SYDNEY TRIBUTES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22314, 26 April 1947, Page 4

SYDNEY TRIBUTES

50,000 ON PARADE N.Z. CONTINGENT CHEERED SOLEMN DAWN SERVICE CO a.m.) SYDNEY, April 26. Over 250,000 people packed the city yesterday morning for the commemoration of Anzac Day. In fine sunny weather, about 50,000 cx-servicemcn and women, escorted by 00 bands, marched 16 abreast through the city streets. From an early hour on Thursday night masses of flowers were added to those already decorating the Cenotaph in Martin Place until the number and beauty of the tributes exceeded those of all previous Anzac Days. All-Night Vigil by Crowds People commenced assembling in Martin Place at 6 p.m. on Thursday night for the dawn service yesterdav morning, and thousands camped there all night. At 3 a.m. there were 5000 people in the Square. Wrapped in rugs, they tried to sleep on the footpaths and the Post Office steps. The police were vigilant and removed several drunks and a number of youths who tried to remove or handle wreaths. Some arrests were made. When a group of young men and women in the Post Office colonnade switched on a portable radio set and began to sing, they were ordered to cease by a police inspector, who said: “The majority of folks here are present to pay their respects to relatives killed in the war. If some of you have come here for a night out, you have made a mistake.” 20,000 at Dawn Ceremony An impressive dawn ceremony was attended by 20,000 people. The march past has been hailed as the biggest ever, and press estimates as to the number of participants range as high as 55,000. The New Zealand contingent, made up of ex-servicemen residents, a special delegation from the New" Zealand Returned Servicemen’s Association, and personnel still in uniform, was accorded a place of honour right behind Lieut.General Northcott, who led the parade, and was cheered to the echo. The march was followed by a commemoration service at noon. Yesterday afternoon hotels and picture theatres opened, and the police were directed to turn the traditional blind eye on two-up schools and unofficial reunions.