"GLORIOUS DEAD"

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 28, 26 April 1927, Page 13

"GLORIOUS DEAD"

DAY OF HALLOWED MEMORIES ANZAC COMMEMORATION CANADIAN MINISTER PARTICIPATES “The Queen and I are proud to join this day with my people of Australia and New Zealand in solemn remembrance of their beloved dead, who gave their lives so gloriously on the shores and heights of Gallipoli.—George H. and I.” The King’s message to the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) was echoed in every New Zealand heart. Auckland yesterday, together with every city and village throughout the Dominion, paid reverence to what the King graciously termed “Our Glorious Dead.” To His Majesty the GovernorGeneral replied:—“Your Majesty’s gracious message has been communicated to the people of New Zealand, who appreciate very deeply the thoughts and sympathy of Your Majesty and the Queen on this day of hallowed memories. On their behalf, I beg to tender grateful thanks to Your Majesty, and a renewed assurance of their abiding loyalty.” The Hon. Ernest Lapointe, Canada’s Minister for Justice, who is en route to the Canberra celebration, laid a wreath on the Cenotaph outside the Town Hall. WREATHS ON CENOTAPH The Hon. R. F. Bollard, Minister for Internal Affairs, who escorted the Canadian Ministerial party, performed a similar act on behalf of the New Zealand Government. The Mayor of Auckland, Mr. Baildon, clad in his ceremonial robes of office, placed a wreath on the monument on behalf of his fellow-citizens. He was followed by Commander i<\ C. Bradley, H.M.S. Philomel; representing the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy. The Returned Soldiers’ Association, the Australian Imperial Services, the New Zealand Ex-Service Women’s Association, South African War Veterans, garrison officers, the Navy League, the Harbour Board, the Victoria League, Auckland Mothers’ Union, the Mayoress’ War Memorial Library Committee, and the Soldiers' Mothers' League, were among other organisations specially represented. Covered in flowers, the Cenotaph stood surrounded by thousands of citizens—ample evidence that Auckland did not forget those boys who had marched so proudly through her streets 12 long years before. “The Last Post,” sounded by five buglers from the Seddon Memorial Technical College, was the concluding note in a ceremony notable for its impressive solemnity and reverence. “GREATER THAN EVER”

“The need for Anzac Day seems to be greater than ever,” declared the Primate, Archbishop Averill, at the Town Hall gathering. “New Zealanders will not permit this day to become a mere public holiday. It is not only this Dominion’s great national day, but it is her great sacred day.” He still believed that the men who had so willingly given their lives did so for a noble purpose. They had sacrificed themselves for the suppression of tyranny and to uphold the honour and integrity of the Empire. The archbishop was followed by the Rev. D. C. Herron, M.C., former chap-

lain to the forces. On the platform, the scarlet robes of the Mavor were in marked contrast to the blue and khaki of the navy and military. Over 2,000 people, who were unable to gain admission, listened to the addresses and hymns being broadcast by a loud-sneaker. A REVERENT PILGRIMAGE Mr. Baildon led the sad pilgrimage to Waikumete cemetery, where wreaths were laid on the graves of ex-soldiers buried there. At King’s College chapel, Archbishop Averill dedicated two windows to the memory of Thomas Grey Culling, an ex-student, who lost his life in the Great War. The windows were u.u veiled by Mr. J. C. Whitney, Mr. Culling’s brother-in-law. Perhaps the most impressive of ail was the tribute of the men who came back. Over 2,000 participated in the march to the Cendtaph. They represented almost every branch of the service In the Empire. Moving off from Queen’s Wharf, and headed by various bands, the procession proceeded up Queen Street to the Town Hall, where, on arrival at the Cenotaph, each section in turn saluted the memorial to their dead comrades. Most of the ground floor at the Town Hall had beep set aside for ex-service men, who filed slowly in shortly before the commencement of the service. The parade was in charge of Lieut - IMPRESSIVE PARADE

Colonel Sinel, and Lieutenant R. S. Judson, V.C., acted as adjutant. The march was headed by the band of the Third Auckland Mounted Rifles, which was followed by a naval detachment. Other sections were led by the bands of the Auckland Artillery, First Battalion Auckland Regiment, Port of Auckland, Salvation Army, and th-. Ponsonby Boys' Brass Band. Held for the first time, a commemorative service at the Town Hall for the boys and girls of the secondary schools was a complete success. Following the National Anthem, Mr. S. Austin Carr, president of the Returned Soldiers’ Aasociation, expressed the hope that the service would become a regular feature of the Anzac Day observances. Addressing the gathering, Canon Percivai James said that the service was held to keep fresh in the minds of the nation the memory of those men who, on that day some years before, had, by incredible valour, achieved the impossible. “ Those men had fought to make the world safe for you,” declared Canon James. “ You boys and girls are to be the better men and women of the next generation; you are to be the fruits of victory fulfilling the trust of the men who have gone before.” APPEAL TO CHILDREN A lesson was read, followed by a prayer and a hymn, and then Kipling's “ Recessional ” was sung. After the service wreaths were placed on the cenotaph. A guard of honour was provided by the Mount Albert Grammar School cadets. IN THE CHURCHES

Both on Sunday and on Anzac Day appropriate services were held in many of the suburban and city churches. At St. Matthew’s Church yesterday morning there was a crowded congregation, when Canon C. H. Grant Cowen quoted the lines, “ If ye break faith with us we shall not sleep, though popples grow in Flanders’ fields.” Those men, he said, had not died in vain, and it was through them that the spirit of the League of Nations and the Washington Conference had been born. He concluded by exhorting all to do their utmost to support those working in the cause of peace. In St. Patrick’s Cathedral solemn requiem mass was said at 10 o’clock the celebrant being the Rev. Father Buckley. The interior of the cathedral was heavily draped in black, and the catafalque was covered with the New Zealand flag. At 11 o’clock a commemoration service was also held, when

an appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. Father McKeefry. “ The Cross Near Anzac Cove,” was the subject of the sermon preached by the Rev. J. Lamb Harvey in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening, when a large congregation attended. At the Jewish Synagogue yesterday morning the Rev. S. A. Goldstein preached at a special service held to commemorate the event. A united church service was also held at St. Thomas’s Hall, New Lynn, last evening and was largely attended. IN THE SUBURBS Returned soldiers and sailors paraded at Foresters’ Hall at Takapuna prior to a service of commemoration. Many wreaths were laid on Devonport’s memorial during the day. A service was held at night in the Victoria Theatre. Parents and children paid tribute at Papakura by placing wreaths on the memorial in the school grounds. Nearly 3,000 people gathered at Otahuhu. The Franklin Lodge war memorial was unveiled in the evening. Many ex-soldiers, also Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, took part in Avondale’s services. Another service was that conducted at the Titirangi memorial. A combined service was held at Onehunga. Captain Norman, of the Salvation Army, was supported by local clergy.

A similar gathering took place at New Lynn, where appropriate addresses were delivered.

OTHER CENTRES WELLINGTON Rev. E. R. Weeks conducted the impressive service at the Cenotaph. Canon Fielden Taylor and Rev. H. E. K. Fry spoke in the Town Hall before an immense gathering. A sacred concert was held in the Town Hall at night. CHRISTCHURCH The Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, paraded with returned men. Nearly 4,000 territorials were on parade, also 400 returned men, among whom Major Coates, M.C., to give the Prime Minister his war-time title, walked. Over 9,000 people attended the service in King Edward barracks. DUNEDIN Heavy rain interfered with the celebration of Anzac Day. Notwithstanding, several thousand people attended a service in the Drill Hall. A service at the soldiers’ memorial was also well attended. HAMILTON Perfect weather prevailed. The mayor, Mr. J. R. Fow, addressed large gatherings, and the Bishop of Waikato, Dr. Cherrington, spoke at the Town Hall service. Two bands were in attendance. WHANGAREI A record attendance took place at Whangarei. The mayor, Mr. J. E. Holmes, made an impressive appeal for care for the living victims of the war. Major-General Young, O.C. New Zealand Forces, and Colonel-Com-mandant Potter, Northern Command, also attended. PUKEKOHE At Pukekohe the service was held in the Soldiers’ Memorial Park. The mayor, Mr. J. Routley, presided. Clergy of various denominations gave addresses.