ANZAC DAY IN FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3132, 10 July 1917, Page 3

ANZAC DAY IN FRANCE

GREAT SPOUTS GATHERING.

Lieutenant Frank Cook, tho wellknown Christchureh footballerjand New Zealand hurdlo champion, (who- was reportcl wounded in the casualty list issued on Saturday), in a letter to his mother, Mrs. J. Cook, of Irvine Street, Lower Biccarton, gives a most 'iiilerest - - ing description of a sports gathering that was held at' one of tho New Zot\ : land base depots in France to celebrate Anzai; Day. Lieutenant Cook (says tho Christcliurch "Press") was appointed to represent tho New Zealand depot on tho Sports Committee —thu Australians and New Zealanders were the only two parties—and, as he remarks, the Australians had many more. men to draw on than the New Zealniiders, though eventually the latter more than held their own. The programme drawn up was as follows: —New Zealand v. Australia, , Eugby football; Australia v. Australia, Australian football; 220 yds. and MOyds. flat; a flag relay race and a tng-of-war, New Zealand v. Australia, ten men asidti. - Lieutenant Cook had , the picking of the New Zealand representatives, and as ho states, this was no easy •' task. However, after various trials, ho got his teams together, and his selection of tho football fifteen caused considerable comment, though subsequent events proved the wisdom of his picking. Tho great day arrived, very fine; but a bit windy. In the morning there was a commemoration service, ' and iu the afternoon the great parade moved, out of the camp to the sports ground—a great" sight. At the sports ground,' two miles away, a body of Maoris was statiouect as a guard of honour to the General. At the end of the football ground was. a large hill, which was absolutely packed with troops, and dotted here and there amongst tho khaki were sisters and nurses. ■■ ■ \ ' , After the Australia v. Australia match, ■the 100 yds. was run, and tho New Zealand sprinter won handsomely from six Australians. Then c.\ine the Eugby match, . and the Maorilanders won s>. great victory by 30 points to nil. Next came tlie 220 yds., and again the New Zealand sprinter bri-asted the tape first, while the New Zealandprs also got nway with tlift relay Tace, tnough had to admit defeat in the tng-of-war.

Later there was a concert, at which the Maoris greatly distinguished themselves by giving t<. fine haka. At 8 p.m. a dinner was given for all the Gallipolilanuii'.g heroes, and, a grent spread and extensive toast-list occupied the rest of the evening. The whole day was greatly enjoyed by officers and men alike.