ANZAC SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 179, 27 April 1931, Page 6

ANZAC SERVICES

Gatherings in Hutt Valley RETURNED MEN PARADE ■ ■... i ■ ?’■ ; ■ There were large attendances through- . out the Hutt Valley for the Anzac Day : services. All schools had special services ■ in the morning,- when very- few of the scholars were not present. Lower Huts Service. > At Lower Hutt the service was held in the Recreation Ground, a large number of people assembling round tue War Memorial, at the eastern end of the ground. The Mayor (Sir Alexander Renerts) presided. With him on the platform were Lady Roberts, Mrs. W. Nash, borough councillors, Mr. Walter Nash, M.P., Mr. it, W. Tooinath, president of the Hutt Valley Returned Soldiers' Association, Archdeacon Hauseil, Rev. H. A. Sharp, Rev. <l. McCaw, Rev. Lopdeli, Rev. B. T. H. Wearue,- and Captain Coxhead, of the Salvation Army. The Lower Hutt returned soldiers mustered in full force at the Hutt Central School, and with the Hutt Valley High School Cadets, marched to the Recreation Ground. They had been preceded there by the Boy Scouts, Wolf Cubs, Brownies, and Girl Guides. The singing of the hymns was led by the Lower Hutt Municipal Band, Captain Coxhead led in prayer, Archdeacon Hansell read the New Testament lessons, aud Rev. J, McCaw the lesson from the Old Testament, and the benediction was pronounced by the Rev. H. A. Sharp. Wreaths were deposited at the foot of the memorial by Mr. R. W. Tooinath for the returned soldiers, Lady Roberts for the Lower Hutt Borough Council and citizens, Mrs. J. Mitchell, and large numbers of other people. Lieut. E, T. McKain sounded the Last Post, and after the one minute’s silence had been observed, he sounded the Reveille. The address was given by the Rev. R. T, Wearnc, who took as his text the words “Lest We Forget.” After the service a march past was held, the salute being taken by Mr. Toomath. Petone Gathering. The Petone gathering was presided over by the mayor, Mr. D. McKenzie, who had with him on the platform, Mrs. McKenzie, Mr. Walter Nash, M.P., Mrs. Nash, Rev. J. C. Loan, Rev. B. J. James,. Chaplain Rev. H. J. Odell, and Captain Thompson. The service was held near the > monument in. the Recreation Ground. The Petone Central ’ Band played “The Garland of Flowers,” the Caledonian Society’s Pipe Band ’ played a lament, the Salvation Army Band-led the singing. Captain Thompson, of the Salvation Army led the prayer, Rev. J. C. Loan read from Psalm xivi., and Rev. James pronounced the Benediction. Assembled at the base of the memorial were Petone Returned Soldiers, School Cadets, Boy- Scouts, Sea Scouts, Wolf Cubs, and Girl Guides. The address was given by Chaplaiu Rev. H. J. Odell. A march past was held, the salute being taken by Mr. R. W. Toomat'h. Eastbourne. There was a large attendance at the war memorial fronting the school grounds in Eastbourne. The mayor, Mr. H. M. Jones, presided. There was a full muster of returned soldiers, school children. Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides. Addresses were given by Captain Skelly, Rev. Raine, and ■Rev.' Gibson-Smith. A march-past was held- ; Upper Hutt Service. The service at Upper Hutt was held in Maidstone Park, the procession of returned soldiers, headed by. the Upper Hutt Municipal Brass Band, and assisted by Boy Sconts and friendly societies, leaving from the post office. The mayor Mr. P. Robertson, presided. The Rev. G. V. Kendrick led the Lord’s Prayer, a reading with responses was given by Captain Askew, a prayer by Mr. White, and the Rev.. G. Hunt delivered the address. The Rev. Kendrick pronounced the benediction. The “Last Post” was sounded by Mr. A. Jackson, of the Old Comrades Band. Service at Trentbam School. The first Anzac service to be held at the new Trentham school was well attended, no fewer than 140 children and 70 adults being present. After the National Anthem had been sung, the headmaster. in a brief address, stated that although the school had no traditions, and no roll of honour, it was fitting that the memory of those who fell at Anzac, most of whom were trained at Trentbam. should be kept green by the holding of a service on Anzac Day. Kipling’s recessional hymn, and “Jerusalem the Golden," were then sung; after which the Rev. G. Kendrick, vicar of Upper Hutt, led the gathering in prayer. Colonel G. Hall, C.M.G., C.8.E.. V.D., vice-president of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association, delivered an inspiriting address. Pointing in turn to the Moonshine and Wallaceville ridges, he stated that they were not to be compared in ruggedness to the precipitous slopes which our boys- had surmounted so gallantly on Gallipoli, and not in vain. He decried the possibility of another dreadful war, and urged the children to develop that spirit of service above self which had so imbued those gallant men who had laid down their lives to safeguard our freedom, in order that the many difficulties which beset our country might speedily be overcome. After the address, the children sang “Lead. Kindly Light” and “Abide With Me.” Corporal Steele. N.Z.P.S.. then blew the “Last Post.” and as the last notes died away. Boy Hilson. R.N.. broke into the naval reveille. A very impressive ceremony was brought to a close when the whole gathering marched to the soldiers’ memorial gate at St. John’s Church, and stood to attention while representatives from each of the standards placed their floral tributes.