ANZAC SERVICE

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 174, 26 April 1939, Page 2

ANZAC SERVICE

MARCH TO MEMORIAL MANY WREATHS PLACED A tribute to the fallen was paid in Opotild yesterday when Returned Soldiers, Territorials, High School Cadets, and Girl Guides took part in the inarch to the Memorial and placed wreaths at the foot of the memorial. A large number of wreaths from relatives of fallen soldiers, and from other organisations '-'were also placed on the memorial. The procession was led by a Boy Scout drummyr. The Returned Soldiers were led by the president, Mr. B. J. Baigent., Capt. C. D. Brown was in command of the Territorials, assisted by Lieut, AlacKay (Infantry), and Lieut. Santon (Mounted Rifles). At the memorial a guard of territorials was posted, and after wreaths had been plced, the Lost Post was soundedl by Mr. J. Parkinson.

The procession then marched to the Regent Ha'll where Mr. J. B. Gow acted as chairman at the service, which was very well attended. On the platform with Mr. Gow, were the Mayor, Mr. G. S. Moody ; the County- Council chairman, Mr. W. A. Gault; Rev. A. F. Attwood, Rev. C. G. Salt, Capt. J. Kirkpatrick and Rev. Hemi Nikora. Mr. H. Rowland conducted the combined choir, and Mr. J. Puryer was the organist. After the .singing of the hymn, “All People that on Earth do Dwell,” Mr. Gow addressed' the gathering, stating that the purpose of the. service was to acknowledge God. and pray that the lessons learned may not be lost. Rev. C. G. Salt led the gathering in prayer, after which Mrs. L. D. Duff sang “Largo in G”. The scripture reading was taken by Rev. A. F. Attwood. “O God Our Help in Ages Past,” was sung by the gathering after which a collection was taken in aid of Returned Soldiers, members of the Avondale Mental Hospital. The combined choirs sang the anthem “What are These”. The address was given by Capt. J.' Kirkpatrick. After the sounding of the “Last Post” by Mr. J. Parkinson, the gathering observed a few minutes silent prayer. The liymii “Recessional” was sung and the Benediction pronounced by Rev. Salt. The singing of the National Ant-hem brought the service to a close.