WAR MEMORIALS UNVEILED

Ceremony at Gate Pa Church

Yesterday, in spite of most boisterous and inclement weather the Memorial Church on the site of the old historic Ga+e Pa.^was filled to its utmost capacity with a congregation from the surrounding neighbourhood and including several returned soldiers, gatherl ed together to take part in the service for the dedication and unveiling of two memorial tablets , erected in honour of young soldiers from Gate Pa district who laid down their lives in the Great War, at the' call of duty and honour. • These tablets are affixed tp the east wall of the nave, on the southern side of the chancel arch, a similar position on the northern side being held by the historic tablet recording similar sacrifice by men of this district 51 years ago«-the nine . men of the Tauranga and Bay of Plenty Volunteer' Cavalry who fell at Opepe, near Lake Taupo, on 7th June. 1869. By curious coincidence the number commemorated on the new tablet erected by the people of the Gate Pa district, is also nine, .namely, Thomas Clemson, Herbert Mansel, William McKinlay, Wensley Kirk, John Grant, John Kerr, A. Fenton, William Reeve and R. Wall. The tablet is delicately veined St. Ann* marble with scroll .border in red and black, mounted .on a dark wood panel. Below it is a brass tablet to the memory of Herbert ("Bert") Mansel, son of Mr and Mrs C. Mansel and erected by them. The service, evensong, which took place at 3 pm., was conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon Tuke, and commenced with the singingof the grand old hymn Oh God, our Help in Ages Past,' Mrs Southey accompanying on the organ. The tablets, which were draped with a Union Jack, were unveiled just before the sermon, by Mr Harrison, a returned soldier and comrade of some of those whos- names are recorded on the tablet. The Archdeacon gave an impressive address, taking two passages from Holy Scripture as expressive of his theme, namely, I Is it nothing to you, all ye who pass by?" and "Greater Love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend." The preacher stressed that it was ! not enough that we who were preserved here in peare and quietness by the action of those who went forth to fight, should commemorate the names of those who fell, but we must see to it that we carry on the ideals of right, "liberty and honour for which they fought and fell, and ourselves live lives ot duty and sacrifice, worthy of those brave men now commemorated, who "laid down their lives for their friends."

The high note of human suffer ing and sacrifice, illuminated by Christian faith and hope, was fittingly emphasised by the congregation singing, kneeling, just before the final benediction, the beautiful hymn, "Abide with Me," and many eyes were moist 'ere i the clobing verse was reached : — ' Hold Thou Thy Cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom, and I J point me to the skies ; Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee ; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me." The Benediction, followed by the singing of the first verse of the National An thorn, brought a memorable service to a conclusion.