ANZAC DAY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3112, 29 April 1942, Page 7

ANZAC DAY

SERVICES IN COROMANDEL WREATHS ON MEMORIAL LUNCHEON FOR THE R.S.A. The usual Anzac Day -Commemoration Services were held in Coromandel last Saturday when a parade marched from Furey’s Bridge to the Memorial .in the Post Office grounds where wreaths were laid and the Last Post sounded. Wreaths from the following organisations were laid on the memorial by the R.S.A., Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, WjD.F.U., Coromandel School, Loyal Hauraki Lodge, Coromandel Hospital, W.W.S.A. and Methodist Church.

Units taking part in the parade consisted of members on active service, returned soldiers, Home Guard, Coast Guards, E.P.S., W.W.S.A., Scouts and Guides.

A large number of the public lined the street and attended the ceremony at the memorial.

The “Last Post” was sounded by Mastei- Neil Davies.

After the ceremony concluded a service was held, in’the Caledonian Hall. Mi- C. C. Rae, county chairman, was in the chair, and with him on the platform were Rev. C. Aker, Lt.-Col._E. C. N.Robinson of Morrinsville, Captain Lucas and Dr. Birkinshaw, president of the R.S.A. in 'Coromandel.

Lt.-Col. Robinson gave an appropriate address in which he stressed the need for working for peace as well as victory. At the close of the service members of the R.S.A. and their wives were entertained to lunch in the Caledonian supper room by the local branch of the Women’s Division. The tables were beautifully decorated and the lunch was very much enjoyed by all. The president of the division,. Mrs W. Evans, welcomed, the guests and hoped they would all enjoy the opportunity of a re-union, which was the aim of the division in putting on the luncheon on Anzac Day each year. The National Anthem was sung and a blessing asked iby Rev. C. Aker. The following toasts were honoured.

“The King,” proposed by Mrs Evans.

“The Visitors,” coupled with the name of Lt.-Col. E. C. N. Robinson. Lt.-Col. Robinson replied thanking the people of Coromandel who had invited him to. be present at these Anzac Day observances in Coromandel. ’ He said it was a very great pleasure to him as the warm-hearted-ness of the Coromandel people was well known to him since his acquaintance with them in his recent activities in connection with the Home Guard. He complimented the W.W.S.A. on the way the/had got together and were working for the good of all in the event of any emergency arising. The formation of women’s units and organisations was a sign of the times. When the war was over women will come into their own, on an equal footing with the men and it would be all to the good of mankind. The toast to the R.S.A. was coupled with the name of Dr. Birkinshaw, president of the Coromandel branch. In -replying, Dr. Birkinshaw opened his remarks by saying it appeared we couldn’t do without the returned soldiers, according- to the three cheers just given. However, he continued, we are greatly indebted to the Women’s Division who look after us when we are well or when we are sick and who give us one good meal a year; for men may come and men may go, but may the Women’s Division go on for ever. He paid a tribute to the previous president of the division, Mrs McKenzie, who had been such an ardent worker in the cause of helping others and bringing joy into others’ lives. He personally, had much to thank Mrs McKenzie for and she is a very charming and great lady. He thanked, the division for their hospitality and complimented the president, Mrs Evans, for her work in carrying on the duties in the same -wholehearted way as her predecessor had done. He was sure" that the division would continue its good work for many years to come.

The toast to Dr. Birkinshaw, president of the R.S.A. was proposed by Mrs McKenzie. This toast proved a very popular one and was heartily honoured and. cheered. The toast to “The nurses of this and the last war,” was proposed by Dr. Birkinshaw coupled with the names of Sisters French and Adams. Both replied thanking those present for the hearty way in which the. toast was honoured.

The toast to all members ■ of the Armed Forces and war workers in E.P.S., Home Guard, Coast Guard and W.W.S.A. was proposed by Mrs Evans. Captain Lucas replied on be-

half of the local units of the Home Guard, Coast Guard, and E.P.S. workers. Mrs Murphy replied on behalf of the W.W.S.A.

The toast to the president of the Division and the workers was proposed by Mrs McKenzie. Mrs Evans replied.

The tdast to the Coromandel Silver Band was proposed by Capt. Lucas who in doing so stated tha tfor the first time in many years there had been no band to lead the parade. This was due to the .fact that most of its members were on active service. The band instruments (by the generous spirit of the people of Coromandel had been loaned for the duration to the Air Force.

Mr F. L. 'Davies, one of the bandsmen, replied on behalf of. absent members of the band. He stated that a young band was in the making and he hoped to have a (band to welcome the boys back again. Many private instruments had been lent and in this way the (boys were able to carry on with their part of keeping the flag flying. The toast to Mr Hovell, the senior soldier present that day was proposed by Mrs Anderson. Mr Hovell

replied thanking everyone for the hearty honouring of this toast and said that Anzac Day brought memories linked with pride and sorrow—sorrow because some of the Anzacs were absent to-day from Coromandel. The - toast to Rev. and Mrs Aker was proposed by Mrs Evans.. Rev. Aker replied saying he wondered when the toast list was going to end, as he had only two empty bottles in front of him (lemonade). He said this was the fifth Anzac Day he had been in Coromandel and he was beginning to feel like one of the old residents. There was a wonderful spirit of comradeship in Coromandel and he was sure the religious and social emblem of Anzac Day would never die out.

The toast to Mr instructor of the W.W.S.A. was proposed by Mr H. V. Denize. Mr Ngapo was taken by surprise, but he rose to the occas-

ion as always. Thanking the gathering for honouring the toast, he said he wasn’t able to do very much for the W.W.S.A. because he was . sure they had more brains than “us poor men.”

The toast to Mr Knight, leader of the Scouts was proposed and duly honoured. Mr Knight, in replying, coupled the Guides in his remarks and said that both they and the Scouts were doing their duty and would continue to do so.

The proceedings then came to an end.

In the afternoon demonstrations were given on the Domain by the units of the Home Guard, Coast Guard, W.W.S.A., Scouts and Guides. At the conclusion the Medical Unit of the W.W.S.A. gave a demonstration in conjunction with the doctor and ambulance, the V.A.D’s. and stretcher bearers carrying out their work in an efficient manner.

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