ANZAC CELEBRATIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 15, 20 April 1916, Page 6

ANZAC CELEBRATIONS.

A DAY AT THE SCHOOL. A large number of residents assembled at the Stratford School Grounds this morning to witness the children celebrate Anzac Day. Members of ; the School Committee, the Chairman and two members of the 1 aranaki Education Board were also present. The pupils to the number of six hundred and ten, were assembled on the playground adjoining Cloton Road and there went through various | marches, drill and physical exei vises. Throe hundred and fifty children oi the primary school wore massed to form the word “Anzac.” The peiformers, who wore provided with led, white and blue flags, went through a series of exercises. Exhibitions of (lag work, Swedish drill and physical drill wore also given.

The exercises were given without a hitch, which reflects great credit on the headmaster and staff, who were, responsible for the display. Mr Dyson, who trained the children lor the massed drill and who was assisted in the organising of the Anzac Day display by Misses Pearce and Panps, deserves great credit for the high standard of proficiency attained. Prior to the speechifying, the assemblage sang the National Anthem and “Rule Britannia,” to the accompaniment of a piano (Miss Reevd), and two violins (Misses Stacia Fitzgerald and Miss McAllister). Mr J. W. McMillan (chairman of the School Committee) briefly introduced the speakers, Mr ft. Trimble (chairman of the Taranaki Education Board) and Messrs R. Masters and F. Mackay (members of the Board). Mr McMillan also congratulated the teachers and the children on the fine performance which had been given. Mr Trimble said the nation had exhausted all means of maintaining peace before going to war. We would nob cease now until our enemies were defeated, and we could make terms which would mean peace for a large number of years. 'Jt was found necessary to send an army to Gallipoli with the object of taking the peninsula and ultimately Constantinople. That was a year ago, and the army which: war, sent ;ContMped ; Zealand soldiers and a number, of those, boys wqf’OKfid pupils of the Stratford School. 1. landing was only affected with very great difficulty, and one A J asTfipt ; to- loosed sight of i it.' Again some people took more credit than they were entitled to. -The Britishers should not be forgotten. They were sent to a more difficult position-to land than the Australians and New Zealanders. Unfortunately the troops had to be withdrawn, as the expedition was not a success from a military standpoint. It was not possible to say if the Gallipoli campaign was right, and it would be impossible to tell till after the conclusion of the war. It was quite right that they should meet to celebrate Anzac Day and decide whether they could draw any lesson from the landing on that day. The main lesson they could draw was Lo always to endeavour to do one’s very boß.|. They Should work to the best of their ability 'if it was their duty, even if they did not believe in it. If they were fighting a just cause and if they ‘failed occasionally. f f.b*v would littinately find the cud sought. (Applause). Mr Masters congratulated the teachers on their excellent work in training the pupils for the performance given. He said it reflected great credit, for the instructors must have spent a great deal of time and puli cuts training the children. ' Their efforts were appreciated by all present. Sir Edward Grey had e‘ hansted all efforts to maintain peace before going to war, but now then was war, it would not be concluded until a favorable peace to England was obtained. Anzac Day was declared in commenoration of the men who went away to fight for ns. It was not a day for rejoicing but to honor the dead and congratulate'the men who were fighting. Many of the men had paid, the supreme sacrifice and he was sure everybody appreciated their efforts in lighting on our behalf. The fighting at the peninsula was in accord with the highest traditions of the British Army and everybody was proud of all who went a way from Nesv Zealand, At Clnmuk Bair the men gained the ridge trench by trench only to be driven back by the lack of reinforcements. Everybody was proud of those soldiers. Man' of the boys who went away would not return and he thought the present was a suitable occasion on which to suggest the erection of a bn Table tablet in their memory. He was sure they would have the' support of all the people of the town. The women of the Empire had done noble work. The nurses had saved thousands of lives and had, in some cases, paid the penalty with their own lives, Mr Masters mentioned the loss of the Marquette. The women of New Zealand had also done noble work in connection with the war. They should not forgot the great work done by | the Brciish Navy, for while good work was done by the Army it would have been useless if it had not been for the Navy. The men would not have been able to land on Gallipoli and the trade routes would have been closed against us. He Imped they would keep Anzac Day for all time. (Cheers).

Mr Mack ay in a very brief address, congratulated the scholars on their drill. He said he was sure the lads before him would be as worthy of respect and as hei’oic as the hoys who acre away lighting. tApnlnnse).

tii<’ conclusion of fc.hr* stioeches the children formed into procession mid

headed by the school drum and fife band marched through the town via Juliet Street, Regan Street, and Broadway to the school, where they wore dismissed, for the Easter Jiolidavs.