ATKARORI

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18, 22 July 1919, Page 3

ATKARORI

The ceremony at Karori, brief mention of which was made in yesterday's Post, was quite interesting, taking the form of an unveiling of a Roll of Honour and sports at the Park. Mr. B. A. Wright, M.P., in the course of his address stressed the 'importance of the day and the ceremony he had been privileged' to participate , in—the unveiling of the Honours Board. The names (some 200 in number) inscribed on the 801 l of Honour, 'testified to the manner in which the Karori lads had, in common with the gallant lads1 of other districts, offered their services in defence of the Empire to whi-ch they were proud to : belong. He hadl conversed with,a chaplain who had had a lengthy experience at the front, and had questioned him as to the reputation of the New Zealanders, and he had been, assured that in the firing line and elsewhere the lads from New Zealand had worthily upheld the reputation of the Dominion. The New Zealand Division ranked as one. of the best in the British Army,-and had been the recipient-of the highest praise from the military and other leaders. They had sot a splendid standard^ and New Zealand was justly proud of them. (Applause.) He referred, to the departure ■of .the various reinforcements,.,and'said it was a sad sight to see the married men torn from their families, but willing to make their share of the common sacrifice. They had met that day to celebrate the end of the war and to do honour to these "brave lads from Karori who had played their part so well. The German nation had been'guilty of many offences against the laws ,of justice, humanity, 'and probity, and thoroughly deserved the punishment that had been inflicted on them. He wished he could say that the termination of the war would mean the termination of all wars, but even if that were not so the Germans would not be able to continue the many offences of which they had been guilty. Mr. Wright spoke of the splendid response that Karori had made in connection with the war, and hoped that all would; remember the day on which they had met to celebrate.the Peace juet concluded and honour the brave lads whose names were enrolled on the Board of: Honour. (Applause.) Mr. Wright con-eluded by unveiling the Roll of Honour. . . •'

The children sang a hymn of peace and; the National Anthem, for which they had been carefully trained by Mr. J. C. Burns, M.A. Major Smythe was marshal of the procession of children, each of whom carried a miniature Union Jack.