PEACE DAY SERVICE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 16 August 1945, Page 2

PEACE DAY SERVICE

TO-DAY'S CEREMONY AT CHURCH STEPS

SPECTACULAR AND COLOURFUL i SCENE PROCESSIONS THROUGH CITY STREETS The deep sense of relief and the spirit of thankfulness of the peo- . pie of Nelson for the end of the war were expressed by the huge crowd which attended the official Peace Day celebration at the Church Steps this morning. Something of what the occasion meant to everyone was indicated by the singinc of "O God Our Help in Ages Past," “God Defend New and the National Anthem, which welled up from the great concourse, led by the Nelson Garrison Band. It was a stirring and memorable scene as viewed from the official dais. The grey skies of the past few weks had appropriately given way to soft spring sunshine: flags rippled in the slight breeze: bunting over shop fronts gave added colour; and on the green lawns and under the trees of the Church Hill there was a kaleidoscopic array of colour, where children in plain and fancy dress waved the flags of many nations. The crowd stretched in a solid phalanx from the top of the hill to the Hardy street intersection, ar.d lined both sides of Trafalgar street as far qs Bridge street where quite a considerable number filled the intersection. Every balcony, window and advantage point, even to the roofs of buildings, held their interested watchers. The public took a keen interest in thj parade and the returned men of this and past wars were given a warm reception. After the ceremony a cheerleader set the children off in rousing cheers for the men who had helped to bring victory. The Mayor. Mr E, R. Neale, presided and addresses were given by the Mayor and Mr H. Atmore, M.P.. and a prayer was offered by the Bishop of Nelson, the Rt. Rev. P. W. Stephenson. The parades of school children, returned men, home servicemen, college boys and girls and various organisations, were led by the Salvation Army, Pipe and Garrison Bands, and the Boys’ Brigade bugle band. Representatives of local bodies, the Ministers’ Association, and the Catholic Church were on the dais. During the breaking of the New Zealand Ensign the band played the National Anthem. At the conclusion of the service Sgt. R. Whitwell sounded the “Last Post” while the Ensign was lowered, following which the Ensign was hoisted to the masthead and the •‘Reveille" sounded by the trumpeter. An impressive feature of the service was the minte’s silence in remembrance of the fallen.