OBSERVANCE BY PUPILS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 125, 26 April 1940, Page 9

OBSERVANCE BY PUPILS.

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL. The Anzac commemoration ceremony of the Palmerston North Girls’ High School was held in the assembly hall o.ii Wednesday afternoon. The chairman of the High School Board of Governors (Mr M. H. Oram) was present, and also on the platform were the principal (Miss E. E. Stephens) and members of the staff. Proceedings opened with the hymn “For All the Saints.” Mr Oram read the Scripture chapter commencing “Let us now praise famous men,” and prefaced the reading by pointing out the appropriateness of recalling in absolute humility the events of 25 years ago to-day when the Empire was once more fighting for the same ideals—peace and the honour of the pledged word, a liberty, honour and freedom. Miss Stephens gave a brief account and explanation of the Gallipoli campaign, ending with a quotation read from John Masefield’s “Gallipoli,” and the ceremony concluded with “God Save the King.” BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL. At the Boys’ High School the speaker was Rev. C. Eaton, of St. Paul’s Methodist Church. The rector (Mr J. Murray) extended a welcome to Mr Eaton, Mr T. Iv. Fraser (president of the Old Boys’ Association), Mr P. B. Trow (secretary of the association). and Mr A. A." Langley (chairman of the Parents’ Association). A portion of Scripture was read by Mr S. G. Northey from Samuel 11., chapter one, -17-27. Mr Eaton in his address stressed the importance of Anzac Day—a day of remembrance of those who gave their lives during 1914-1918. Many people though Anzac Day had outlived its usefulness, but he was of the opinion it had not done so, and he asked the boys to think of it as a day of remembrance. Mr Fraser read the roll of honour in which were also incorporated the names of two old boys—Messrs A. Whitehead and A. Wright—who had lost their lives siuce the commencement of hostilities in. the present war.

At the conclusion of the singing of the National Anthem the school bugle band, under the baton of Captain F. AV. G. McLeod, of the City Band, rendered the Last Post. The hymns “0 Valiant Hearts” and “Lest AVe Forget” were sung. Later the pupils filed passed the wreath laid at the loot of the Gallipoli oak tree by A. Campbell, head prefect, in front "of the school. AT CENTRAL SCHOOL. MAORI CHAPLAIN’S ADDRESS. There was a larger attendance of adults than lias been the custom at the Central School, at 9 a.m., when a brief service of remembrance was conducted iu tlie assembly ball. The speaker was Rev. Captain R. Harawira, of the Maori Battalion, who was introduced bv the chairman of the School Committee (Mr AV. G. Black). The headmaster (Air E. Bury) was in charge of proceedings. . Captain Harawira delivered a short address in which, stressing the importance of this year’s observance, he likened Great Britain’s present campaign to that of St. George in slaying the dragon which had threatened England. A quarter of a century ago another serpent had boon laid low, but it had grown another head, and once again St. George was on his charger. . “You and I will never rest this time till the serpent is slain,” declared the speaker. “Unless St. George is united and faithful we can never hope to slay it. Aon have your part to do here and we have our part over the other side, and tins time we arc going to 'make a real job of it. The spirit of Anzac—the spirit or sacrifice—must be in us if we are to succeed. I leave this thought with you —St. George is on his charger!” Air Bary wished Captain Harawira and the Maori Battalion God speed on their departure overseas. Prior to the service wreaths were deposited in front of the school for subsequent removal to the AA’ar Alemorial. and in the service others were placed before tin- honours board. The National Anthem. “Children’s Song” and “Tlie Recessional” were sung, and Captain Harawira offered prayer. TERRACE END SCHOOL. There was a good attendance -of children, parents and friends at the service at the Terrace End School yesterday morning. The service opened with "the National Anthem, followed by a reading from Ecclesiastes (“Let us now praise famous men”) by Rev. F. S. Ramson. Prayers were offered by Air Ramson and two hymns were sung. The principal address was given by Rev. Clarence Eaton, who spoke on tlie significance of Anzac Day and the place it took in our national life, and the inspiration given by the deeds of heroism of New Zealand soldiers in tlie last war. The headmaster (AH A. AV. Thompson) briefly referred to the part that old pupils of the school had played in the last war and were playing in the present war, after which Laurie AVailace read the school roll of honour of the last war and Rosemary Chamberlain recited “AVe shall .remember them.” These two pupils are the head prefects. The ceremony,concluded with tlie singing of the “Peace Hymn,” after which the children filed in procession to the memorial gates at the school swimming hath and placed there mail}’ beautiful floral tributes which they" had made themselves. RUSSELL STREET SCHOOL. At the Russell Street School the assemblage of children, parents, teachers and nionilicrs of the committee heard a striking address on the meaning of “Anzac” by Rev. Clarence Eaton, of St. Paul's Alethodist Church. The speaker dealt with the spirit of sacrifice of the men who had laid down their lives at the landing at Gallipoli. They had added a new day to the calendar, lie said; a day rich with inspiration and of hallowed memory. Alr Eaton went on to stress his pride in being a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations and asked the girls and boys to develop great pride in their nationality. Air J. A. Grant, chairman of tiic committee, presided, - and the service was organised by Air .J. Connor (headmaster). The hymns “0 God Our Help,” Kipling’s “Recessional,” “Abide With Ale,” and the National Anthem were sung, and «\lr Eaton’s Scripture reading was Psalm 115. The school’s wreath was the work of Afrs Connor. Later, floral emblems were laid by the children on the soldiers’ graves at the cemetery and on the AA’ar Memorial in the Square. COLLEGE STREET SCHOOL. The Anzac Day commemoration service at the College Street School, which took place in the school grounds on AVednesday afternoon, opened with the singing of the National Anthem, after which the hymn “0 God Our Help” was sung by all present. The headmaster (Air N. 11. Tunmchff) addressed the children and parents on the meaning of the word Anzac, and said how all could apply the lesson of Anzac to their daily lives. After the observance of" a minute’s silence the head prefects laid three wreaths on the roll of honour in tlie school, past which all classes filed after the singing of the New Zealand National Anthem. After the service the prefects proceeded to the AA’ar Memorial in the Square, where they laid the wreaths. HOIvOAVHITU SCHOOL. At the Anzac Day commemoration servic- at the Hokowliitu School on AVednesday afternoon th<? ! children be-o-an by singing the New Zealand National Anthem. Tlie headmaster (Mr A. H. AlcLean) read a chapter from St. Luke’s Gospel, after which, in addressing the children* he explained the origin of the word “Anzac” and all it stood for. At the conclusion of the address, tlie hymn, “These Tilings Shall Be” was sung. A wreath was laid by the two head prefects on a table, which was adorned by tlie Union Jack. l<our of the senior girls each read selections from “Flanders Field,” by Dr John McCrae and “For the Fallen” by Lawrence Binyon. Before concluding by singing ihe National Anthem, the children saluted the flag as a mark of iespect to tlie fallen Anzacs.