Rongotea

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 97, 27 April 1938, Page 12

Rongotea

From Our Own Correspondent. Anzac Day Combined Service. The heavy rain which set in on Sunday evening and continued until noon on Alonday, threatened to spoil the attendance at the local commemoration service, but conditions improved during the early afternoon with the result that the Coronation hall was filled to capacity when the service commenced at two o'clock. The chair was taken by Air L. H. Yarrell, chairman of the Town Board, who was one of the original coihmitt'ee who inaugurated the commemoration service in Rongotea. He extended a welcome to the large number of ex-servicemen present. Thanks to the attendance of the Palmerston North Salvation Army Band, which played for the hymns, the singing was very bright, the Ihrgq congregation joining whole-heartedly in the singing Of "Lead Kindly Light.” "The Recessional,” "O Cod our help in Ages Past” and "Abide With Ale.” Thu Scripture reading, David’s encounter with the Philistine, was taken by Alajor D. Taylor, of Palmerston North. The llev. H. Barnett, of Bulls, delivered a thoughtful and earnest address, taking as his theme ‘'Service Through Sacrifice.” He stressed the sacrifice made bv all who had taken part in the Great War. those who had laid down their lives and those who had returned injured and maimed, pointing out that these men had followed the example set by the Patron Saints of the British Isles. The speaker then briefly gave an outline of the salient points in the lives of these men, showing that their:, had been truly service through sacrifice. After the service at the hall there was a genera] parade of Rangers. Guides, each with their colours, ex-servicemen and representative citizens, led by the band, to the War Memorial, where a brief but impressive ceremony was held. After the placing of the wreaths, the band gave a rendering of "Nearer Aly God to Thee, ’ the ceremony ending with the "Last Post.”

As has been the custom for many years past, visitors were entertained at afternoon tea in the hall, where a ladies* committee headed by Airs L. H. Yarrall, acted as hostesses. Presiding at afternoon tea, Air W. A. Churchill expressed thanks to the ladies who had given so much time and labour for their entertainment, to the Rev. H. Barnett for his services and to the Salvation Army Band who had sr largely contributed to the success of the gathering, and who year after year had reserved the afternoon of Anzac Day for the Rongotea service. He also paid tribute to Messrs B. H. Yarrall, J. Glover jnr., and W. J. Croucher, the three original members of the committee who had inaugurated the local Anzac Service, ahd through the years had carried it on, and he assured the committee of the appreciation of ex-servicemen and their wholehearted co-operation on future occasions.

Air L. H. Yarrall also voiced his appreciation of the services of the retiring secretary, All* H. V. Caverhill, who had acted in this capacity for many years, of Air A. C. Trenkner, who is ably carrying on the work, and of Air A. Slmonsen. who had generously spent the whole morning in preparing the hall for the service.

The remainder of a pleasant social hour was taken up in enjoyable and spirited choruses led by the members of the band,

conducted by Air Yorke who. in conclusion, mentioned that the band always looked forward with pleasant anticipation to their afternoon in Rongotea, and considered i< a privilege to be present.