ANZAC DAY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4824, 27 April 1925, Page 2

ANZAC DAY.

SERVICE IN PAEROA. ‘•LEST WE FORGET.” As has been the custom in past years, and hi common with othercenties in Australia and New Zealand, Anzac Day was observed generally with a spirit of reverence: in Paeroa on Saturday. At the various churcnes during the morning and evening special services were held, and feeling references were made to the commemoration of those who laid down their lives in the Great War, and especially to those who made the supremo sacrifice in the historic landing on the shores of Gallipot,! on April 25, 1915.

A Citizens’ Commemoration Service was held in the Gaiety Theatre in tne afternoon, and there was a larger attendance than in previous years.

Prior to the tommeneement of the service the Salvation Army Band, under the conductorship of Bandmaster E. Martin, rendered a number of selections outside the theatre, and afterwards took up a position on the stage and, with Mrs Cooke at the piano, accompanied the singing of the hymns. The service was presided-over by His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall), and seated on the stage with him were the Revs. A. D. Costain (Methodist), R. Morgan (Presbyterian). Captain Humphreys (Salvation Army), and Mr J. W. T, Jones (Church of England). His Worship apologised for the absence of the Rev. F. B. Dobson, who was conducting :) isimilar se.rvice at Hikutaia, and Major C. E. Andrews, 0.8. E., N.Z.S.C,, who was attending the unveiling of a war memorial at Thames. An apology was also tendered on behalf of the Deputy-Mayor, Cr. E. Edwards. Commencing the service, the Mayor said that Anzac Day should fittingly be observed as a day of remembrance, and citizens should feel privileged to assemble and commemorate the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps on the shores of the Dardanelles. The spirit of the Anzacs must pervade such gatherings, and it was necessary that the public should keep faith with those who had died that they might live. No doubt the thought of Anzac Day would stir .poignant memories, and wounds would heal slowly, but. it was good that the people should pause and remeinber ami be chastened in spirit. The rising generation could never realise how great was the sacrifice that was made, not only by tlie troops, but oy those who .were left behind. The suspense and anguish of waiting for news in New Zealand in those days could never be forgotten. The glory of war and the glamour of victory faded when the price paid tor victory was remembered. Tlie spirit, of the men of Anzac, and their sacrifice and service, had helped to make the world the good place to live in that it was. To those who mourned afresh that dav he extended human friendship and sincere sympathy. The service proceeded with the singing of the hymn ”O God our help in ages past” ;'prayer, Captain Humphreys ; 90th psalm, Mr J. W. T. Jones ; hymn, ‘‘For all the Saints" , address, the Rev. A. D. Costain; hymn, “O valiant heart”; prayer, the Rev., R, Morgan ; sacred song, “Nearer my God to Thee,” Mrs P. Hague-Smith ; Benediction, the Rev. Costain. In his address the Rev. Costain said that it wab ten years since the New Zealanders had shown their sterling worth and had rubbed shoulders, with soldier., of other lands, it was so simple, he (-aid, to talk of sacrifice, but the true value of sacrifice was enhanced by the willingiiess with which it was performed, and that was where remembrance and tribute was due to those who had given their lives. Honour and thanks were due to the men who had been spared to return to New Zealand, not. so much for what they had actually performed but for what they were willing to do. Tne sacrifices made by the soldiers laid a claim on tlie lives of the present generation, and it was for them to see that Anzac Day was reverently remembered and honoured. What ivais being none, he asked, to conserve tne freedom that had been purchased at such a higli cost. People, generally, were prone to forget such matters, and their bank balance, ease, and comfort were to many of far greater concern. It was a duty of tlie people to bestir themselves and make tiie land a better place to live in, and by their example teach the rising generation to seek the good and renounce tlie wrong. Much of the drabness and dreariness in the world to-day could be swept away if people possessed-suf-ficient faith to fight what was wiiong ami unclean. Anzac Day should convey to all a feeling that hearts should be sot upon doing only good, and eyes tp see only the best in life and for them to steadfastly pursue and overcome tlie enemies that destroyed the life of the community. Quoting Rupert. Brooke “If I should die, think only this of me; that there is a corner of a. foreign fiel.d that is for ever England,” the speaker said that that was the spirit of the soldier. In conclusion lie urged the gathering to let Anzac Day mean a call to service and sacrifice.

“The Last Post,” sounded by Bandmaster E. Martin, concluded the service. AT THE SCHOOL. A large number of citizens visited the District Higli School during the day and placed wreaths and other floi'la emblems at the foot of the. Roll of Honour. Many of the wreaths were beautiful, and bore silent testimony of the love and veneration felt for the Fallen. A noticeable feature was the number of wreaths made by the school children. The headmaster (Mr G. H. Taylor) and hie staff never lose an opportunity to foster and encourage the children to fittingly remember those who have lain down their lives, and this fact was highly commented upon by the, many who visited the school.

Wreaths were placed at the foot of the Roll of Honour by the following Mayor and Councillors, Colonel and Mrs Porritt, Mr and Mrs W. H. Taylor

and family, Mr and Mrs G. H. Taylor, Mr and Mrs ,W. Barclay, Mr and Mrs Rickard, Miss E. -Rickard, Mr and Mrs W. L. Lawrence, Mr and Mrs A. Lawrence, Dr. and Mrs Smith, teachers and scholars, Paeroa District High School, Matkovich, Miss C. Taylor, Gwladys Gwilliam, Joy Dobson, Olive Dobson, Alma Pennell, Muriel Mettam, Joy and Huia Blytli,, Irene Bartlett, Thelma and Belle Neil, Hazel Farrow, Ruth Swann, Laurel Hamilton, Lilian Jenkinson, Marie Matkovich, Lilias George, Daisy Smith, Muriel Campbell, Marie and Patsie Thorp, Madge and Trevor Thorp, Marjorie, Joyce, and Clifford Spy, Jean Taiboys, Flora Spilsbury, Joy Taiboys. Rudali and Adrian Alp, Kerry and Bowen Miller, John Phillips, Phil Barclay, Rangi Campbell, Gordon Edwards, Donald Sanderson, and others without names.

A number of beautiful floral tributes were placed on a temporary shrine at the foot of the Honours Board in St. Paul’s Church.