ANZAC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 96, 26 April 1933, Page 9

ANZAC.

DAY OF MEMORY. 18TH ANNIVERSARY. AUCKLAND, OBSERVANCES. SCENE -AT THE CENOTAPH. .:.••,■ Auckland's commemoration , of the eighteenth anniversary of the historic landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Anzac Cove, was in keeping with the spirit of the day. To the thousands of citizens who reverently assembled •. at the . Cenotaph in front of the War Memorial Museum, the day was one of sacred remembrance. The city paid tribute to its fallen in impressive ceremonies, the keynote of which was sincerity. ■"• . ' . With the Cenotaph as the centre of ■the observance, representative groups of the various arms of the services, flanked by the next-of-kin, formed an inspiring square as the memorial service proceeded. The assemblage of the public was one of'the largest for many years. From the steps of the Museum, the gleaming white of tho courtyard contrasted with- the colour of wreaths laid at the base of the Cenotaph, from the sides of which fluttered the national flags. Around all were a sea of faces, serried lines of parked motor cars, the green background of the Domain, and then the blue waters of the Waitemata beyond. Impressive Parade. With arms reserved, a guard of Legion of Frontiersmen was mounted about the Cenotaph, while the Municipal Band and the St. Andrew's Pipe Band played music until the advance guard of the main parade, a large party of secondary school cadets, arrived. Naval detachments halted below the court. The next to arrive were the nurses and ex-service women, South African War Veterans, men of the Imperial Australian and Canadian Forces and then the units of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. A new-departure this year was the indication of the various units represented by coloured standards carried by the leader or each section. The civilian •bearers of official wreaths faced the Cenotaph oh the seaward side, representatives of the Navy, Army and Air Force standing on the western side. Various bands accompanied' the parade, an excellent description of which was given through the loud speakers mounted at convenient points among the thousands gathered. The"service commenced with the singing of the National Anthem followed by ih& "Old 'Hundred." The sounding of the "Last Post"" saw< the flags on the Cenotaph slowly lowered: by uniformed representatives uof the Royal Navy, the Army,: the Air Force, Imperial Army, Canadian: Forces, Australian and New Zealand^Expeditionary Forces, and also by the Royal Naval Reserve and Mercantile Marine representatives. The Concourse then sang "Abide With Me." Trumpeters from the Auckland Grammar School sounded the "Reveille"; and the flags were hoisted again as the last notes rang out. Floral Tributes. Wreaths were placed on the Cenotaph base : 'bn behalf of the Government, by Mr. W. P. Ehdean, M.P. for Parnell; by the Canadian Trade Commissioner, Mr. CM. Croft, on behalf of his Government; by the Mayor,' .Mr., G. W: Hutchison, r for the citizens; by M. Edouard Joubert and Mr. A. M- Ferguson, Consuls for France and Belgium respectively, for the Consular Corps; by Major-General Sir George Richardson, for the Returned Soldiers' Association; and by the Rev. Dr. J. T. Buxton, representing the Roman Catholic Diocese. Wreaths for the Navy, military forces and Air Force were laid by Commander E. L. Berthon, Colonel J. E. Duigan and Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt respectively. Organisations of all kinds and private people added their tributes ,and a verse of the National Anthem closed the ceremony. Message From King. The following cablegram was yesterday received from His Majesty the King:"On Anzac Day the Queen and I join my people in New Zealand in commemoration of the glorious aeaa. GEORGE, R. 1." The following reply was dispatched by the Hon. Sir Michael Myers, the Administrator:— . "Yo*r Majesty's people in New Zealand deeply appreciate the gracious message and "the knowledge that the thoughts of Your Majesty and the Queen are associated with them in their commemorative services on Anzac Day." i