IN THE SUBURBS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 97, 26 April 1930, Page 10

IN THE SUBURBS.

OPEN-AIR CEREMONIES. f "

PARADES AND PROCESSIONS.

• LARGE PUBLIC ATTENDANCES.

Well-attended services were held at Devonport, Otahuhu, Northcote, Birkenhead, Takapuna, Avondale, Onehunga, Papatoetoe, Manurewa, Albany, New Lynn, Howick (in which Pakuranga combined), Mount Albert, Titirangi, Takapuna, Ellerslie, Epsom, Balmoral and Porisonby. In several instances, notably at Onehunga, Takapuna, Papatoetoe, Devonport and Birkenhead, the ceremony was mainly in the open air, and in some cases there were parades and processions to the local memorials. AVONDALE. Speaking at the Anzac service held at Avondale the Rev. C. B. Jordan said the British world regarded the day as one for refreshing its memory of the fallen soldiers, but that would scarcely justify the Christian's church's part in the celebrations. To him Anzac Day was chicfly useful in impressing on our minds once again the unspeakable horrors of war and the world's criminal folly in having permitted it to go on so long. As Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald had said, it would •be the Christian churches whose support of the efforts for world peace would be strongest and best. The nations must away with suspicion and cultivate kindness and courtesy. The world must receive into its inner life the love of God as manifested in the Cross of Christ.

NORTHCOTE. Northcote's commemorative service was held in the Palais Theatre, the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Greenslade) presiding.' The prayer of remembrance was said by the Rev. F. W. Wilkes (Anglican), the Scripture lesson was read by the Rev. F. A. Thompson (Presbyterian), and the closing prayer and benediction were said by the Eev. W. W. Avery (Methodist). Addresses were given by the Rev.- William Gilmour, of the Edendale Presbyterian Church, and by Sir George Richardson. Combined choirs of the churches assisted with the music. BIRKENHEAD. The open-air service at Birkenhead was held on the Civic Reserve, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. McPhail) presiding. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. E. T. Olds and Major H. S. Whiteliorn. The officiating ministers were the Rev. W. W. Avery (Methodist), the Rev. J. C. McCracken (Presbyterian) and the Rev. P. C. Davis (Anglican). The combined church choirs under Mr. .T. Wright and the Birkenhead J3and under Lieut. J. Lighton took part. PAPATOETOE. At a united service held in the Papatoetoe Town Hall Mr. T. R. Smytheman, chairman of the Town Board, presided. The Papatoetoe Town Band played the accompaniment to the hymns and afterwards headed the procession from the hall to the school. The Rev. T. H. C. Partridge, vicar of St. George's, delivered the address, and the Rev. T. H. Roseveare, of St. John's Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. A. W. Silvester, of the Methodist Church, assisted in the service. Brigadier S. J. E. Closey was in chargc of the procession to the memorial gates at the entrance to the school grounds. ONEHUNGA. A parade was held in the morning by the Boy Scouts prior to a service in the Foresters' Theatre, Onehunga. The Mayor, Mr. E. Morton, presided, and the address was delivered by the Rev. J. Ings. Scripture lessons were read by the Rev. D. D. Scott (Presbyterian) and Commandant Glanville, of the Salvation Army. At the conclusion of the service the audience accompanied the' Mayor to the soldiers' war memorial at Jellicoe Park, and he and others laid wreaths upon it.

DEVONPORT. Devonport citizens commemorated Anzac Day by two services yesterday. In the morning a large assembly gathered at the Memorial Statue In Marine Square, where a short service was held. The Mayor, Mr. E. Aldridge, presided, and the Revs. Lawson Marsh and J. H. Haslam assisted. Led by the Devonport Un/ted and Salvation Army bands those present joined in well-known hymns. On behalf 'of the borough the Mayor laid a memorial wreath on the statue, which was covered with floral offerings. In the evening the Victoria Theatre was filled. Addresses were delivered by the Mayor on "The Magic of Great Days," and by the Rev. Cannell Hoskin on "The Hope of World Friendship." Mr. C. Wood led the orchestra, and musical items were contributed by Messrs. H. J. Richards, E. Thomas and G. Sinton. The Revs. L. Marsh, J. H. Haslam, H. B. Wingfield and Commander Sawyer also participated in the service, at the conclusion of which the "Last Post" and the "Reveille" were sounded by Sergeant-Major T. S. Power, OTHER GATHERINGS. A Titirangi, the Rev. W. P. Rankin conducted a memorial service in the afternoon at the Soldiers' Memorial. A large number of wreaths was'laid at" the foot of the monument. A United service was held in the Public Hall, Howick, for the residents of that place and Pakuranga. There was a good gathering, which was presided over by the chairman of the Town Board, Mr. J. Crawford. At New Lynn, a well attended service was (held in the morning at the Delta Theatre, when the Rev. H. R. Jocks presided. Addresses were given, 'by the Rev. A. V. Whiting and the Rev. W. P. Rankin. The Rev. H. Knowles Kcmpton presided at a service held in Avonaale Town Hall, at which an address was given by the Rev. C. B. Jordan. At Otahuhu a procession was held and wreaths were laid at the foot of the War Memorial. A service was held at Foresters' Hall, Takapuna. The Mayor, Mr. J. W. Williamson, presided, and an address was given by the Rev. H. L. Richards. At the Takapuna Grammar School the boys were addressed by Sir George Fowlds.