PEACE CELEBRATIONS IN QUEENSTOWN

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4704, 17 August 1945, Page 3

PEACE CELEBRATIONS IN QUEENSTOWN

. When the news of the unconditional surrender of Japan was reo eiV clh"?r t r tO T n lat + G ° n Wedllesda y morning it proved the sigaal to celebrate the return to peace after nearly six years of war. An had been , ma . dc the previous day that some definite ' d ! oldd come over the air and even then, the vacillating Japanese governing authorities might have, let the people down. However it was announced that the Prime Minister of Great Britain would broadSan Tat 11 a m Do '™ m « «-* «4 new. reached New With eve,l>y other part of New Zealand Queenstown inh. ht dramatic news and at the ringing of the church bells the gaV ? Way t0 spontalleou « action. Considering the short -- he v C ° ple ros f t ° tle occasion in the afternoon and hilarity reigned. Young and old joined in the rejoicing. THE MAYOR SPEAKS dor of the afternoon.

His Worship the Mayor (Dr W. A. Anderson) addressed a large number of people from the balcony of Eichardt’s Hotel. His first appropriate phrases were *‘Peace has come to the whole world after nearly six years of total war.” Continuing, he said, Japan the co-Axis power—Germany—had surrendered unconditionally. For this wonderful victory they had, firstly, to thank Almighty God and secondly, their wonderful fighting forces. New Zealanders, he was proud to say, had played a very important and heroic part and had covered themselves with glory in all theatres of war. They would remember that when war was declared the late Mr Savage, who was Prime Minister at the time, made use of the words: “We stand with the British Empire; where it goes w r e go; whore it stands wo stand.” This was a time for great thankfulness and great rejoicing.

lug began to appear, loads of greenery were dispersed in the streets for shop decoration. The main street was also brightly illuminated with coloured lights.

THANKSGIVING SERVICES Thanksgiving services were held in all the churches on both Wednesday and Thursday and on Thursday a united service was held in the Garrison Hall at 11 a.m. All local organisations attended in separate units and there was a good assemblage of town and country people. The local clergy and Salvation ■ Army officers were entrusted with the conduct of the service. After presentation of colours by the Girl Guides, His Worship the Mayor opened the proceedings with a few remarks anont the significance of the occasion, the delivery from the last of the aggressor nations—the triumph or right over might. In a spirit of glad thanksgiving they met to give thanks to Almighty God for the peace they wore celebrating that day. Mr D. H. Coekburn, chairman of the Lake County Council, said never in history had there been such a momentous occasion as this. If ever a spirit of thankfulness prevailed now was the

A number of local gunners then gave a ‘‘Royal Salute of six guns” from the lakeside balcony of Eichardt’s. The band, under conductor Hopwood, then played the National Anthem followed by the New Zealand national Anthem.

The crowd then dispersed and made their own amusement for the remain-

time to express it. The speaker attributed the success of the Allies to the determination of the leaders of the nations to spur their people on to victory, All arms of the services had fought heroically to bring about the peace they were celebrating today.

The conduct of the service was then handed over to the Rev. P. C. Williams. To the - accompaniment of the Boys Band under conductor Hopwood the Jtew Zealand national anthem was sung followed by the hymn “ Praise my soul. ’ ’ The opening prayers were given by Rev. P. C. Williams and the Scripture reading by Captain Roberts.

A very appropriate address was given by the Rev. P. Anderson from portion of Ist Timothy, 6th chapter. The theme of his address was thankfulness to God and the reasons for which we gave this thanks; the discoveries wo had made of one another and the heroism and self-sacrifice in the cause of freedom. If they acceptor! the challenge of God, let them profit by the lessons taught them by the war. When the peace has been celebrated he strongly exhorted everyone not to drift back. There were greater heights to climb if the peace is to bo maintained. They must nerve themselves for the great task ahead. Let us give thanks to God for victory, concluded the speaker. The hymn “Now thank we ail oui God,” closing prayers by Lieutenant Manson and the National Anthem brought the service to a close. The retiring collection for relief of distress In Asia realised £7 odd. THE PROCESSION The main attraction in the afternoon was a procession led by returned servicemen followed by the Fire Brigade, decorated motor vehicles and school children in costume. The procession assembled at the High School and proceeded via the main streets to the

borough reserve near to the Railway offices. The lorries were occupied by young women in fancy costumes. The long train of costumed children and

many adults, some with masks and blackened faces and long trains made for a spectacular display. At the waterfront a programme of children’s races took place followed by an amusfootball match between the men and girls who had exchanged their attire. OTHER EVENTS

In the early evening the Girl Guides and Boy Scouts were permitted to make a victory bonfire in Dr. Anderson’s vacant section. The day was rounded oil by a successful dance in tho Garrison hall which was well attended by local nad district people. Character was given the occasion by the free use of the tri-colours.