CITIZENS9 SERVICE

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31043, 26 April 1966, Page 1

CITIZENS 9 SERVICE

The scarlet jackets of the ! Band of the 2nd Battalion, ! Royal New Zealand Infantry ( Regiment, made a splash of < bright colour under a grey sky as it led the mid-morning I parade into Cathedral square ' at the beat of the drum. ] Few citizens, however, were | there to watch the wreath- ' laying ceremony at the Citi- ' zens’ War Memorial and at- 1 tend the citizens’ commemora- ' tion service. The parade itself was small, only alx>ut 200 former service- i men taking part. There were 1 supplementary detachments from the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the Royal New :

Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve. There was also a small delegation of Australian former servicemen Bishop' Warren dedicated the wreaths placed on the war memorial. The Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine) placed a wreath on behalf of the Government, and Mr M G. B. Coultas, the Australian Government Trade Commissioner for the South Island, one on behalf of his Government. The Mayor (Mr G. Manning) placed a wreath on behalf of the City Council and the citizens. Wreaths were also laid by representatives of the Navy,

Army, and Air Force, the Red Cross Society, and other such organisations. The band, playing tunes of the First World War, then led the parade to the King Edward Barracks by way of Colombo street, Cashel street, and the Bridge of Remembrance. Following the practice begun with the fiftieth commemoration of Anzac last year, al) denominations took part in the service at the barracks. The Mayor was chairman, and tlie singing was led by the Woolston Brass Band. Bishop Warren pronounced the dedication. Mr Ryburn, for the Moderator of the Presbytery of Christchurch, read the lesson, and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch (the Most Rev. B. P. Ashby) said the prayer of commemoration. Major R. H. Tong, representing the National Council of Churches, said a prayer, and Mr Barrett recited a poem of remembrance.

Buglers of the Canterbury Battalion of the Boys’ Brigade sounded “Last Post” and “Reveille,” and the service ended with a prayer and benediction pronounced by the Rev. H. C. Matthews, chairman of the Methodist North Canterbury District.