OTHER SERVICES

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27642, 26 April 1955, Page 14

OTHER SERVICES

SALVATION ARMY

It might well be. as they looked round the world today and noted all its distressing circumstances, that a question might rise in the minds of his listeners, said Captain James Richards, chaplain to the forces, speaking at an Anzac commemoration service at the Salvation Army Citadel last evening. Must they say that their sons and brothers, lost in war, had been sacrificed in vain. The answer, said Captain Richards, was a resounding “No” —a resounding “No” of eternal courage and uncompromising faith in God.

In the world of the atom and hydrogen bomb an American journal had recently reported that a new freedom would have to be added to the list of freedoms—freedom from the fear of extermination. There was only One to Whom they could turn for the answer—that was to Christ.

A feature of the service was the laying of wreaths by young members of the Life Saving Guards on a white cenotaph set up in front of the citadel. As the wreaths were laid, two members of the Legion of Frontiersmen stood silently by on guard. Lights were then extinguished and the cenotaph illuminated while “Last Post” was sounded by Bandsman M. Borland, a prayer was said by Bandsman K. Bridge, and “Reveille” sounded. Mr R. J. Cornwall, for the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association, expressed sympathy to the kin and friends of the fallen, and paid a tribute to their memory.

The divisional commander, Senior Captain T. McKenzie led in prayer: and Major Hilton Lord presided; Squadron Quartermaster E. H. Harris (Legion of Frontiersmen) read the lesson. Selections were played by the Citadel Band and sung by the Citadel Songsters, and during the offertory Mrs Stanton (pianist) and Mr Edwin Danholt (violinist) played. Members of the St. John Ambulance attended the service.

PAPANUI “We stand today free, but we stand in the shoes of dead men,” said the Rev. V. R. Jamieson in his address to a big congregation at a citizens’ Anzac service in the Papanui Returned Services’ Association Hall. “There is a vast multitude upwept, unhonoured and unsung.” The chairman of the service was the Rev. W. T. Blight, who gave a scripture reading and pronounced the Benediction. Canon H. M. Cocks read the prayer and the poem “For The Fallen” was recited by Mr R. Southern. “Last Post” and “Reveille” were sounded by buglers of the Papanui High School Silver Band, which attended with units of the school cadet battalion. The Christchurch Municipal Band accompanied the singing. RICCARTON A citizens’ service organised by the Riccarton Borough Council was held at the Memorial Gates of the Wharenui School in Matipo street. Among the 300 persons who attended an impressive open-air service, which was preceded by a parade, were returned servicemen and women, representatives of the Armed Services, Riccarton Borough councillors, scouts and cubs of the Riccartpn Boy Scout Troop, cadets, and nursing aids of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, and children of the Wharenui School. The chairman of the service was the Mayor of Riccarton (Mr E. J. Bradshaw). The prayer was given by the Rev. F. L. Allen. The Rev. G. R. Harris read the lesson and the address was Sven by the Rev. R. J. GTiffiths. Mr lien pronounced the Benediction Mr E. W. H. Prebble recited Laurence Binyon’s poem “For the Fallen.” Music was supplied by the Woolston Brass Band, which led the parade from the council chambers. AKAROA About 200 persons attended the Anzac Day service at the war memorial at Akaroa. The Mayor, Mr W. A. Newton, presided, and the service was conducted by the Rey. J. F. Feron. The speaker was Mr S. F. B. Simpson.

NEW BRIGHTON The Roxy Theatre was not big enough to hold all those who wished to take part in the observance at New Brighton. Before the service the New Brighton Silver «Band led a parade from the New Brighton Returned Services’ Association rooms. A feature of the parade, and an innovation this year was the appearance of a smart detachment of sea cadets. The service was presided over by the Deputy-Major of Christchurch (Mr G. Manning). The member of Parliament for-Avon (Mr J. Mathison) and Mrs Mathison, and the Town Clerk (Mr H. S. Feast) were also present. The address was given by the Rev. D. C. Spencer. The Rev. E. N. Goring read a prayer and Captain J. Barclay a scriptural passage. The Rev. J. E. Ellis pronounced the Benediction. After the service wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph. WOOLSTON The memorial rose garden in the grounds of St. John’s Anglican Church was the place of congregation for those who attended an Anzac service in Woolston. The service was preceded by a parade of former servicemen from the Woolston Returned Services’ Association Hall, where wreaths were laid. The parade was led by the Christchurch Highland Pipe Band. The service, which was well attended, was conducted by the Rev. H. F. Thomson. The Rev. W. A. Chambers read a scriptural passage, and prayers were led by the Rev. F. Slattery. Wreaths were laid at the sun dial by Messrs P. Lunn (Christchurch R.S.A.), W, Brockman (Woolston R.S.A.), and E. J. Fisher (St. John’s Church). Buglers from the Christchurch West High School sounded “Last Post” and “Reveille.”

SUMNER A big parade of former servicemen wearing their campaign medals and decorations, sea cadets, members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, boy scouts and girl guides and sea rangers marched from All Saints’ Anglican Church to the Hollywood Theatre, where the Sumner Anzac observance was held. On its way to the theatre the parade stopped at the Sumner Returned Services’ Association Hall to lay a wreath at the memorial gates and at the Town Hall, where a wreath was laid before a memorial plaque. The member of Parliament for Lyttelton (Mr H. R. Lake) gave the address at the service. TTie chairman was the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P-). The Rev. T. C. Johnston read a prayer, and a lesson from the New Testament. An Old Testament reading was given by the Rev. A. T. McNaughton. The Rev. T. H. Ford, who read the Thanksgiving prayer, pronounced the Benediction. The Sumner Silver Band, which accompanied the singing, also led the parade. A member of the band, Mr D. Christensen, sounded “Last Post” and “Reveille.” The Sumner School choir sang two hymns, and the president of the Sumner R.S.A. (Mr O. P. Anderson) recited “For The Fallen.” KAIKOURA The commemoration of Anzac Day at Kaikoura was observed by a service in the Drill Hall followed by the laying of wreaths on the cenotaph in the Garden of Memories. The parade, led by the Scottish Society of Marlborough’s Pipe Band and comprising units of the Kaikoura branch of the Returned Services’ Association, a unit of the Marlborough-Nelson-West Coast Regiment under Lieutenant W. G. Rennie, Boy Scouts and Cubs, members of the St. John Ambulance and pupils of the Kaikoura District High School, marched from the west end of the township to the Drill Hall. At the service the president of the Kaikoura R.S.A. presided. The Kaikoura County Council was represented by the chairman (Mr H. J. Hewson). A scripture reading and the address were given by the Rev. C. A. Mitchell Prayers and the benediction were offered by the Rev. R. H. Dalby. After the service the parade marched to the Garden of Memories. While wreaths were being laid a lament was played by the pipe band. “Last Post” and “Reveille” were sounded by Mr F Taylor.

LYTTELTON The Anzac Day service at Lyttelton was held in the Harbour Light Theatre yesterday afternoon, and was attended by a larger number of the public than usual. The service was led by the Rev. D. K. Boyd, the Rev. N. Kelly, the Rev. W. E. Moore, and Lieutenant W. Howie (Salvation Army). The singing was led by a choir conducted by Mr A. Couch, and the pianist was Mrs P. Page. Mr R. A. Young, who gave the address, spoke of the gallant landing at Gallipoli and of the reaction of the people of New Zealand when they learned of the battle and of the losses the New Zealand forces sustained in the initial engagement. During the service “The Rosary” was sung by the Rapaki Women’s Institute choir, and the Lyttelton Marine Band played “Eventide,” two cornetists stationed at the top of the theatre gallery bringing in “Last Post” with touching effect.

After the service a parade was held, and the party marched to the Cenotaph. Those who took part in the parade were the Lyttelton Marine Band, the City of Christchurch Highland Pipe Band, the Lyttelton Returned Services’ Association, representatives of the Lyttelton police, the Mayor (Mr F. G. Briggs) and councillors, the Lyttelton Ambulance and Nursing Divisions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade and the Lyttelton sea scouts and cubs.

Wreaths were laid on the steps of the Cenotaph by representatives ol various bodies and associations in Lyttelton. “Last Post” and “Reveille” were sounded by Mr F. J. Oakley. PAPARUA About 150 war veterans, including one of the South African War. members of local bodies, boy scouts, and residents attended the Paparua service, held in the morning at the Hornby School. Led by the Christchurch Pipe Band, the returned men paraded to the school after assembling at the Orange Hall. The address on the significance of Anzac Day was given by Senior Captain T. McKenzie, of the Salvation Army. The Rev. J. Sands, Presbyterian minister at Hornby, read the lesson and prayer was led by the Rev. W. D. Harding, vicar of St. Columba’s Anglican Church, Hornby. Wreaths were laid on the war memorial at the school and “Last Post” and “Reveille” sounded. CHEVIOT Anzac Day was marked in the Cheviot district with services- in Spotswood in the morning and the Cheviot town hall in the afternoon. Commander D. G. H. Bush addressed the gathering at Spotswood and Mr C. G. Abbott assisted with the service. A solo was given, by Mrs James Stevenson.

Mr A. N. Carnahan president of the local branch of the Returned Services’ Association presided at the afternoon service. An address was given by Mr H. Guthrie, of Christchurch. The Rev. K. Cree and Mr I. Foster conducted the service. A solo was given by Mr Claude O’Hagan of Christchurch. At the end of the service wreaths were placed at the cenotaph in the Memorial Gardens by returned servicemen.

The “Last Post” was sounded by a bugler from St. Andrew’s College.

RANGIORA The Anzac Day parade and service were largely attended at Rangiora. Headed by the Rangiora Brass Band, Parade, which included members of the Rangiora Returned Services’ Association and women’s section, borough and county councillors, and representatives of various local organisations, marched from the R.S.A. hall to the Town Hall, where the address was given by Mr D. W. Russell. The service was presided over by Mr J W. Macleod, president of the association, assisted by the Rev. J. L. Wilson, the Rev. C. E. Dickens, the Rev. L. A. Day, the Rev. W. G. Heerdegen, and Lieutenant N. H. McFarlane. After the service, the parade marched to the cenotaph, where wreaths were laid and Last Post was sounded. An impressive ceremony held at Rangiora on Sunday was the planting of a shrub near the Memorial Cross in the grounds of St. John’s Anglican Church by the People’s Warden, Mr W. G. Nairn, a Gallipoli veteran. The shrub, which was given by Mr Duncan McDiarmid, of Dunedin, was raised from seeds obtained from a shrub growing at Gallipoli during the time the Anzacs were in occupation there.

Another ceremony at the 11 a.m. service at St. John’s Church, was the dedication by the vicar of the roll of honour placed beneath the war memorial window.

PLAQUE UNVEILED AT ST. PAUL’S

A memorial plaque to men of the congregation of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Cashel street, who served in World War 11, was unveiled at a special Anzac service held in the church on Sunday morning. The plaque, of wood with gold lettering, on the north-eastern wall of the church, contains 39 names, with the names of those who were killed marked with an asterisk. A parade of seven pipe bands and returned servicemen preceded the service. The minister of the church (the Rev. Stuart C. Francis) dedicated the plaque, and Mr D. G. Wilson, a veteran of World War I and a member •f the St. Paul’s session, unveiled it. Mr N. Billcliffe, president of the Pipe Bands’ Association, read the Old Testament lesson, and Mr R. W’. Yates, a World War II returned serviceman’ read the New Testament lesson. In his address Mr Francis said: “Our nation has been blessed with many leaders who have also been men of faith, and the men we are honouring today were good soldiers of Christ as well as good soldiers of the King. In time of peace we need that same spirit of self-sacrificing service.”