ANZAC DAY OBSERVANCES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 956, 26 April 1930, Page 9

ANZAC DAY OBSERVANCES

Impressive Ceremony at Cenotaph

NEAR tlie crest of a hill sweeping down to the City and the sea, Aucklanders assembled yesterday for the final ceremonial of a day of solemn remembrance. In -their thousands they lined an immense, hollow square, formed at the Cenotaph by ranks of uniformed men, and paid homage to the Anzac dead.

A more beautiful setting than that provided by the Memorial building, the Court of Honour at its feet, and the bush and gardens beyond could not have been wished for. And tlie atmosphere of permanency surrounding tlie dedicated place to which an afternoon pilgrimage had been made, invested tlie occasion with a deep impressiveness.

The parade, probably the largest held on Anzac Day for many yefcrs, was a fitting climax to the services in the city. The arrangements were carried out with a dignified smoothness emphasising the spiritual meaning of the occasion. Long before 3 o'clock, the hour at which the ceremony at the Cenotaph was timed to begin, crowds streamed into the Domain from every entrance. Soon the slope below the Cenotaph was black with people, vantage points at the memorial building were packed, and watchers were sprinkled on every open space from the sports ground to the fringe of the bush. Maori had joined pakeha in paying homage to men who died nobly 15 years ago. Groups of native visitors mingled with the crowds which had formed a great, hollow square about the Cenotaph and now stood in silence. The men of the services marched to their places, drawing up in long lines. Naval detachments, territorials and cadets were at the lower end of the square and, on the flanks, were the unifoi-med ex-servicemen—kilted Highlanders, and naval representatives in their ranks. The honour of mounting the guard liad been given to the Legion of Frontiersmen and a trooper with arms reversed and head bowed stood at each corner of the Cenotaph. Shortly before the playing of the National Anthem and the hymn “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” a motor-car filled with permanently disabled veterans drew up on a reserved space above the Cenotaph. Sheltered from the keen sea breeze they watched the mustering of their more fortunate ex-eomrades-in-arms. In silence, and with the utmost simplicity of procedure, the wreaths were laid at the foot of the Cenotaph, tribute following tribute until the symbolic tomb seemed to be bedded in a bank of flowers. Representatives of Governments, regiments, soldiers’ associations, and Auckland public bodies and private' institutions stepped quietly forward with their floral tributes; then way was made for the bearers of wreaths from private families. Infinitely pathetic were many of these smaller offerings, but the humblest wreath blended with the lovely colour of the rest and the spirit of remembrance linked all who stood before the Cenotaph in a common bond of reverence. Again the band played softly, the strains of “Hear My Prayer” stealing across the Court of Honour as the last wreath was laid iu position. The hymn “Abide With Me” was sung aud cadet buglers sounded “The Last Post,” following it with the hopeful, inspiring call of the “Reveille.” The National Anthem was played, bringing the ceremony to a close. For those who were unable to see—and there were many, for a close line of troops hid the Court of Honour from all but a comparative few —the ceremony was described through loudspeakers. The final march-past was led by Brigadier R. PI. Potter and the Hon. G. W. Forbes representing the Government.