mayor said he desired to particularly draw the, attention of the children to the Roll of Honour in their own school. As they passed this Roll of Honour daily on entering the school he asked them to look with pleasure and pride at it, and ever to keep fresh in their memories the sacrifices made by the lads of their own district. By so doing, he contended, they would become worthy citizens of the great Empire to which all were so proud to belong. The service commenced with ths singing of the National Anthem, accompanied by the Salvation Army Band. Then followed a band selection, “Belgium; hymn, “O God our Help in Ages Past”; prayer, -Rev. Jefferson; hymn, “For all the Saints”: Scriptural reading. Rev. Dobson; hymn “God of our Fathers” ; address, Rev. Morgan ; prayer, Captain Hoare ; Benediction, Rev. Dobson. Mrs Cooke accompanied the hymns on the piano.

The Rev. Morgan based his address on the 17th chapter of Exodus, commencing at the Bth verse. He applied the moaning of the Old Testament warfares to the recent Great War, and showed how history had become prophecy. He contended that national deeds should never be forgotten. It was most fitting that Anzac Day should be kept and honoured as a sacred day. Anzac Day should be one of the greatest days in New Zealand. Continuing, the speaker said that it was eight years that day since Anzac Day was born, when the troops landed on the rugged shores of Gallipoli. It was a feat of daring and courage that had never been surpassed, or even equalled throughout the war. It was not only the value of the feat at the time of the performance ; the dangers and trials and difficulties that were overcome by the' troops were worthy of the greatest, praise and admiration it was possible to accord. He thought the people of today might well face their trials an 1 difficulties of life in the same spirit as did the boys of Anzac. The brave deeds of the troops should never be forgotten; the memory of their doings should be kept ever fresh in our minds, not with the idea of becoming bloodthirsty and relentless, but to stimulate and inspire us in our, daily lives. He claimed that grateful thanks and careful prryer were due to God for the tenacity and purpose giver, to those lads, to enable them to accomplish the landing on the peninsula. Prayer had played a very large part in the recent War, as it had done in the wars of the Old Testament. He reminded the gathering of the dork and gloomy days uf the war, when Lloyd George had tola his Ministers that all that was humanly possible was being done and they must await the help from God. It was only by remembering the brave deeds of the lads that they could realise what a debt they owed. The peace and prosperity they were now able to enjoy were due in no small measure to the love, sacrifice, and life-blood given by the troops. The soldiers had not died in vain, said Mr Morgan. Their lives had been willingly laid down for principles and right; they had a clear lealisation of right opposed to wrong. He counselled the gathering to worthily uphold the traditions of the Anzacs and to become imbued with their spirit of grim determination to overcome all difficulties in the face of great odds. He trusted the League of Nations would be a success in the purpose fo” which it existed. The speaker referred feelingly to those who had lost dear ones on the peninsula, and hoped that the noble sacrifices made in the cause of peace a'nd righteousness would be of some real comfort to them in their dark hours of sorrow. The lives thus laid down were not wasted when the people sought to live worthily of such high traditions. In conclusion, the speaker asked the gathering to keep ever green the memory of the gallant boys of the New Zealand Division, and to emulate the Anzac spirit.

The collection, which was taken up during the service, amounted to £8 16s 3d, which amount, after defraying the expenses of the service, will be devoted to the War Memorial Fund. AT THE SCHOOL. Many people visited the Paeroa District High School during Anzac Day and laid wreaths at, the foot of the Roll of Honour. The Roll of Honour belonging to the local school is indeed one to be proud of, qnd worthy of comment. It contains about 180 names of ex-pupils of the school, over thirty of whom paid the supreme sacrifice. Many have received military decorations. The wreaths laid at the foot of the Roll of Honour were beautiful in design, and many loving thoughts were no doubt weaved into

them together with the flowers. One special feature of the emblems was the number of wreaths made and placed in position by the children of the school, acts which may well be fostered and emulated by some of the older residents of the town.

Wreaths were placed at the foot uf the Roll of Honour by the following : Mayor and Councillors, Paeroa Borough ; President, and members, Returned Soldiers’ Association ; Colonel and Mrs Porritt, Captain and Mrs Porritt, pupils and teachers of Pacroa\District High School, Mr and Mrs G. II Taylor, Mr and Mrs Marshall, Mr and Mrs Bishop, Mrs Salt, Mrs A. Thorp, Mr and Mrs Lawrence, Misses 1. and C. Taylor, Birdie Gibb, Queenie Gibb, Doris Ryan, Daisie Ryan, Pansy Ryar, Bessie Ryan, Laurel Hamilton, Marie Matkpvlch, Alma Pennell, Edua Hayward, Gwladys Gwilliam, Lilian Jenkinson, Muriel Mettam, Marjorie Smith, Ruth Alexander, Elspeth Dykes, Marlon Dykes, Minnie William.i, Marjorie Say, Bill and Brenda Bishop, and others, no names being attached.

ADDRESS BY MAJOR ANDREWS.

With the idea of impressing upon the minds of the children the true meaning of Anzac Day< Mr G. H. Taylor, headmaster of the Pae'roa District High School, arranged with the local Defence officials to address the scholars. On Tuesday morning Mayor C. Andrews, 0.8. E., N.Z.S.C., officer commanding the No. 2 regimental district, addressed the pupils, who were lined up in hollow square in the playground. In the course of his address Major Andrews explained New Zealand’s relation with Great Britain, and how the Government of New Zealand had raised, equipped, and maintained an army m the field. The embarkation of the New Zealanders at Alexandria, their perilous journey to Mudros and Lemnos : n transports, and, finally, the part played by them in the famous landing at the Dardanelles was graphically described. The speaker appealed to the children to ever cherish the memory of the New Zealand soldiers who lain down their lives in the cause of justice and liberty. On Anzac Day, continued the Major, one of the greatest deeds of the war was done, when our boys effected the memorable landing on the Anzac beacn. The derivation of the word “Anzac” was explained. At the conclusion of his address, which was very impressive, yet simply worded so that every child could understand, Major Andrews was heartily applauded by the children.

After the flag had been saluted and a verse of the National Anthem sung the children returned to their classrooms with feelings of pride for the deeds done by the New Zealanders, especially on Anzac Day, 1915.