V-E DAY OBSERVANCE

Grey River Argus, 11 May 1945, Page 2

V-E DAY OBSERVANCE

CHURCH SERVICES AT GREYMOUTH The main functions held in Greymouth yesterday to mark the end of the European war were services at the Regent Theatre and St. Patrick’s Church. At the combined service of thanksgiving in the Regent Theatre, there was a fairly large attendance. Rev. T. R. Page presided, and after the singing of the National Anthem, gave a call to worship. A prayer of confession, thanksgiving, and supplication was offered by Rev. A. J. Templeton. The first lesson, Psalm 4(5 was read by Adjutant O. L. Ojala, and the second, Hebrews II: 32-40; 12: 1-2, by Mr. S. H. Sofield. The address was given by Rev. T. G. Campbell. Mr. Campbell said that for him the service was the most important part of the celebrations for victory. As citizens of the Empire, wc joined with many others and, following the example of the. King, thanked God for victory to our arms and for peace in Europe. After the last war, General Smuts had said that mankind had struck its tents and was on the march. We know now just where that march had led. During the past years our nation had gone through the ugly things of life, and now round the conference table in America the leaders of the nations were trying to bring peace and a true basis of understanding between the nations. We know that war was evil and had to be done away with for ever. To-day we all gave thanks for our victory and. our peace. How were we going to do the job ahead ? Mr. Campbell asked. We must recognise this as a Christian nation. God had been our _guide and because we were a Christian nation had blessed and guided us and given us victory. Because we, as a British nation with our Allies had tried to do that which was right, because we had fought for freedom, truth, and justice, God had blessed us. The. past was behind us and there was still one enemy to face. In the future we had to face the problem of rehabilitation and give help to the . starving people of Europe. The nation that recognised God was the nation that was going to rule the world. Air. Campbell said that there must be no neutrality and non-intervention in the future. It was that which had broken up the League of Nations. As a Christian nation we must recognise where we were going, it had been said that the hand which rocked the cradle ruled the world, but, the speaker asked had we developed family life and citizenship as we should?. Our victory thanksgiving was going to be a shallow mockery unless we recognised that above all Kings, and rulers was one who was the King of mankind. In our life and in that of the nation n we craved for victory we would lmve P to y pray for peace It was easy to forget our God and the fact that we were a Christain people. there must be religion in life—not onlj on a Sunday but in our everyday life. In times to come we must establish the spiritual things of life and re cognise that there was some h glier Power than the power of the wdl ol man God had been with us in the past, and we hoped that He would be with us in th© future. . A prayer of commemoration and the dedication was ofered bv Rex- F. Kirkham, and the Last Post v T. h R h Benediction.

ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH. There was a very large congiega lion at St. Patrick’s Church yesterday afternoon when a special Holy Hour e/aS’in honour of the observance Rnsarv and special prayers, concluding with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, during, whicn the // Deum” the special hymn of thanksgiving, was recited by the priests and Sisters of Mercy. The. Catholic Nurses Guild were present in uniform. Sit. Patrick’s choir was in attendance, rendering the Benediction music, and hvmns, in which the congregation joined, concluding with the hymn, “Long live the Pope”.

greymouth picture matinee. A specially selected picture programme for the children of Greymouth and district, was screened at both the Opera House and Regent Theatre vesterday afternoon, to celebrate V-E Day. Mr A. Beban in commending the children for their good behaviour during the performance at the Opera House, told them that thanks for this outstanding programme ■ was due to their worthy Mayor, Mr F. A. Kitchingham, who had asked him (Mr Beban) to obtain the best possible pictures for this

extra special occasion, and the result was the obtaining of the first screening in New Zealand of the race horse picture “Thoroughbreds”. Mr Beban called for three hearty cheers for the Mayor for providing such a treat, and th e enthusiasm that greeted this request nearly “lifted the roof”. KUMARA PEACE CELEBRATIONS Yesterday’s peace celebrations m Kumara will long be remembered as a great success. The town was gaily decorated. At 11 a.m. a large crowd assembled at the State School, where there was a procession via Fifth, Seddon and Main Streets to the Recreation round, headed by the Greymouth Pipe Band, and consisting of representatives of the Returned services’ Association, and St. John Ambulance Brigade and several Waacs. Then followed school children nearly all of whom were dressed in - fancy costumes. Notable were tricycles ridden by Anthony Lakin and Arnold Caithness; cycles by Rae Rose, C. Gibson and R. McLaughlin; and decorated prams displayed bv Doreen McNabb and Eileen Lakin. Others in fancy dress were: D. Calder (cigarette girl), G. Hunt fold maid), F. Rudkin (back to school days), Betty Baretta and Pauline Lawrence (Red Cross nurses), Patricia Lakin (nigger.), Margaret Pool, Elaine Ryan, and Dianne Neville (old fashioned ladies), Donelda and Erin Lawson (Russian maids), Noelene Clark (peace in Europe), Heather Caithness (China), Pat Hammersley (rose), Maurice McGrath (jockey), Neil Neville (tramp), Geo. Ryan (gold miner), and Geoff Clark (cow boy). Then followed the “Tin Can Band” organised by Mr. Fred Rudkin, a very interesting combination. Mr. W. J. Inglis’s lorry carried a striking tableau “Britannia,” various Allied Nations being represented, with “Britannia” charmingly portrayed by Miss Daphne Hahn. Messrs Gilbert and Tomasi’s large lorry carried a “Dad and Dave” combination and the various characters caused much merriment. Even faithful cow (“Sally”) followed carrying the placard ‘The Backbone of the Country.” This was a praticularly well arranged tableau. Next followed members of the Rugby League Football Club wearing the Club jerseys. Other decorated lorries were those of Messrs Pat Griffin, Sam Yde, Walter Neame, while several others were used for transport of timber workers. Among the cars were those of Messrs Collie, E. Rose, D. Caithness, D. Thompson, W. Evenden, R. Kerr, R. N. May, M. R. Spiers, W. Stewart. F. Neame, F. Stratford, T. Hibbs, W. McNabb and C. Thorn. The judges for the procession and costumes were Rev. Father CVBrien and Rev. W. D. Harding, who allotted the prizes as follows: Best group: ■ “Dad and Dave” —“On Our Selection”; best dressed adult, Miss Daphne Hahn (Brittania”); best bicycle. Master Rae Rose; best tricycle, Master Anthony Lakin; best pram, Miss Doreen McNabb; best dressed girl, Miss Noelene Clark (iPeace in Europe); best dressed boy, Geoff. Clark (cowboy). After lunch children’s sports weie held till 3 p.m. at the Recreation Ground where the various impromptu event were keenly contested, ine children were treated to soft drinks ice cream and fruit in abundance. At 3 p.m. an adjournment was made to Seddon Street where the Pipe Band played several selections m front of the Fire Station, and the people joined in singing and dancing. Several adults’ sporting events were held At 5 p.m. the Mayor (Mr W. Stewart)i thanked the Pipe Band for the great part they had playea m making the jollifications such, a success and asked the Drum Major (Mi.O. McLean) to accept a cash gilt which had been voluntarily subscribed bv the citizens. Mr. McLean expressing thanks for the gift said the band would be pleased to assist m any Kumara gathering.

RUNANGA CELEBRATIONS. V-E Day celebrations should long remain memorable for the children in the Runanga district. On. Wednesday morning upwards of six hundred of them, headed by the Runanga Band, marched in procession to the State S'chocfl grounds, where they were entertained by the Committee each Child receiving a flag and a plentiful supply of ice-cream, sweets, etc. A varied snorts programme, in which every, child competing received a prize, finished the morning’s entertainment. . . .. In the afternoon a civic function, presided over by the Mayor, Mr E. W. Kennedy, was held m the Miners Hall Addresses were given by the Mavor R«v. E. S. Harding, Rev. Father Holohan, Mr Geo English (President Miners’ Union and R.S.A.), Mr F Oakley; (Red Cross), and Mr Robt. Awnstrong (School Committee). Coloured lights were a particmai attroetion for asocial and dance held in the Miners’ Hall in the evening,

when a record crowd danced to the music of Miss Warwick’s orchestra. Forty-fives and euchre tournaments, held in the Fire Brigade hall, were well patronised. Yesterday afternoon live hundred children were the guests of the Miners’ Union at a special picture matinee at the Miners’ Hall. BRUNNER GATHERING. At Brunner on V-E Day a thanksgiving service was attended by about two hundred, who marched behind the Brunner Band from Dobson to Wallsend Hall. Addresses were given by Mr W. Gutberlet (Mayor), and Rev. Mr W. S. Brettell, who stressed the note of relief at the victory in Europe, the need to defeat Japan, and the obligation of the ypunger people to live up to their responsibility and opportunity in the coming years. Mr Brettell conducted the service, which opened with “God Defend New Zealand”, followed by the hymn “O God Our Help in Ages Past”. Mr Brettell led in prayer and Mr R. R. Smith read a scripture lesson from Isaiah 26; 1-11. Items were rendered by Miss Rena Bell and children’s chorus (“Hymns of the Old Church Choir”) and Mrs T. Quinn (“The Holy City”). Miss M. Watson was the accompaniste. REEFTON CELEBRATIONS. A civic service was held at the Reefton Council Chambers on Wednesday morning, to celebrate the end of the European war. The County Chairman (Mr F. W. Archer) presided, and other speakers were, the President of the R.S.A., the Chairman of the Reefton School Committee, the Chairman of the Hospital Board (Mr J. B. Auld), Rev. Father Nolan, and Revs. C. Sprackett, F. Trim and V. Learning. Selections were played during the service by the Inangahua Silver Band. In the evening a combined thanksgiving service was held at St. Stephen’s Church. The address was given by Rev. F. Trim. WESTPORT PROCESSION. P.A. WESTFORT, May 10. Westport celebrated V-E Day this evening with a monster procession in Palmerston Street, made up by the Band and many, others, all being in fancy, and some in grotesque costumes. After a march up and down the street, the procession drew into the old school ground, where there was a monster bonfire, which lit up the surroundings. The people were in a gay mood, dancing and singing popular songs. As the fire died' down, the procession, reinforced by many more citizens, took to, the main street again and continued on its way.

RECORD CROWD P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, May 10 Men and women, boys and girls, soldiers, sailors and airmen, elderly people; infants in arms, on shoulders and in prams; formally dressed citizens and citizens in the most bizarre attire; sober citizens and citizens in “an advanced state of celebration” marched * through the streets of Christchurch in thousands this afternoon in a “Victory March,” which proved an extraordinary expression of jubilitation at the Allied triumph , in Europe. Marching eight abreast a great column of flag-waving, ban-ner-carrying, singing and shouting people took more than an hour to tile into Colombo Street' on the last lap of the march, and by that tl P l ® Cathedral Square was so congested that large detachments of marchers had to be diverted into Cashel and Hereford Streets. The total number can only be guessed at, but it is probable that the marchers were at least 25,000 strong, and there must have been many more s P e ct ator ing the route. Many of the latter w T ere drawn into the procession as i passed by. The huge assemblage which crowded Cathedral Sc l ua / e + l ? e streets nearby was a ( ld r esse £.Jr. Ma-vor !Mr E. H. Andrews; Aren bishop’ West-Wntson; tb .e Minister ot Sunnlv Hon. D. G. SullivEm, a «a other prominent public pgures, a joined in community ringing. The Army fired a salute of . by Hagley Park, this being watched oy a large crowd. In g en ® ial h }’ 1 t ? e J enday was marked by the big, ' thdsiasm and the crowd asscmWea in or near Cathedral. Square wa probably the greatest in of Christchurch. The ceiem< continued to-night with a lan, crowd still in .the Square- _