Anzac Day Services Draw Larger Attendances

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 April 1949, Page 2

Anzac Day Services Draw Larger Attendances

The 34th anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli was commemorated at Anzac Day services held on the West Coast- yesterday. Ideal weather was experienced and the attendance at most ceremonies was larger than for some time, though the dawn parade at Greymouth was confined mainly to returned servicemen.

More than 90 former servicemen paraded in Tainui street at six o’clock yesterday morning to take part in the dawn parade to the Cenotaph where wreaths and poppies were laid. The parade was the biggest to be held in Greymouth since the ceremony was instituted some years ago. The salute was taken at Grey Main School gates by BrigadierGeneral W. Meldrum, who was accompanied by Mr O. McLean (R.S.A. president). At the Cenotaph, .a wreath was laid by Mi' R. Orbell, representing the returned servicemen of the last war. Special Church Services Large congregations were present for the special Anzac Day church services held at the Holy Trinity and St Patrick’s churches. The Mayor, Mr F. F. Boustridge, read the Lesson at the combined service held at Holy Trinity Church, the occasional address was given by the Rev J. Silvester, and the service was conducted by the Rev K. G. Aubrey. The Rev Father T. Daly celebrated Requiem Mass at St Patrick’s Church. Service organisations were represented in a parade to the Cenotaph held after the church service, the Municipal Band and Highland Pipe Band leading the marching groups. At the monument, wreaths were placed by the Mayor, Mr Boustridge, on behalf of the citizens, and by Mr O. McLean, on behalf of the R.S.A. During the day, many citizens visited the Cenotaph as a mark of respect to the war dead, and some 10 wreaths were placed at the foot of the memorial —the most for many years. The wooden cross at the Cenotaph was also filled with hundreds of poppies. Poppies Placed On Graves Poppies were placed on 200 graves at the Karoro Cemetery by officers of the Greymouth branch of the R.S.A., oilowing the public ceremonies, and a wreath was also placed by Brigadier-

General Meldrum on the Sister Jamieson plaque at the Grey Hospital, while a poppy was placed on it by Mrs O. McLean. Services were also held by the United Football Club, and the Technical Old Boys’ Association. A wreath was placed on the honours board at the United Pavilion, where the Mayor, Mr Boustridge, also gave an address on the significance of Anzac, and a similar function was held at the Greymouth" Technical High School, where Captain G. Brown, a former pupil, spoke to a gathering of expupils. Wreaths were also placed on the memorial gates at the Grey Main School, and on the gates at St John’s Presbyterian church. Anzac services were also held in many country district centres, including Brunner, Blackball and Ikamatua. ANZAC CONCERT

The Blackball district provided many of the artists for the Anzac concert, which was held in the Greymouth Regent Theatre last evening. The varied programme was well-received by the large audience.

A feature of the programme, was a euphonium solo by Bandsman J. Rafferty, of the Municipal Band, who won the New Zealand Championship this year. ■ His number, “The Cambrian,’’ was composed specially for him by Mr J. Huckerty, of England, and this was the first time it had been played publicly. The Greymouth Municipal Band played the overture, and gave several items, and the following artists also took part:—Mr Norrish (song, “There is a Land”); Misses Ula Drummond, Pauline Robinson and Rene Morgan (instrumental duo); Mrs R. Taylor (song: “Ave Maria”); Mr R. Outram (violin solo); • Messrs L. Lindley, V. Hansen, W. and G. Anderson (humorous item: “Barber Shop Quartette”) ; Miss U. Drummond (songs: “Cradle Song” and “Down in the Forest”); Mr J. Rafferty (euphonium solo); Mr B. Grenfell (song); Mr R. Buchan (songs: “Road to Mandalay” ar.d “For You Alone”); Miss V. Bayley and Messrs L. Lindley and W. Anderson (humorous sketch: “Rat Poison”); Mrs R. Taylor and Richard > Taylor (duet: “Silent Night”); Mrs Nelson and Airs Collins (sketch: “Over the Garden Wall”); Mrs Ord (songs: “Among My Souvenirs” and “My Happiness”); and Miss D. Gifford (’cello solos: “In a Monastery Garden” and “Star of Eve”). Members of the Blackball Dramatic Society and the Miriam Trott School of Dancing gave a number of combined items during the evening, at the conclusion of which the president of the R.S.A., Mr O. McLean, returned thanks to the artists and performers, and to the management of the theatre for making it available.