ANZAZC DAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2725, 26 April 1924, Page 3

ANZAZC DAY.

LOCAL COMMEMORATION service. Tile ninth anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand troops upon Gallipoli, on April 25 th, 1915, was fittingly commemorated at Foxton yesterday, by a parade and religions sendee in the Town Hall.

At 2.30 p.m. Returned Soldiers and members of the local Fire Brigade, headed by the combined Foxton and Salvation Army bands, paraded from the post ofliee to the Town Hall. The procession was marshalled by Mr R. McMurray, who earned a beautiful laurel wreath, the Silver Band’s token of respect to the memory of the local soldiers who made-the supreme sacrifice. A large number of people listened to the strains of the stirring march as the procession moved along Main Street. There was a large attendance at the service In the Town Hall over which the Mayor (.Mr John Chrystall) presided and who was accompanied on the platform by the Revs. W. IT. Walton (Anglican) Perryman (Methodist) and Captain Li Dings lon and Stevenson (Salvation Army). The combined bands, under flic eondnetorship of Mr J. Colder, played the accompaniments to rlie hymns.

The service opened with the stingy ing of the National Anthem followed by an appropriate prayer by the Rev. Perryman. The Mayor expressed pleasure in seeing such a large gathering assembled. He apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Rev. F. McDonald to whom a vote of sympathy was passed in connection with his wife’s illness. The Mayor also extended a welcome to the Rev. Mr Perryman. He also paid a tribute tc- the returned soldiers, fire brigade and combined bands for assistance rendered. The Mayor then briefly referred to the observance of Anna e Day, which fended to promote the spirit of good will and harmony among citizens as units of the Empire. He referred to the work of the League of Nations in its efforts to promote national peace. Captain Lillingston read Mathew V. and the Rev. W. H. Walton I'satin 46. The hymns “O God our Help in Ages Past/’ Kipling’s “Recessional” and “Lead Kindly Light” were sung. The. Rev. W. H. Walton delivered the address, basing his remarks on 1 he nation's prayer as set out in the Rook of Nehemiah, from which he drew three greut lessons applicable to the British Empire and its people. As members of the British Empire we enjoyed great privileges, which, however, were linked with great responsibilities. National sins had brought about national ruin and we had to guard against the canker of sin in the individual and national life as it was righteousness alone which exalleth a nation. Unless we realised the true spirit of Anzae Day the sacrifices made would be in vain. The strife against sin still continued. We must he prepared as individuals to confess our uuworthiltess to God and assist to build up i.iodliness in the national life. Property as in the times of old, caused the nation to forget God and led to their downfall. We must he on our guard agaiust evil and remain in constant prayer and watchfulness. Our’s was a goodly heritage and it had to he maintained at personal sacrifice and godly conduct. The Benediction pronounced by the Rev. W. H. Walton concluded a very impressive service. An adjournment was then made to the soldiers memorial monument, the base of which was covered with beautiful wreaths by relatives and friends of those who had paid the supreme sacrifice. The "Last Post was sounded by Bugler V\ ails amidst inteuse silence.

The cumbiued bands then reformed and to the strains of a stiring inured proceeded up the main street. A well attended service was also deld in All Saints’ Church at il a.m. uud was conducted by the ltev. W. 11. Waited, vicar.