ANZAC DAY

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 26, 27 April 1938, Page 3

ANZAC DAY

■ ■ ■; • vC . :• .. . ", OPOTiKI MEMORIAL SERVICE ; . V; ' LAYING OF WREATHS The annual" Anzac Memorial Service was held in the Regent Theatre on M'cnday afternoon, there again being a fairly good attendanceof the public and Returned Soldiers. Prior to the service, the Returned , Soldiers, with the High School Cadets, fell in the R.S.A. Club-room. Captain C. J. Hollard was in charge of the parade, which marched to th e Memorial, where many of the public had gathered. The parade formed up in front- of the Memorial, where the Returned Men placed the big wreath bearing, the word “Comrades” at the- foot of the Memorial. Numerous other wreaths were also placed on the Memorial. “The Last Post” was sounded by Air. J. Parkinson, and the parade then marched to the theatre for the service. Mr. j. B. Gow presided over the gathering, and on the platform with him were representatives of the local bodies, ministers of religion, and the R. S.A. The combined choir was seated at the back 0 f the stage. Proceedings opened with a voluntary by the organist, Mrs. A. H. Hilford. Then followed the hymn “All People That On Eiarth Do Dwell”. M(r. J. B. Gow then spoke brieflyi and referred to the rapidity with which the years had gone by. They had gathered together to commemorate the great and tragic memory of those who had given their lives for them in the Great War. They had not gathered together to commemorate the Anzac troops out that of the men. who gave their lives for liberty. He prayed the Empire would never he deficient in that qualify manifested by the British troops but that the would follow after that quality.

A prayer was offered by Rev. AY. H. AYilson and then Alis s Sampson rendered a solo. Rev. C. G. G. Salt read from the Scriptures and this was followed by the singing of the hymn “0 God Our Help in Ages Past”. A collection, was taken up to defray expenses. The. anthem “AY hat Are These’’ was then rendered by the Combined Choir.

The adless was given bv Rev. A. C. Hampton, who, said it was not a very easy thing for him to give the address that afternoon. Twenty years after the declaration of peace they had met to do honour to those who laid down their fives for liberty. A one of tho.se who went to the war knew what they were going into. In the hour of testing they proved their worth. They stood between the enemy —their country and homes —in defence. He asked for consideration to those who were blinded and mutilated in the Great War. The duration of the war was a hard time and the people had been drawn together in fellowship. Although the young people would not realise it. 900,000 men of the Umpire had given their lives. He referred to the spirit of fellowship that existed a~ mong the troops —and comradeship which they called the Ansrac spirit. Ho hoped that spirit would lay hold on every man and woman in the lf.nipire. He reminded them they were again living in times of distress and uncertainty. On every big parade during the war the men had been told t 0 lie strong and that they would win the war and abolish war forever. As to that lio would leave it to his healers. {At the conclusion of the address the Last Post was again sounded by Ah-. J. Parkinson, followed by a few moments of silent prayer. Ihe h,\mit “Recessional” was sung and the Benediction pronounced. The service was concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.

The audience then remained until the parade marched out of the theatre.