ANZAC DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1916, Page 3

ANZAC DAY.

CELEBRATED BY SCHOOL CHILDREN. ADDRESS BY CAPTAIN lIARTXEU, The public school children of Jscw Plymouth gathered in strong force at the Good Templar Hall on Thursday afternoon to celebrate, in a quiet and fitting manner, the anniversary of the landing of the "Anzacs" on Gall'ipoli (Peninsula—twelve months ago next Tuesday. The 'Mayor (Mr. C. 11. Burgess" presided. The proceedings opened with the National Anthem, which was lustily sung by the children, and then the Mayor briefly addressed the gathering, and introduced Captain Hartnell, wiio served in the- Gallipoli campaign. Speaking' to the children, Captain Hartnell explained the meaning of the word "Anzae," which was provided by the first letters of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. As a result of the deeds of the Australasian forces this word had become famous throughout the world. He -went on to refer to the landing, saying how the men were conveyed from the warships in barges and how they rushed ashore, each carrying three days' rations and 200 rounds of ammunition. Very few orders were .given;.very few were' needed. It was the first time these men had been'in action, and they were determined to make good. Xo quarter was given, and trench after trench was taken. But they J were unable to hold all the country they over-ran, and except in one particular place they held no more land at the time of the evacuation than they held 21 'hours after the first landing.' Captain Hartnell described in a very interesting manner the life in the trenches, and said the greatest nightmare was sickness. At the time lie left the' peninsula about 700 men were leaving every week, and two-thirds of these were eases of sickness. H e referred in eulogistic terms to the work of the New Zealand ambulance men. The speaker then described the landing at Suvla Bay, and touched on the gallantry shown by the Wellington Battalion at Chunuk Bair. Captain Hartnell's story was listened to with great interest, and at the conclusion lie received a hearty vote of thanks. The children then sang "Tipperary," and the gathering dispersed.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR TUESDAY.

GATHERING AT THEATRE' ROYAL.

Anzac Day will be fittingly commoninwirated by the public on Tuesday, when a half-holiday will he observed'from 1 p.m. At 2.30 p.m. a public service will be held in the Theatre Royal, at which returned wounded and invalided heroes from the peninsula will be present, whilst veterans, cadets, etc.. and the Citizens' Band will also parade. Special hymns and psalms will be sung, the National Anthem will bo rendered, and the proceedings will conclude with "The Last Post" by Bugler Walker. During the ftiternoon the Minister of Defence (the Hon. J, Allen) will address the gathering, while the Rev. A. B. Chappell will also speak.

In the evening a patriotic concert arranged by the Mayoress, will be held in the Theatre Royal. A splendid programme has been arranged, and a brief address will be given by the Minister of Defence. Permission has been received for the raffle for Mrs. McCleland's opal and.diamond ring to be drawn at the conceit. A very handsome flag will be sold by public auction. The material has been generously provided by Mr. W. Blair, of Dawson street, and the flag—a New Zealand ensign—has been made by Mcsdames Crooke, Hutton and Hugh Baity and Miss J. Blair. Worked in gold on the Hag is the inscription, very attractively designed by Mr. Hutton, "Anzac, April 25, 1015." All the proceeds from the concert will go towards providing a Soldiers' Club in New Plymouth.