FORTY YEARS AGO

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3126, 3 June 1942, Page 8

FORTY YEARS AGO

PEACE DECLARED GOOD TIDINGS IN PAEROA TRIUMPH FOR BRITISH ARMS (From the Ohinemuri Gazette of June 3, 1902.) The glad tidings from the Act-ing-Premier, Sir J. 'G. Ward, that he has received definite information that peace has been declared, will, we feel assured, ibe received with exclamations of joy throughout the colony. Immediately on receipt of the news in Paeroa, the Post Office flag was hoisted, and soon after all the flags in the township followed suit. The church bells pealed forth as also did McAndrew’s whistle at the Sash and Door Factory and Messrs Forrest and Clark’s whistle at the Junction Sawmill. The school children were granted a half-holiday and gave vent to their feelings by cheering down the streets and the occasional banging of kerosene tins.

What the termination of the war will mean to the British Empire can scarcely be comprehended. The struggle has been a long one and has cost many brave lives; but this sacrifice had to be made in order to uphold the reputation of the Empire. From the commencement of the war it was felt that there could be only one ending and that was by a complete triumph for the British Arms.