Silence Honoured “In the Breach”

Northern Advocate, 11 November 1939, Page 7

Silence Honoured “In the Breach”

At 11 a.m. today two minutes’ silence was to be observed to mark the anniversary of armistice day. The silence was “observed” in Whangarei streets more in the breach than in the observance. When the Lifebuoy clock chimed the hour a telegraph boy lowered the flag on the Whangarei Post Office. A few people moved to the kerb and stood silent. A motor car or two moved up the road. Probably 30 seconds later a small car pulled suddenly' to the side of the road and the engine cut out. The driver had realised the time. Typewriter Clicks. From an upstairs office a typewriter clicked. At a mipute past 11 a man dashed from a shop. He saw some people standing, so stopped in his tracks and whipped off his hat. But still others continued to walk up and down the street and converse. In the main stores a gong was sounded and shop assistants stood in silence. Not all customers followed suit. At two minutes past 11 the telegraph boy took in the flag. Men and women who had stood silent moved again and business continued as usual. Auckland Remembers.

Auckland reverently observed the two minutes’ silence for Armistice day, industry and traffic stopping on the stroke of 11 in response to the thunder of the first signal gun.

In city streets traffic officers threw their white-clad hands above their heads, and other officials stood at the s f alutc.

The Last Post was sounded and a second gun awakened the city once more.

In front of the Cenotaph on the Domain Hill crest, a silent crowd paid tributes to th*e lives of those who had been killed in the last war.

Wreaths were laid on the base of the Cenotaph by representatives of the three Defence Services, local bodies, and school children.

Captain Judson, V.C., was in charge of the brief ceremony.