ANZAC DAY CELEBRATION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 269, 24 April 1917, Page 3

ANZAC DAY CELEBRATION.

Gathering at Pukekohe.

There was a distinctly patiiot ; c air in the Premi r Hall last evening, when a large gathering assembled in commemoration of the anniversary of Anzac Day. Mr H. Dell, as Presi dent of the Chamber of Commerce, who convened the meeting, presided and the proceedings- opened with the hearty singing of the National Anthem. After this, a spectacular tableau was produced in which the Boy and Girl Scouts and others appropriately dressed representing the Army and Navy were arranged typically around a camp fire, Red Cross nurses also being seen bandaging wounded " boys." This scene with the aid of the limelight had a distinctly pleasing effect All the " artistes " then sing " Keep the Homo Fires Burning,'' the audience joining in the chorus. Miss Linda Perkins reatly played the Allies March, following which Miss Ivy Beniman, dressed in khaki uniform, sang "The Soldier" and received loud applause. Before the stage company dispersed, Mr Dell proposed that a hearty vote of thanks should be given to Miss Williams for organising the entertainment and to the performers and this was carried by acclamation.

Mr J. Flanagan, Chairman of the Franklin County Council, then proposed the following resolution " that on this, the second anniversary of Anzac Dny, this meeting of citizens records it's inflexible determination to continue to a victorious end the struggle in maintenance of those ideals of libery and justice which are the common and sacred cause of the Allies." In doing so the speaker referred to the stupendous war in which the whole Empire was_ ongaged. He recalled the sacrifices made at Gallipoli two years ago and said it was only fitting that they should celebrate the njble deeds done by " the boys " who had added glory to their name in every clime. Capt. Elford, of the Salvation Army, in seconding the resolution said he regarded it «n honour _to do so, the Salvation Army having 80,000 of its members fighting in the trenches. Vk-iting the backblocks as he did he spoke that night on behalf of those resiling there and he had been struck by the inti.u-.ely loya l spirit that was in evidence in the back-blocks (applause). The resolution having been carried amid the singing of the National Anthem, Mr J. T. Stembridge moved a licartv voto of that'ks to Mr Flanagan for his address and this was unanimously adopted.