MOVING SCENE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 January 1940, Page 6

MOVING SCENE

BURNHAAI MEN PARADE IN CHRISTCHURCH YEARS BETWEEN TWO WARS BRIDGED. GREAT PUBLIC TRIBUTE. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The span of years between two wars was bridged today, when five hundred veterans of 1914-18 formed a guard of honour for the Burn-ham-trained section of the First Echelon of the Expeditionary Force, which marched through the city streets. It was the City’s farewell to the troops. Not for very many .years—in fact since the days of 1914-18—has Christchurch seen so impressive an occasion. More than two thousand troops marched to Cranmer Square past the saluting base, where Colonel P. H. Bell took the salute. Christchurch, it appeared, was there to a man, woman and child. Thousands lined the route from the Railway Station and back, while the crowd at Cranmer Square was estimated at well over ten thousand. After the speeches, when the City had said its official Godspeed through its representatives, the most moving moment of the day came with the singing by the huge crowd, to a massed band accompaniment, of the National Anthem and “Auld Lang Syne.” The troops marched in drill order. They looked a thoroughly businesslike army and moved steadily, holding themselves with soldierly erectness and pride. On arrival at Cranmer Square there was a roar of cheering, followed by an equally enthusiastic reception of the returned men. who took up their positions facing the troops, in front rows on the platform. In addition to Colonel Bell were Major MacFarlane, the Minister of Railways (Mr Sullivan),. the president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association (Mr A. E. Haynes), Bishop West-Watson, Bishop Brodie, members of the Legislative Council and of the House of Representatives, and the mayors of Canterbury boroughs.