ANZAC DAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 122, 27 April 1925, Page 7

ANZAC DAY.

IMPRESSIVE OBSERVANCES. PADRE WALLS’S STIRRING ADDRESS. That the significance of Anzac Day h.»s in no wise been forgotten by the people of Palmerston North has been strikingly evidenced by the character of and attendances at the observances held on the present occasion. Throughout, there has been a note of the birth of a national spirit for New Zealand sounded amidst the sad and triumphal memories voiced anent the glorious part played by the officers and men of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in the Great War. A great concourse of people assembled at the Showgrounds on Saturday *afternoon when Padre Walls, of Wellington, delivered a stirring and powerful address which will live long in the memory of those privileged to hear it. In the schools and churches heartfelt reference was made to the occasion, which throughout the district—and in the country centres no less than in the town —was most fittingly observed.

LARGE ATTENDANCE AT SHOWGROUNDS. The public Bervice at the Showgrounds was so largely attended that the big grandstand could not seat all those who assembled there. The orrival of the body of returned men was an imposing spectacle and there was a very large parade, while a group of South African and Maori War veteran* conveyed remembrance of tho part played by New Zealand in a more distant period. Those who attended included the officers of the local division of the Defence Department, the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mr3F. J. Nathan),

Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., and Mrs Nash, and most of tho local ministers, borough councillors and representative citizizens. The proceedings, which throughout were of a most devout and sincere character, commenced with the singing of the hymn, “O, God, Our Help in Ages Past,” followed by prayer led by Padre Harold T. Peat. The company then joined in the singing of “0, Valiant Hearts,” and the chaplain (Padre Walls) , conducted response*. After the singing ot “Lead, Kindly Light,” and a brief Scripture reading by Rev. J. M. Stewart, there was an impressive silence of two minutes while the assemblage offered up silent prayer for those bereaved, sorrowing or suffering through the Great War. Prayer in commemoration of the fallen was voiced by Rev. Stewart, and prior to Padre Walls’s address the company stood bareheaded while the Municipal Band played the “Dead March” (Saul). REMEMBRANCES OF GALLIPOLI. Padre Walls then delivered his address. Ho pictured at the outset the desperate yet glorious feat of arms performed ten years ago that day at Gallipoli by the Colonial and British troops, and in connection therewith stated: “During the Great War it was determined by His Majesty’s Government to make a display of strength upon Gallipoli for various reasons, and though the average mind could not then grasp the meaning, or see one reason in the wearying procession of events, time has proved that such an exhibition was not unnecessary. Whatever disappointment such an expenditure of super-manhood may have been from a political standpoint, there are certain facts remaining with us which stamp the whole venture us u colossal exhibition of the abandon of manhood to the cull of Em-

pire. April 25th is ‘Our Day.' Not in the sense that we give up the day to the deifying of war, or the wholesale expression of vindictive virulence upon a recent enemy, but it is ours this day to engage tP quiet contemplation arid review dispassionately many aspects of those years now past, and lingering with us only as a hideous memory, with flashes of extraordinary bruvey to lighten those dark days. While calling this occasion ‘Our Day,’ we do not forget that associations of the Mother Land made such an event possible. We remember the heroic landing made by the gallant 29th Division, that body of men whose training and military bearing were a revelation in preparation to our men—wonderful fellows, every one of them—for they had been hardened by years of fatigue and usage to the tropical sun and by association had become as many parts of a huge machine, now fitting into ohe gigantic whole. We must mention, also, the Royal Naval Division and the Frenchmen under their gallant general. While much could be said of various regiments, it remkin3 to be said of our men that, though almost all men had enlisted sinftb the declaration of war, and though with but six months’ training, for physical beauty and nobility of bearing they surpassed any men that 1 have ever seen. They walked and looked like kings in old poems and reminded ine of the line in Shakespeare—'Baited like eagles having lately bathed.’

THE FIRST NEWS. “In a da/ or two, it will be exactly 10 years since a telephone message reached the Salvation Army headquarters, Wellington, from Parliament buildings. It was, briefly, ‘Mr Massey had an important announcement to make, and that he would do so at 1 p.m. Would ‘the Salvation Army supply a band!" Still fresh in my mind is the fact of a beauftful day, an expectant concourse of people, who had gathered together in anticipation of some wonderful news regarding our boys, to hand from overseas. We were doomed to partial disappointment, however, for there was read to us a cablegram of congratulations, which had been forwarded at the instance of His Gracious Majesty, King George V., making refefence td the wonderful exhibition of physical strength, determination and pluck by our gallant men of tha Southern Cross. Our curiosity as to the whereabouts of our men was not satisfied, We were in a measure disappointed that we did not know where they were, but in this we were enlightened, they had done their duty—to war’s stern demand they had replied and they had covered themselves with glory, Glory

may be looked upon as small recompense for the loss of those whom we loved. When wo visualised again those who had left us, amidst tho waving of flags, the hurrahs of the multitude, and the cheerios on all sides, we considered glory secondary to the great question, ‘Was he safe V How hollow after all were our cheers that day ? All too soon the stern realities of war were mado plain to us who had not tasted of tho bitter fruits of personal and general sacrifice. That the few days following, when news, of loved ones, wounded or lost to our human vision for ever, were but a taste of the bitterness which was our cup is proved, by the fact that a period of three and a half years was to elapse, with the grim possibility that any day might witness a similar revelation to any resident in .this Dominion. The first wave of grief struck our Dominion immediately after the announcement by the Prime Minister, and we sorrowed together, for each man’s passing was a national loss, a calamity for the future of this country. Even as a prairie fire has a small beginning, and feeds itse’f unceasingly until its dimension? t.re almost limitless, so did this Dominion of ours feel the eve.- increasing and expanding demands made upon its national rns.nhood, and grief became part of our national life. DOMINION’S SACRIFICE.

“That tho Dominion was severely smitten,” he continued, “is amply exemplified by the publication of the New ZeaI land Expeditionary Force Roll of Honour, and as one reads the long detailed list of over 16.000 names, comprising those who were willing victims to war’s voracious appetite, he finds ample evidence of the fact that all districts and families gave of their best in that cause needing assistance. “On the actual landing, much has been written or said, and possibly the greatest silence has been maintained by those who were the actual participants in that brilliant military episode; an achievement ranking with Wolfe's escalade of the heights of Abraham. The Sabbath dawn had not broken when boatloads of men were already hurrying through the water under propulsion of oars, or towed by small pinaces towards the dim outline of land in the distance. In. the half-light before dawn the troops were convoyed an destroyers towards the shore. Slowly arid quietly the boats steal in towards land, vvl.en un enemy searchlight flares up, and with bij guns booming in the distance and dropping shells, and the bullets from rifle and machine guns whipping tlio cold waters of the Aegean Sea into spume, the boats’ freight of precious manhood becomes the centre of slaughter and unprecedented curnage. STRANGE ENCOUNTERS.

“With glasses focussed upon the brown fllopes, the observer could see many a hand to hand conflict —the parry —the blow—the thrust. Many a strange, willing encounter. As time passed, a firmer foothold wus established on that wrested area of divergent contrasts. No time had the warrior to take notice of that parsdisci of curious and beautiful flowers —‘his but to do—or die.’ Noble fellows! Nothing stopped these men. One has expressed himself —‘Men from the Southern Cross, earning Victoria Crosses, every one of them.’ “Meanwhile the toll exacted from the increasingly anxious comrades moving through the zone of fire on the bay to the help of comrades on land was veryheavy, and, added to the terrors continually before their eyes, was the spectacle of their comrades weighted down with packs and heavy impediments, entangled by sunken barbed wire and frequently to bo drowned before assistance was forthcoming. Small wonder that one wrote: ‘They have already created for their countries an imperishable record of military virtue.’ ”

A VIVID PICTURE. After dwelling upon the word “Anzac” and its meaning, the padre pictured vividly the exstonce of the troops on Gallipoli. “And what an existence,’’ he said. Living through intense bombardments, besides being subject to the pestilence of flics and n stench, baffling description these fellows held on for long and weary months, in the greatest personal discomfort, the while offering themselves living sacrifices to the war god Thor. The persistency of their expression of continuity under diabolical, oircumstance can never be written in words or type, it is a fact that ‘they just did it.’ The eliafadter of their doing is demonstrative in that of the 8556 New ZealonderS who landed on Gallipoli 7447, or 87 per cent, became casualty. Unknown warriors wore they. Certainly untried in war’s hatd ahd harsh schctol, but tletef Wanting at the call of duty and ovet 1 eager to lend a hand to do the job allot*d to them. MEN STILL PAYING A PRICE. “We have abundant evidence that with the close of hostilities, the spirit of the

UNITED SERVICE.

warrior did not die or peter out. In hospitals and tho sick room that spirit has found abundant echo. In many instances men have risked their lives more than once for their fellow and we had evidence only a few days since that a heavily handicapped man did not consider himself when there was a struggling human needing help. So handicapped was this Anzac of Anzac fame that he paid for his action by his life and so the old story of 10 years ago is being enacted in lively detail around us, demonstrating that there is a higher glory than seeking glory, a deeper honour than seeking after honour —the glory of the sacrifioal spirit, which gives up honour and glory for the sake of others.” THE "LAST POST.”The strains of the hymn, “God of Our Fathers,” sounded out in powerful volume after the conclusion of the address. Then followed tho Benediction and the singing of the National Anthem. All stood, rigid and bareheaded while the “Las; Post” was Bounded by Mr G. Beraersen, and one of the most memorable public gatherings of its nature in Palmersto i North was fittingly ended.

ADDRESS BY REV. FANCOURT.

As 6.30 p.m., under the auspices of the Council of Christian Congregations, a united service appropriate to the occasion was conducted at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. There was an attendance which taxed the capacity of the building. The hyinn, “0 God Our Help in Ages Past,” was sung at the commencement of the service, during which there were also sung a hymn of natioanl thanksgiving, “For All the Saints who from their Labours Rest,” and “The Lord Will Give Peace.” Devotions and Scripture reading were conducted by Revs. Bredin, Abbott, H. T. Peat and Stewart. A solo, “Bo Thou Faithful Unto Death,” was sung by Mr Burgluss. Rev. Bredin presided. “How quickly we fail to remember services rendered to us in the past,” said Rev. W. Fancourt, the chief speaker, at the outset of his address when alluding to the sacrificos made by Now Zealand’s and Australia's young men in the Great War. They had won an imperishablo name at Galli- | poli and elsewhere ho stated, and proceeded to picture what tho colonial troops had faced so courageously at Gallipoli, on tho fields of Flanders, in Palestine, and in other war centres. “Lest wo forget those who died to save the world,” he exclaimed. “They were tho flower of our manhood —tlioso who would havo to-day been in tho forefront of the men building up tho nation. Oh, the broken hearts and the aching void in many a woman’s heart to-day!” It was, he said, idle to laud the dead and it behoved them to ha.vo regard to those still living and suffering from the war, and above all to thank God for the victory. Archbishop Julius had said at Christchurch the other day that if New Zealand forgot God she would not be worth preserving. Wo hazl won with God’s help when by all human calculations the foe should have defeated us who were unprepared. If an ideal was worth dying for it was worth living haps it was harder even to do the latter [— and he exhorted his hearers to lead a straight life and sorve tho cause of righteousness. Thus might arise a bright world of goodness, peace and beauty. The singing of the Natioiral Anthem and the pronouncing of the Benediction concluded the service.

SACRED CONCERT. A sacred concert held in the Opera House on Saturday evening was very largely attended, the building, being crowded. A most pleasing musical programme was presented, tho chief feature being tho assistance* of four members of the Wellington commercial travellers’ male choir, who styled- themselves the Aeolian Quartette. Duets and solos were also, included in the work of the visitors. Their items included: Qunrettes, “In Silent Mead” (Emerson), “Ever Rustling Tree,” “Requiem” (Homer), “The Long Day Closes” (Sullivan), and “Stars of the Summer Night.” Miss A. Ashworth sang “Lift Thy Head” (Allitson), and “Who Knows” (Dunbar). Miss N. Whalley’e selections were “Life’s Garden” (Seymour Ellis) and “Some Day Soon.” “I Hear You Calling Me” (Marshall) was rendered as a tenor solo by Mr B. H. Mayall. and a pleasing baritone in Mr W. Church sang “There’s a Land” (Allitson). Messrs Mayall and Church contributed duets, “Watchman. What of the Night” (Sargeant) and “Battle Eve” (Bonheur) ; and Mr A. Coe a tenor eolo, “Crossing tho Bar” (Leveson Gower). Two cornet solos were excellently played by Mr G. Bergersen. Mis 3E. Wilson was accampanist.

MR JACOBS RETURNS THANKS. During an interval in the entertainment Mr B. J. Jacobs, president of tho Palmerston North Returned Soldiers’ Association, addressed tho assemblage. He stated that ho desired to thank the public for the manner in which Anzno Day had been observed locally and for the liberal response to the monetary appeals on behalf of the returned men. On behalf of the Returned Soldiers’ Association lie thanked the Council of Christian Congregations for their conduct of the usual evening combined service whereat a further collection hud been taken up in aid of the R.S.A. benevolent fund. That fund, he mentioned, had been instituted mainly through the effort*) of the Manawatu Patriotic Society. It was not a large fund but, it aimed at giving assistance to distressed •returned soldiers, and ho asked that any cases of hardship among the men bo reported, for, he said, many of them were far too proud and independent to ask for help on their own account. He thanked the Patriotio Society and Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., a member of that body, for furnishing the means for starting the fund. The Manawatu A. and P. Association for the use of tho showgrounds, the Mayor, Mayoress, afid borough councillors, for their attendance, tho childreh of the schools for their floral tributes. Mr Jacobs also thanked. The majority of the wreaths, he Btated, had beCn taken to Soldiers’ graves at the cemetery while others had been displayed at the afternoon ceremony and about the stage that evening. The collection waa mainly towards the work of lending the graves of soldiers in the Palmerston North cemetery. Some of the graves there, ho explained, were not under the care of the Government and the R.S.A.

sought that all the graves of soldiers chould bo cared for uniforndy. Tho R.S.A. was not a wealthy organisation and depended a groat deal on the general public. The afternoon’s collection totalled £43 13s 7d and for the evening £4B Be. Thero were several largo donors who preferred to remain anonymous. He expressed his thanks to the Municipal Band and to the Wellington Commercial Travellers’ Association for the assistance of members of the male choir of that body, paying a tribute to the qualities of commercial travellers in general. The ladies iind gentlemen who assisted on Poppy Day wore also thankod by the speaker. SCHOOL OBSERVANCES. On Friday afternoon, tho majority of the local schools conducted short, but fitting services in commemoration of Anzac Day, while at tho Central School a service was held on Anzac morning. Owing to the danger attending the assembling of all the scholars at the one institution, the combined primary schools’ services was cancelled, each conducting its own. GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

Prior to school dispersing, the pupils of the Girls’ High School were assembled on tho lawn fronting the building when a short commemorative' service was held. Proceedings opened witli tho offering of a prayer of thankfulness by the Rev. W. Fancourt, following which the scholars sang Kipling’s Recessional. In addressing the gathering Mr B. J. Jacobs, president of the Palmerston North branch of tho Returned Soldiers’ Association, stated that nothing gave him greater pleasure or honour than to take part in a service in connection with tho observance of Anzao Day. “I wish you to understand,” stated the speaker, “the reason I attend is because I am associated with an organisation which is deeply interested in the perpetuation of Anzao Day. The maintenance of such observation, however, depends on you girls. You wero fortunate in that you wero not old enough to fully realise the horrors of the original Anzac Day, nor the time of anxiety which followed in the succeeding four years. You will, however, realise the anxiety of the pust period during which the infantile paralysis held sway, and the relief expressed at its termination. In much greater degree was the relief of the world when the world strife was finally brought to a close, and it remains for you to perpetuate tho memory of those sacrifices which wero made solely for us.” The origin of the name Anzac was explained by the speaker, who pointed out that, while the war had brought into being many newly coined words, few would remain. Anzac Day would, however, be numbered among those which would remain, but the task of keeping its memory fresh lay in the hands of the youth of to-day. April 25th had been selected by New Zealand as tho day to commemorate the laying down of so many of her sons lives on the battlefields, for it was the day on which her soldiers had received their baptism of fire. Tho sacrifices which had been demanded that day had been followed by thousands of others in tho four succeeding years. Some had been privileged to witness the awful chaos and would never forget it, but it remained for the futuro generations to keep those sacrifices ever in mind. By tho sacrifices on the part of those dead heroes, the British race had been enabled to live under their own flag, speak their own language, and to enjoy a great peace. ~ . Tho flag was then flown at half-mast by Miss Myrtle Carty, the senior prefect, during which time the assembly stood with bowed heads in tribute to the dead, following which the flag was raised and the proceedings brought to a conclusion the singing of “God Save the King. BOVS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

jf At the Boys’ High School the scholars 1 1 and members of the teaching staff assembled -I around the Gallipoli oak, which was plant- - led some years ago in memory of the old t pupils who laid down their lives in tho ’ Great War. After mentioning the object ot the gatli- - ering and extending a welcome to Messrs > J A. Nash, M.P., and T. R. Dodder, ’ members of the Board of Governors, Mr J. * Murray rector of the institution, expressed 1 the hope- that the pupils would catch : something of the spirit which had animated ' tho old boys of tho school. Ho wished

to commend to the scholars John Masefield’s greut classic of the Gallipoli campaign, in which they would see something of that spirit. ~ Mr Hodder then read from the Old Testament David’s lament over Saul. After expressing the pleasure that lie felt at being present with the scholars at their annual commemoration ceremony, Mr Nash stated that everyone ought to feel grateful that Parliament had made Anzac Day a day of remembrance. Unfortunately this had not been done in some parts of the Empire, notably Australia, where, however, the returned soldiers had made reheated requests to the Government to have this dav observed fittingly. New Zealanders 'could only hope that they wou d bo successful in their efforts Many old pupils of the Palmerston North Boys High School had served in the Great W ar, and many had fallen. They had died as heroes and had given their lives that others might live. Everyone should wish that wars might* be no more and that the League of Nations might in tho future be always able to arrange peaceful settlements of disputes, but the speakor was certain that if it was necessary for the boys of tho school to ever shoulder arms they would do so hi the same spirit ais that exhibited by the oi l pupils during 1914 to 1918. The great landing on Gallipoli was something that would never be forgotten by the peoples of the British Empire. It had been a costly undertaking, not from a monetary point of view, but from one of the great loss of life. It had been appalling at the time, and still was, to read of the many men who had been killed, some even before the landing. Tho gallantry of the New Zealand troops would ever bo remembered. A.s the boys of the school grew into manflood they would ask themselves what they ;ould do to emulate the deeds of the former pupils. “The answer is simple,” stated Mr Nash. "You must be diligent in your studies and play the game with pour teachers and comrades, both in and :ut of sehool, ever remembering that iharacter is man’s greatest asset and the me possession that makes all’-otlier posses-

sions worth while, and without which none other is of any permanent value.” After exhorting tho boys to lead honourable and upright lives, Mr Nash continued : “May you be imbued with such ideals and may you always cherish the memories of those men who died so unselfishly for us.” Mr Murray then read the names of those old boys who had given their lives, following which tlio head prefect, D. Scott, laid a wreath at tho foot of the oak. The sounding of “The Last Post,” by O. Coles, an ex-pupil of the school, concluded the ceremony. TECHNICAL SCHC)6I.

At tho Technical School tho pupils assembled in tho entrance hall of the building at noon, when a short service was held. The director of tho school, Mr G. G. Hancox, led tho gathering in prayer, following which ho read a passage fnom tho Bible. Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., chairman of the Technical School Committee, then addressed the pupils. After outlining the chief events leading up to the historic Gallipoli landing and paying tribute to the gallantry of the Dominion soldiers, he emphasised the sacrificos mado by tho women of the country, remarking that there were even now inuny who were still making sacrifices.

At the conclusion of the address, tho head pupil placed a wreath on the school roll of honour board, the function being brought to a close by tho singing of the National Anthem. COLLEGE STREET.

At tho College Street School, the pupils were assembled in tho quadrangle, when a simple servico was conducted. .Proceedings were opened with the singing of “The Children’s Song,” at tho conclusion of which the headmaster, Mr W. A. Swinbourn, took the opportunity to explain to tho children why Anzac Day was honoured. “Tomorrow,” stated tho speaker, “marks tho anniversary of tho landing at Gallipoli of tho Australian and New Zealand forces and tho 29th Division. That day marked the first entry of tho colonial troops into battle in the world war. They made history for us, apd as each Anzac Day comes .round special services are held to the memory of those men and as a tribute for what they did for us. The deeds of those men could not but bring uppermost in the minds of us two tilings—pride in thendeeds, and sorrow at the loss of so many of New Zealand’s manhood. Wo must remember for all time that these men went out to fight against nations which wero endeavouring to tako away the freedom which Great Britain had striven for, ever since she had begun tho moulding of the nation. That was patriotism and while you boys cannot go out and display your patriotism similarly, you can do so in a different way in your own land by endeavouring to do your best and fit yourselves for after school life. It is easy to forget the lessons which have been taught

us and tho example set, but theso annual services will aid in the preserving of the I memories of those men who died that we might live.” Mr A. J. Trovena, a returned soldier and a member of tlio staff of the School, in addressing tlio scholars, said that Anzac Day always recalled to him sad memories, for he had lost two of his best friend* on Gullipoli. One had been Lieut. Gray, whoso name the elder children would recognise from the fact that a scholarship had been instituted in his memory. Lieut. Gray had, himself, been a teacher at the old Campbell Street School and in the early days of the war, Palmerston North had had one of tho largest military camps in New Zealand at Awapuni, and it had been there that tho speaker had witnessed one touching incident when Mr C. H. Warden, headmaster of Campbell Street School, }iad taken tho scholars down to tho camp to bid farewell to their old master. Mr Trevena also explained in simple language tho conditions under which a soldier iiad lived during training and on active service, detailing many little incidents which proved of interest to his young listeners. Thero were many things in connection with war which wero better forgotten, concluded the speaker, for war itBelf was awful. Nevertheless, he felt sure that every boy would, if required, in the future, willingly do his part. Mr N. Martin, in tho course of a few brief remarks, stated that the soldiors had been called upon to do many distasteful

things, but had ever performed them ! cheerfully, and tho boys of to-day could I show their loyalty by doing their school j work with a similar willingness. Tho soldiers had acted straight and had proved an object lesson to the younger generation who followed them. The children then faced the school memorial on which are inscribed tho names of 21 former scholars who mado the supremo sacrifice, standing at tho salute while a large number of beautiful wreaths were laid at tho baso. The singing of Kipling’s '“Recessional,” which was followed by a minute’s silence and the sounding of the "Last Post,” by Mr Berryman, brought the service to a fitting conclusion. TERRACE END. At tho Terraco End School the pupils were assembled in tho playground where, after they had sung the National Anthem, they were addressed by the headmaster (Mr G. E. Overton) who explained the meaning and significance of Anzac. Ho then briefly described tho landing at Gallipoli which, he stated, was a death trap. Tracing tho difficulties encountered by the troops, he told how the untried soldiers of New Zealand had stormed the cliffs and in many cases had laid down their lives to save thoso left at homo in New Zealand. With their Australian comrades, they hnd fought like heroes and died in order that others might live. On April 25th all business in Australia and New Zealand and Australia would cease as a. mark of respect to those who did not return. Gallipoli, he said, had claimed, many of tho bravest of New Zealand’s sons who now lay in lonely graves far from home. He asked the children to remember that the day was one of remembrance and not just a holiday. It was a day on which the thoughts of all would go to the lonely graves on Gallipoli and in France. Some 16,000 New Zealanders had not returned

and these were among tho best fighters in the world. Mr Overton then asked the children as a mark of respect to observe one minute’s silence, following which a short poem appropriate to the occasion was recited by one of the pupils. WEST END. At tho West End School the soholars wero assembled in the hall, which was crowded. Tho proceedings wero opened with the Natioanl Anthem, followed by "God Savo New Zealand,” which wero sung by all present., Mr B. J. Jacobs then addressed the children on the line 3 of his remarks at the Girls’ High School. Tho men who fought and died always would be remembered with gratitude, and on this day, which was a day of mourning, particularly would the thoughts of tho people of Now Zealand be filled with gratitude. They would, ho hoped, in the future keep alive the spirit of Anzao Day and instil into the minds of tho children of the future the knowledge of tho great debt owing to the men of Anzac.

Rev. H. T. Peat then led the assembly in prayor, following which Kipling’s “Recissional” was sung. Mr Peat then briefly explained how grateful each child should bo to those gallant men who had fought and died that those in New Zealand could enjoy life. He hoped that all present would endeavour to emulate the deeds of tho fallen and in tho future always would be loyal to the flag and country. The Doxology, followed by a prayer, concluded tho proceedings. IMPRESSIVE SERVICE AT CENTRAL. Tho observance at Central School on Saturday morning was beautiful to a degree. Prior to the scholars and parents gathering in the huge assembly hall, the children placed a wealth of beautiful wreaths on and about the temporary' cenotaph which was located in the school grounds. Thore was ono magnificent floral tribute which fittingly crowned the silent tokens of remembrance and respect and that was a wreath forwarded by Mrs 11. L. Langford. Indoors wreaths were placed under tho photographs of the late Captain Harry Palmer and Liteutenant J. li. Gray, both of whom had been connected with old Campbell Street School —tho former as a committeeman and the latter as a teacher —and both of whom had mado tho supremo sacrifice.

Mr L. F. tin Berry, president of the Headmasters’ Association, presided over the large assemblage. Following the National

Anthem the children sung “The Childreh’s Song” (Kipling). It was unnecessary, said the chairman, to allude to the occasion, but he desired to explain that this year the local primary schools were not combining in Anzao Day observance on account of the epidemic. This was Central’s observance and he stressed the necessity for the holding of such an observance through the years, in order that the generations to come might know and realise the significance of Anzao Day. Mr B. J. Jacobs, president of the Palmerston North R.S.A., briefly addressed the gathering, his remarks generally being on the lines of those at the Girls’ High School and at West End School. When the young ones before him were men and women they would realise what a wonderful thing had

been done by the men who had landed at Gallipoli in tho face of powerful opposition. Ono of their own masters and a prominent member of tho School Committee had laid down their lives there. The men of Anzac had laid down tho traditions of New Zealand, as the school children were laying down the traditions of the school. He concluded by commending to them tho thoughts: “Be loyal to your Kipg; be loyal to yourselves, give reverence and tfianks to God.” Tho official school wreaths and one from Hokowhitu were then placed on the platform of tho assembly hall. This was followed by the singing of Kipling’s “Recessional,” prayer Jed by Rev. J. M. Stewart, and a short Bible reading by Mr Gabites. Rev. Mr Stewart stated at tho outset of his address that April 25 would always shine in letters of gold in the calendar of New Zealand. There were many hearts that were heavy each Anzao Day, and it wa3 necessary to explain tho meaning of

Anzac, for tho chidlren to know what led up to it. In 1915, both the Gorman and Allied armies were at a standstill—neither could advance—but the Balkan States were in the balanco and the ’Turks controlled I the Dardanelles and blocked tho entrance I to the Black Sea where food ships were im- ’ prisoned. It was decided to endeavour t 9 ! force the Dardanelles to release the ships, | and make a more speedy end to the war. ;A naval attack alone was found insufii- ; cient owing to tho mine fields and early ! in April 1915 all was ready for tho landI ing of a force of Australian and New Zeai land army corps men at Gaba Tepo, while : other British troops were to land at Cape Helles. The heights were strongly held by well-equipped Turks. On April 25 the troops landed in the face of a deadly fire, hundreds being killed in the boats and on the beach. Gallantly they charged with the bayonet, all divisions hopelessly mixed up, and gained a hold at the foot of the hills. He described the frightful conditions obtaining on Gallipoli where our men performed such an epic feat of arms against fearful odds. “It is the story of a young Dominion finding its soul,” said Mf Stewart. They then, tenderly and affectionately remembered those who had laid down their lives in the great conflict. New Zealand had sent over 90.000 men to tho front, of whom over 16,000 had mado tho supreme sacrifice. To them they paid their respect, commemorating Anzac Day as one of the great features of the war- Mr Stewart concluded a magnificent and stirring address with an appeal to tho children to live up to their heritage. The Doxology was sung, and the Bcnedicition pronounced by Mr Stewart, foblowing which tho “Last Post” was sounded by Mr G. Bergersen without the building!