ARMISTICE DAY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21938, 12 November 1936, Page 14

ARMISTICE DAY

OBSERVANCE IN THE CITY I , -r-r- -i I CEREMONY IN CATHEDRAL/ ! SQUARE J i _ 1 ! None of the meaning of Armistice Day was lacking in its observance in Christchurch yesterday. Eighteen years ago the cessation of hostilities in the Great War made the observance possible, but the years since then have not brought forgetfulness of sacrifices, nor weakened that profound thankfulness, mingled with pride, which came to the people when they knew that the war had ended. That much was to be seeh yesterday in the homage of the citizens of Christchurch. In the Square, facing the western doors of the Cathedral, about 2000 citizens gathered, to stand silently, the men with bared heads, when the two minutes’ silence commenced at 11 a.m. Flags were lowered to half-mast, and traffic stopped, the quiet of the city being broken only by occasional sounds in the distance. The simple service of commemoration was conducted by Dean Julius. The official party outside the western portal of the Cathedral included the Mayor (Mr J. W. Beanland), the Town Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville), LieutenantColonel S. C. P. Nicholls, and Major W. I. K. Jennings (representing the Southern Command), Mr B. O. Priddis (president of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association). and members of the executive of the association, and the Rev. F. R. Rawle and Canon H. O. T. Hanby. The Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. Dr. Campbell West-Watson) was unable to return from the West Coast in time for the service. Before the silence, prayers for the dead and for the bereaved were said by Dean Julius. The fire brigade’s siren marked the conclusion of the two minutes’ silence, and then came “Last Post” and “Reveille” sounded by buglers from the Christchurch West High School band, with a disabled returned soldier, Mr C. Smith, leading them. A blessing by Dean Julius concluded the ceremony, and flags were run up to masthead and the crowd dispersed. After this ceremony a brief service was held in the side chapel of the Cathedral. This service was conducted by Mr Rawle. REVERENT OBSERVANCE AT AUCKLAND SERVICE AT THE CENOTAPH nr (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, November 11. Not in 18 years has there .been a more reverent Armistice Day observance in Auckland than to-day. The firing of a gun at Albert Park and the sounding of “Last Post” at six intersections of the city streets hushed the city immediately. - Groups of people anticipating the event stood at the intersections where the buglers were stationed. There was not a movement until the gun smnalisfcd the end of the two minutes’ silence.

The sunshine gleaming on the cenotaph made an appropriate setting at the Auckland Domain. The customary short service was attended by between 200 and 300 people. Seventy secondary and primary schools were represented. A large number of beautiful wreaths were laid at the base of the cenotaph by the Mayor (Mr Ernest Davis) and representatives of various organisations.

An impressive ceremony included a brief address to the children by Sir George Richardson. There was a reverent silence also on the waterfront. Ships’ flags were at- half-mast. On the deck of the Mataroa Captain Mclntosh,, his officers, and 90 members of the crew assembled before the silence and a prayer was read by the Rev. H. K. Vickery, chaplain to the Flying Angel Mission.

WELLINGTON OBSERVANCE

(press association telegram.)

WELLINGTON, November 11

The booming of a gun across the harbour at 11 o’clock this morning signalled the start of the two minutes’ silence. It was heard at the Wellington Citizens’ War Memorial, where approximately 200 returned soldiers from all parts of the Wellington district, and several hundred citizens had gathered. Shortly before 11 a.m. Lieu-tenant-Colonel A. Cowles, V.D., president of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association, placed a wreath befgre the door of the shrine. The New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association was represented by Mr S. J. Harrison (Dominion secretary) and Mr A. Gorton (assistant secretary), the South African War Veterans’ Association by Mr J. I. Goldsmith, and the permanent forces by Major-General Sir William Sinclair Burgess (general officer commanding).