COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16213, 26 April 1916, Page 4

COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT.

TOWN HALL GATHERING.

SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMME. The commemoration of Anzac Day was concluded in the Town Hall last night, when a very successful conceit was given in honour of the returned men. The Governor and the Count-ess of Liverpool, thy Mayor and Mayoress, the Hons. A. M. Myers, J. A. Hanan, and Dr. M. Pomare were among those present. The returned men were accommodated in reserved seats, and their relatives were seated in the body of the hall. When tho strains of the National Anthem marked tho commencement of the concert the whole of the accommodation was taken up. Mr. Maughan Barnett played a military march on the organ, after which Mr. Barry Coney eflectivelv sang, " The Floral Dance." Tho Auckland Choral Society, under Mr. Maughan Barnctt, rendered a delightful madrigal, " The World Was No Clanging Discord Then." composed by the conductor. Miss Jessie Bartlett. who was in excellent voice, sang " The Enchantress." Several humorous recitations were contributed by Mr. A. twain. Signal success was achieved by the Chord Society in its rendering of the glee, The Bells of St. Michael's Tower," and the part song, "0, Hush Thee, My Baby," The Choral Society sang a locally-composed marching song. written and set to music for the Auckland section of the Expeditionary Force. Other items were an organ solo, " Goodnight," from Nevin's "A Day in Venice." and Soldiers' Chorus," from Gounod's "Faust," and two songs by Miss Bartlett.

OBSERVANCE IN TEE COUNTRY.

UNITED • SERVICES HELD.

At, Hamilton there was a procession to the Lake Reserve, where a largo demonstration was held. This took the form of a combined service, and an address by Mr. Joseph Clark. Many returned wen, the territorials, the National Reserve, and the W'aikato Regimental Band took part, j At the conclusion, a firing party, under. Sergeant-Major Furdom, fired three volleys, and the last post was sounded by Bugler Allen, in honour of the departed. Anzac Day was observed as a close holiday in W'hangarci. A public meeting in the Town Hall ill the evening was addressed by the Mayor and other promt nent citizens. A large number of people from all parts of Ohinemnri assembled at Paeroa. The celebration was held in the Domain. and a targe number of returned soldiers from Auckland attended. The Revs. Dobson, Robinson, and Field, and Captain Inglis, of the Salvation Army, gave addresses, and hymns were sung. The visiting soldiers were entertained at a dinner last night. Anzac Day was fittingly celebrated in Te Awamutii. A long procession of returned soldiers, cadets, National Reserve, fire brigade, and school children, headed by the municipal band, marched to the Domain, where addresses were delivered by the local clergy, and Mr. B. McGechie, acting-Mayor. The public attended in large numbers. A service in memory of the fallen heroes at Gallipoli was held in the Cambridge Town Hall yesterday afternoon. There was a large" attendance. The Mayor, Mr. M. Wells, presided. Addresses were given by the Mayor, the Revs. C. H. Garland, W. J. Gow, and G. S. Cook, and Captain Vivian, of the Salvation Army. Several anthems were sung by a choir of 40 voices, under the conductorship of Mr, D. Congalton, and a number of well-known hymns were sung by the whole assemblage. At St. Andrew's Church a handsome font cover was dedicated to the memory of the late Private C. H. Boyce, who died as the result of wounds received at Gallipoli. A half-holiday was observed at Rotorua. A united service was held in the Government gardens in the afternoon, attended by upwards of 1000 people, including many returned soldiers, senior cadets, and boy and girl scouts. The Anglican clergy did not participate, the Bishop of Waiapu having forbidden them to take part in united services, but a large proportion of Anglicans were present. Mr. W. Hill, resident officer, presided, and gave a patriotic address. Addresses were also given by the Revs. D. Hird and F. W. Stubbs '(Presbyterian) and H. T. Peat (Methodist). Prayers were offered by Mr. Peat and Captain Whitley, of the Salvation Army. The latter also read as the lesson Psalm lxxii. Mr. Hird pronounced the Benediction. Private Olds pang "There's a Land." The hymns, -0 God, Our Help," and "Fight the Good Fight," and Kipling's " Recessional" were sung. The proceedings were most impressive. In the evening the returned soldiers were entertained at dinner at the sanatorium by Dr. A. S. Herbert, who had received a cheque from tho Wanganui Jockey Club for the entertainment of soldiers. He also took them to a theatre party.

SERVICES IN SOUTHERN CITIES.

PROCESSIONS OF RETURNED MEN.

A general holiday was observed at Wellington in connection with the Anzac Day celebrations. The weather was fine. The chief event in the afternoon, says the Press Association, was the memorial service in the Town Hall. The building was packed, thousands being unable to gain admittance. The ministers of several denominations took part, the Rev. Dr. Gibb delivering a stirring oration. Special sen-ices for the dead were held in the morning at the Catholic churches and at the Synagogue. At Hatt in the afternoon the Prima Minister and Sir Joseph Ward spoke at a memorial service. A patriotic meeting held in the Town Hall, Wellington, in the evening adopted a resolution of loyalty to the Throne, of admiration for the gallantry of the New Zealand, Australian, and other British troops, and of sympathy with the relatives of thuso fallen in the Empire's cause. Mr. Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, and Captain Simson were the principal speakers. A close holiday was observed at Christchurch. Massed service was held in Cranmer Square in the afternoon. The Anglican and Catholic cathedrals had special services. The former was attended by a large number of Anzacs--an impressive sight. Bishop Julius referred feelingly to the men who had lost their lives in the war. The Roman Catholic bishop, the Right Rev. Dr. Brodie, also preached a stirring sermon. Ships at Lyttelton were gay with bunting, the American survey vessel Carnegie being specially dressed in honour of the memory of the Anzaes. A half-holiday was observed at Dunedin. The weather was perfect. A large crowd watched a procession of returned soldiers, in which about 170 men participated. A short service was held at the Town Hall after the procession. An intercessory service was held in First Church at mid-day. and a united service in His Majesty's Theatre in the evening- The women of the Olago Recruiting Committee placed wreaths on the graves' of soldiers in Dunedin cemeteries, and also on the fallen soldier?' memorial in the Oval, in remembrance of all heroes now at rest. Similar observances elsewhere are also reported by the Press Association. At Napier the foundation stone of the newSoldiers' Club was laid by the Mayor. At Ashbnrton the Hon. W. Eraser, Minister for Public Works, delivered a patriotic address at a service in the Domain.