NEWS ARRIVES IN GREYMOUTH

Grey River Argus, 13 November 1918, Page 3

NEWS ARRIVES IN GREYMOUTH

At about quarter to ten o'clock yesterday morning the hoisting of the Hag on the Post Office, followed by the ringing of the tirebells, tooting ot ; whistles, etc., proclaimed to the Greymouth people the joyful news of Germany having signed the armistice. The news was not given to the Press till 9.X2 a.m. when an "extra was issued from this office, containing the message printed above.

On account of the cable received on Friday, which first provoked much enthusiasm and which subsequently proved a huge disappointment, the news yesterday was not received by the townspeople in the same manner as it was last week. Nevertheless one and all expressed themselves as exceptionally glad that the four and a h«lf years of war ha<l terminated •

PROCESSION FORMED

Some little time after the news had been in circulation, the "Old Boys'' began to get things moving., and, when the combined band put in «n appearance, the assemblage (which had in the meantime swelled considerably) moved off towards the Drill Shed when Mr J. O'Donnell arranged a procession. Thi.s headed by the band left the Drill Shed for the Band Rotunda, via Mackay Street and Boundary Street and comprised school children, waving miniature L'nion Jacks, Scouts. Old Boys general public, decorated vehicles and motor cars. The procession was a very lengthy one, but it would have been even more lengthy had the hundreds of people, who stood on the footpaths viewing the march, stepped in. Tt is to be hoped that this remark will- not apply to to-day's procession.

THE MAYOR'S REMARKS

On arrival at the Band Rotunda the band took up their position, and at the request of His Worship the Mayor played the National Anthem,

Mr Lynch then stepped forward and called for three cheers for the Boys at the front, which were vociferously given, accompanied by the singing of "For they are jolly good fellows." The Mayor said he was glad that the official nmssage had come to hand and that they were assembled to celebrate the victory over the Germans. It was a great day, the Germans had been defeated, and defeated properly (cheers). He then read- the Premier's telegram which was enthusiastically received. Mr Lynch paid a tribute to that great man — the man of the hour, Marshal Foch, and to the glorious victory achieved by him for the British Empire and for the civilised world. God Almighty had been with us in this war and we had to otter our thanks to ''Him for His gi/SHness and mercy towards us in the great struggle. The Kaiser who had referred to his Divine Master, had abdicated and we hoped that before long something else would happen to him. On referring to the"* British Navy, which had stood by us during the past four years, and without which we probably would not liay'e been celebrating peace, the speaker was heartily applauded. Mr Xyii'cli, in dealing with the part pluyml by "our boys," stated that the Government would have to stand by those who had stood by us (cheers), no matter what government was in power, they 'would have to do likewise (continued applause). Continuing. ih«> speaker delivered tho following appropriate verses which won> composed by a railway porter, named Chnppell. •tit Ton boasted The Day and you toasted The Day, And now the day has come. Blasphemer,' braggart, and coward ill. Little you rock of the numbing ball. Tlir» blasting shell or the "white arm's" fall, As they drive poor humans home. Yon sived The Day, you lied for The Day. .And woke the fldv'n *W <?pinnn ; * Monster who "cVprl find's pul dV< >r ><v Then s+rewed His seas with the ghnstlv mme — > T or n'l *hp *r«)fnri? r>f th» Rlvne Pan wash thy foul hands clean.

Jou dreamed for 'Ihe Day, you n.iiUiuwu iur liie iJay, '»\ a ten now xiie juny \»ui go! o>..iti oi a&e uuu anil prime v-foieiiteiesa, siaiu iur uever a, crime). niuu hj'l sieepeu m biuod us v iiog

vi si. me, False iiieiid and cowardly foe

You have sown for The Day, you have

thrown lor Ihe Day, Yours is> tiie harvest red. Can you hear the groans and the

awful cries J' Cau you see the heap of slain that lies And sightless, turned tg the llame-split skies, The glassy eyes of the dead?

You have wronged for The Day, you have longed for The Day That lit the awful flame; ■'Tis nothing to you that hill and plain Yield sheaves of dead meu amid the

grain,

That widows mourn for their loved ones slain, And .mothers curse thy name.

But after The Day there's a price to

-pay For the sleepers under the sod; And He you have mocked for ntanv a dayListen and hear what He has to say: 'Vengence* is Mine, I will repay." What can you say to God?

Jiefore reading a resolution of thanksgiving, Mr Lynch apologised for *he absence, through illness, of Signer G. Perot ti ( Italian Consul), Deputy Mayor (Mr \V. H/Parh'tt), Councilors Doogan and Naylor. Mr Felix Campbell and .some returned soldiers. iVl.r Lynch' s reference to our Italian ally was punctured with three hanrty enters from the assemblage. The Aiayor then read the following resolution ;

•'This meeting of the citizens of Greymouth desires to oiler thanks to Almighty God that after more than four years experience of the horrors or si war which lias involved the civilised world in untold sacrifice and suffering . the day of victory which vindicates the principles of liberty and justice as "against the powers of ruthless barbarism has at- length been achieved. It expresses its sincerest sympathy with ail who in this day of rejoicing have their gladness tempered by the mem- i ory of friends who have fallen for the Great Cause. It prays that the good hand of Providence which has guided the allied nations during the course of the great conflict, may direct them still in the difficult problems which are yet to be faced, so that the peace which has been won at such cost of human life and treasure may be permanent and secure." MAGISTRATE WILSON'S SPEECH. Mr J. E. Wilson (Stipendiary Magistrate at Greymouth) said that he was* proud to be able to join in - the _ celebrating of a glorious victory — that of right over might. Preparations during the last thirty or forty^.years had beim in progress in Germany and ib was thought by her people that she could, and would, dominate the world. The realisation of that hope was now apparent. .In 1914 Great Britain had two courses open to her and we know what she had done. When the call -came to the men of the overseas dominions that Britain was at war, (not a war of aggression, but one to uphold treaties that had been broken by Germany) our men came to the assistance of the Mother Country. The Government in New Zealand offered to send men and she had done so, and the speaker referred to the many heroic deeds of our boys at Gallipolt — deeds that fa»* transcended acts of heroism from the beginning of the world. They did not overcome the Turks, but they held them and that was one of the important factors in determining the awful war. Mr Wilson stated tbat to those who were wounded and incapacitated justice must be done : also to the families of these men (cheers). In conclusion he mentioned it. was with the deepest thankfulness that he seconded the resolution. The band here struck up the Marseillaise, after which three cheers cheers were given for our French ally. CHAIRMAN OF HARBOUR BOARD. After Mr Jesse Steer (Chairman of the Greymouth Harbour Board) had supported the resolution 'and endorsed the remarks of Mr Lynch, and the seconder, the Mayor put the motion which was carried, amongst cheers. It was anno"r"«»d that as a result of the closure of t»ubli^ IWlls the propo«?efl entertainments had to be enneelled. the. health authorities desiring tnnfc the nnblie keep out in the open. Proceed ines then terminated until the tor^hUjrM p*"ct « ion last evening.