ANZAC DAY CELEBRATIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2421, 27 April 1922, Page 2

ANZAC DAY CELEBRATIONS.

AT THE STATE SCHOOL.

Anzae Day was celebrated at the local State School on Monday as the school did not participate officially in the public ceremony on Tuesday- At 8.55 a.m. the school was assembled and the flag saluted followed by a brief address by the headmaster (Mr Banks) on the significance ot the day’s proceedings. The geography lesson was appropriate. After recess, the pupils made a living formation of the words “Anzae Day, April 25th ” This was very effective. The hisiory lesson touched on the Gallipoli campaign, with, composition on the same subject. • .

In the afternoon the children were assembled in the front of the vestibule and were addressed by Mr ITornblow, chairman of the Committee, and the Rev. Walton. The former spoke of “sacrifice and service” and urged the children to be loyal to King and Empire. ' The Rev. Mr Walton spoke on “zeal and courage,” which animated the lives of those whose memories they were that day honouring. At the conclusion of the address Mr Basil Walls (a returned soldier and ex-scholar) sounded the “last post” while the children stood with bowed The National Anthem was then ’ sung and the children marched in procession past the school roll of honour and deposited floral tributes ia front of the enlarged photographs of ex-pupils who had made the supreme sacrifice. The word “Anzae” was beautifully arranged in floral letters below the tablet beneath which was displayed the photographs. The N. Z. Ensign was’ flown at half-mast.

I'll© whole arrangements were splendidly carried out and reflected • redit upon the head teacher, staff and children.-

PUBLIC MEMORIAL SERVICE. On Tuesday at 2 p.m. a combined religious service was held in the Town Hall before a very large and representative gathering of the public. The combined Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian choirs, under the baton' of Air R. T. Betty led the singing. The Mayor (Air John Chrystall) presided and associated with him were the Revs. Ajr Minifie (Methodist) and Walton (Anglican). The Union Jack was draped on a table in the centre of the stage and beneath were a number of beautiful wreaths and floral tributes. The choir occupied seats on the stage. A large number of Returned Soldiers (including a few South African vetrans) were in utterance. Air Thornber presided at the piano and was assisted by Afr Moorman flatatist. The proceedings opened with the National Anthem. - , The Mayor (Air Chrystall) ex- ■ pressed pleasure at seeing, so many , returned soldiers present and taking an active part in the ceremony. He hoped their interest would continue. He made feeling reference to the mothers, whose sacrifices in the giving of their sons should not be forgotten. He felt it an honour to be a subject of our great and glori- . ous Empire, which had been worthy \ of the sacrifice made. He‘ hoped - x that as we had been united in war to uphold our glorious traditions, so we should be uhited in times of peace to justify the great sacrifices made. He regretted to say, - however, t-liat there was a small section in this dominion who were openly disloyal. He would be lacking in his public duty r did he not raise his voice in protest against sowing the seeds of disloyalty and discord. For a thousand years our grand old Hag had stood for Liberty and Justice and we must uproot the seeds of disloyalty which threatened to wreck the Empire. If British hearts beat true the sacrifices made would not be in vain. JT" The Rev. Mr Walton took for nis subject “courage and zeal” basing his remarks on the text, “I have fought the good fight etc.” He spoke eloquently of the part taken in the war by soldiers in Gallipoli and France. They had handed us the torch to carry on. Christian faith was the foundation of our Empire and so long as we were true to our Christian principles would we justify the sacrifices made. 1 ' At the conclusion of the service the “Garland of Flowers” was played and the returned soldiers came forward and took the floral tributes and marched in procession to the Soldiers Memorial in the Triangle Reserve, where they were reverently laid alongside many others, by the Churches and relatives of deceased soldiers. The Rev. Mr Minifie read portion) of the Burial Service and Air Basil Walls sounded the “Last Post” after which the Benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Mr Walton. The service throughout was deeply impressive and the fine afternoon was responsible . for the large gathering.