DIVINE SERVICE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 128, 30 April 1940, Page 8

DIVINE SERVICE

GATHERING AT ,SHOWGROUNDS. PRESENTATION TO BATTALION. Further expressions of good wishes were paid to the Alaori Battalion at tho Showgrounds, on Sunday altcrnoon, mien Divine service was held, followed by brief atldresSes from representative citizens. The Mayor (fur A. E. Alanstord) handed to the battalion, on behalf of the citizens, a piano-accordion as a memento of the battalion’s stay in the | city. Hundreds of citizens anil visitors were present. The battalion paraded under the command of Aiajor G- Bertrand, second-in-commaiul, in the absence of Lieutenant-Colonel E. Dittmer, officer commanding, in Welling- | ton, and evoked spontaneous applause I from the spectators as it marched on ; to tho Showgrounds oval, and again as it left at the conclusion of the ceremony. The service was conducted by the chaplain,, Rev. Captain K. Haraivira, who was assisted I>y Rev. H. Taopa. The Manawatu Mounted Rifles (Garrison Band) provided music for the battalion and also accompanied the hymns. The service was conducted partly in Alaori, and opened with the Maori rendering of the “Old Hundredth.” Tho hymns “Lead Kindly Light” and “0 God Our Help in Ages Past” were sung, and prayers offered in Alaori by Captain Harawira. A Scripture reading in English Was given by Air Taepa. After an address by Captain Harawira, the battalion, unaccompanied, sank in Alaori “Jestf Lover of Aly Soul,” Captain Harawira saying that, this was the only hymn the Maoris iiad sung on Gallipoli, and the service concluded with the 1 singing of “Abide With Ale,” tho pronouncing or the Benediction both in Alaori and English, and the National Anthem. Captain Harawira based his address on a text taken from Hebrews 12, verses 1 and 2. Captain Harawira said lie would refer to the great cloud of witnesses mentioned in the verse. The spirit of Anzac was still with us, and that was what was meant by a great cloud of witnesses encompassing us, in the expectation that at that very moment the spirits of the fathers or those men present that day were with them in all they did. The present generation was being called on to make its particular contribution to the peace of the world. The men who stood before him were going to give of their very best. It was not for him to talk about the of her men who had given then best for the Alaori race in the other war, but on the eve of the depaituie of these men he would like to say one thing—the unity of these two races | in this wonderful country of ours would be further established as they stood shoulder to shoulder for the establishment of peace. Those who remained at home must also carry on with that unity that the Alaoris were going to strengthen. The Alaori Battalion was going to do its part, and he hoped that those who were left behind would work towards this common end. AIAYOR’S TRIBUTE. After the Divine service the second part of the ceremony took place, the Mayor paying a farewell tribute to the battalion. He said that lie said farewell to the battalion with a feeling that thev were all our friends, and the tact that tho battalion had been trained and camped in Palmerston cansed this feeling of friendliness m every-1 one. The magnificent response to the appeal for enlistments by the Alaoris | showed that New Zealand’.s reputation would be safe in their hands and their behaviour and conduct while in camp showed that tho country s honour would be safe. He was sorry that the battalion was not staying longer in Palmerston North. As Mayor lie thanked its members for the support they had given to various public functions during their stay. These actions would ever remain as a mark ot "-hat the battalion did, but the thing that Palmerston North would cherish more than anything else would be its friendship with the battalion. Air J. Hodgens, ALP. extended best wishes to the men and trusted that when their duties were finished they would all return and that lie would have an opportunity to welcome them B. J. Jacobs (president of the Palmerston North branch of the It.S.A.) and Air J. C. Young (representing the Army, Navy and Air Force Club) congratulated the. battalion on its progress and added their best wishes. Air Kepi Royal spoke for the Maori race, and addressed the soldieis in Alaori, adding in English that he was confident that all would do then duty overseas. . Tiic Mayor then presented the pianoaccordion to Aiajor Bertrand, saying that he hoped it would give many hours of pleasure to members ot the battalion, i , r Aiajor Bertrand read a message from Lieutenant-Colonel Dittmer, and expressed regret that the commanding officer was not able to be present at the function. The message said the way the Mayor and people had lnteiestecl themselves in the battalion was wonderful; they had done all they could for the welfare of its members. Tliev had been eager all the time to meet every wish of the battalion, and he was sorry that it bad to leave Palmerston North and the many good friends it had made. Tho way the women had come forward to provide comforts and arrange entertainments tor ( the men had been greatly appreciated. In return the battalion would endeavour to perform tlic tasks which were allotted it overseas in a manner which would make the people proud that they had had some associations with it. nc expressed the battalion’s thanks lor the gift. . , •11 “We part with the regrets with which good friends part ’’ said Major Bertrand. “On behalf of the battalion I wish you good-bye and good luck. On the call of the Mayor, those present gave three cheers for the batta lion. Many then took advantage of inspecting the camp, which was thrown open to the public, and of meeting their friends there.