SERVICE IN TOWN HALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17765, 26 April 1921, Page 6

SERVICE IN TOWN HALL.

. DEEP SENSE OF DEVOTION. . HEROISM OF THE LANDING. 'ennobling IMPULSES. Tho commemoration service held in the Town Hall was worthy of the 17.000 men ■ who laid down their lives on the altar of duty. There was a markedly hallowed ' atmosphere and a deep sense of devotion , possessed tho gathering which filled tho building. There was not a jarring note. Many were mourners for their own kin; [ all were mourners for tho great company of tho departed. In such an atmosphere there was no place for tho idle spectator. The service was inspirational. It could not have failed to stir tho slowest imagination. Uno felt filled with deep sorrow ' over the loss of so many young men of ! the raco who " gave their to-morrow for j our to-day," but also with ennobling impulses which had been roused by thoughts of tho glorious sacrifice, the selflessness and devotion and courageous high purposo of the men who did not return. Notwith- ! standing tho sense of irretrievable loss many felt as R f>. Stevenson must have felt when he wrote of "the happy-starred" warrior, "trailing clouds of glory/' passing into the spiritual land. Many seemed to feel that these men who carried the torch of patriotism, of sacrifice, of freedom, and of chivalry to tho gates of death died well. They realised that these bravo men passed in a great moment in a great cause, with hearts aglow with lofty emotions, but calm with that peace which is tho reward for honourable service in a j good cause. Solemn Dignity the Keynote. i Solemn dignity was the keynote of the ! service. As" the returned soldiers tiled into tho hall, those already in the galleries j stood. Gradually the ground floor filled. j There was a short round of applause as I the old veterans came in. As the firing pattv from H.M.S. Philomel filed in with reversed arms, tho city organist played i suitable music, and the whole concourse I remained standing until tho .Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, and the official party passed i down the centre aisle to tho platform. j He was accompanied by Mrs. Gunson, Commander J. Walsh, and Commissioned Gunner Tregellis of H.M.S. Philomel, Major-General Sir E. W. C. Chaytor, general officer commanding the New Zealand Forces; Colonel H. R. Potter, officer : commanding tho district and officers of his staff; Colonel C. E. R. Mackcsy, in command of the parade of returned soldiefs; Lieutenant C. R. G. Btuisett, V.C.; Lieutenant R. S Judson, V.C; Private W. Crichton, V.C; Captain- G, Eliott, president of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association, and the members of the esecutivo of that body; Mr. 11. D. Heather, chairman of tho Harbour Board, and the. speakers. Among those on the platform were numbers of Parliament, representatives of the judiciary and local bodies. Three verse.; of the National Anthem and the hymn " All People that on Earth do Dwell" were sung, after which a prayer was offered bv the Rev. Percy Cooke. Dr. A. W. Averiil, Anglican Bishor) of Auckland, then delivered an address, this beinc followed bv tho hymn " For All the Saints." The Rev. D. C. Herron then spoke, and the hymn, " 0 God, Our Help in Ages Past," "sung. The last speaker was Commiss-oner H. C. Hodder, of the Salvation Army. " The Dead March," in "Saul" was then played most impressively by the city organist, the firingparty standing with bowed heads. _ 'Die Recessional was sung, after which a cadet trumpet band sounded the " Last Post," tho service concluding with a verse of the National Anthem. Gteat Ohain oi Noble Deeds.

In his address, Dr. AveriU said it was a maltev for great thankfulness to the civic authorities, the Returned Soldiers' Association, and the relatives and friends of their dead heroes that each Anzac Day made a deeper and more solemn appeal to the consciousness and imagination of the citizens of the Dominion to preserve it as a day of thankful and thoughtful remembrance of the deeds that contributed to the coming of age of thin young and vigorous nation, and its right to claim a place in the rank 3 of chivalry and knighthood. He paid special credit to the- Returned Soldiers' Association for contending vigorously for the public observance of Anzac Day, and its recognition as a solemn rather than a holiday day. That they had attained their object was due mainly to their own disinterestedness and their desire only to honour and keep alive the memory of those comrades, who, in making their great sacrifice, had been denied the privilege of seeing the fruits of their sacrifice' and entering into tn» joy of victory and peace. April 25 was now established by public sentiment, apart even from the Government statute, as New Zealand's day of remembrance. The fact that the day was held in honour of all New Zealand's sorrS in no way detracted from the unique position of Gallipoli. The heroism of the landing and the subsequent heroism stood, and would always staad, as the crowning peak in the great chain of mountain heights, that great chain of noble deeds which were rightly associated with the New Zealanders.

the bishop referred to his recent visit to the battlefields of France and Flandere, and in graplric terms described the scenes whero great deed 3 were done, and he drew a picture of the horrors which were endured. After referring to Palestine and Mesopotamia, he said be felt that any acknowledgment of what tho soldiers had endured were poor acknowledgments unless the recognition of the sacrifice was burned into their souls. After peace returned it was easy to forget the meaning of the sacrifices, and to forget that but for the grit and determination of the " boys" victory might have been celebrated ebwiwhere.

The Best Monument. In conclusion, tho bishop urged his hearers not to allow the clouds which overhung the world and the petty disputes blind their eyes to the splendid sacrifice of the " boys." In expressing his satisfaction at the fact that monuments were being erected to the memory of the fallen everywhere, tho bishop said the best monument they could erect was tho determination in their hearts to carry on the work begun. Let them carry on in the spirit of tho soldiers who were faithful unto death. Let their death be an inspiration. * The Rev. D. G Herron, M.C., said it had been the greatest honour of his life to have been allowed to work and live with the men of tho New Zealand division in France. He 6poke of the mourners who, while feeling pride in their sons, had poignant loneliness in their hearts, but said that when they saw further into tho Divine plan they would know it had not beer, waste. Sacrifice was the law of life. Their fathers had made sacrifice. They had left their homeland, crossed the seas, fought the enemy, and the hillside, the swamp, and the bush, and had made a great and good laud. They had lived hard lives. They had worked lcjig and laborious days, and had not received much return themselves, but they were satisfied in what they had achieved. Worthy Sons of Pioneers. Then came the call of sacrifice to the younger generation, said the speaker, and tho sons of the pioneers had obeyed. They held the torch high, and when they fell they handed it on to those who remained. Those who might have served but did not because they wanted to make money or other material gains wore the poorer for it. Ho spoko of the cheerfulness of the soldiers—that cheerfulness which increased when there was least cause for cheerfulness and showed that tho underlying cause was the knowledge that they were suffering for those they held dear. They had lived a fuller life'than if they had stayed at home and lived to I>e 80. One crowded hour of glorious life was theirs. They felt they were fighting to make tho world better, to mako for ever live the motto that right was might,

This was not the day for the people to i sink back into easy, self-centred, comfortable life, said Mr. Herron. _ Their lives had been bought with a price. If men would only apply to the task of building up the world again the heroism displayed in tho war, there was no reason why it should not rise to a lovel yet undreamed of. He reminded the audionce of those who had been crushed by the heel of war but still lived, and concluded an eloquent appeal for a better service to tho Great Leader by reciting Ncwbold's poem " Play Up and Play the Game." Commissioner H. C. Hoddor spoke on similar lines. He dwelt not only on the sacrifice of men, but of their women who had had to wait anxiously at homo. Re declared that the battlo for freedom had been the Lord's, and gavo examples of self-uacrificing devotion of comrades to comrades. He spoko of the manner in which tho Empire had united to face the common foe, and in appealing for unity now ho urged tho people lo be worthy of the sacrifices made by the soldiers. OTHER COMMEMORATIONS.

VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS. SEVERAL COMBLVED SERVICES A large congregation attended the memorial and commemoration service held at St. Matthew's Church yesterday morning, Special prayers for "tho fallen, the women, t(io sick and bereaved were said. In the course of his address tho vicar, the Rev. C. 11, Grant Covvcn, said that New Zoaland's sons were tested and tried upon the -shores of Gallipoli, and tliero they mado a namo which diverge tongues shall ever speak of with awn and reverence. How they landed in the faco of a strongly entrenched foe, and rushed tho heights, many falling in tho effort, would be sung in song and verse long after the generation had passed away. Tho spirit of Anzac was the spirit of Flanders, it wasthe spirit of tho Somme, tho spirit of Messiner, and Passchendaele—it was the spirit of victory. What happy memories wo would always cherish of thoso dear bravo lads—wo would never picture them as old and grey, but always full of youth's enthusiasm and zeal. We would think of them as immortal and not dead, and live to greet them on the further shore where they continued in the grcatc world the tasks they here began. From the little green mounds of Gallipoli, Egypt, Palestine, France, Mesopotamia comes tho echo of a cry to us to-day urging us to do our duty, to take our part in righting the wrongs of life, and making the victory which they fought for complete, so that when our little journey was ended wo might not bo ashamed to meet once more thoso soldier lads who had fallen fighting for high ideals—faithful unto death. Services were also held at St. Paul's Church yesterday at 6.30 and 7.30 a.m. An Anzac Day memorial service was held at the Synagogue yesterday at midday. There was a largo congregation. Tho Rev. S. A. Goldstein said that trie event which, with their 'fellow-citizens, tbey bad met to celebrate, was one of great example of loyalty to duty stronger than the love of life, of the temper that dreaded dishonour more than it feared death, of the patriotism which made love of country a passion. Tho deeds of the men of Anzac should be kept in loving and lasting remembrance. The word Anzac aroused emotions of chastened pride The part the Anzac men had played in the war stamped once more the high destiny of tho British Empire as tho leader in the vanguard of progress and enlightenment, and gave new impetus to what was best in British ideals. The* ddy should stimulate their sense of responsibility as citizens of the Empire. Special services were celebrated at various Roman Catholic churches in the city and suburbs. A Solemn High Mass was held in St. Patrick's Cathedral at 9 a.m., the Bishop of Auckland, Dr. H. W. Cleary, presiding over a large congregation. Father O'Byrne was celebrant, Father Bradley deacon. Father Brennan sub-deacon, Father Holbrook roaster of ceremonies, and Father Cahill and Father Buckley assistants to the bishop. An appropriate sermon was delivered by Dr. Cleary. Special prayers were offered for the gallant men who fell during tho war. i The mass was sung by a special choir of I convent school children. I

At St. Benedict's Church solemn pontifical high mass was also held at 9 a.m. The Coadjutor-Bishop, Dr. J. M. Listen, was celebrant, Father O'Malley deacon, and Father Curley sub-deacon. The music was impressively rendered by a choir of male voices. " The Dead March" in " Saul" was played at the conclusion of tho service.

A combined service was held at Birkenhead last evening, being conducted by the clergymen of the respective denominations. There was a large attendance. The combined service held in St. Paul's Presbyterian Church at Devonport last evening was very largely attended. Those present included the Mayor, Mr. H. S. W. King, and members of the Borough Council, the Mayor of Northcoto, Mr. A. E. Greenslade, the chairman of the Hospital Board, Mr. \V. Wallace, Capfc. G. E. Eliott (president) and Mr. T. Long (secretary) or the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association. Capfc. Lillingstone, of the Salvation Army, and the Revs. C. J. Tocker, B.A. ('Presbyterian), K P. Blamires (Methodist), and J. M. Stewart (Congregational) took part in the service. Tho " Last Post" was sounded at the conclusion of the service.

A combined Anzac commemoration service was held yesterday morning in the Foresters' Theatre, Onohunga, the Rev. D. D. Scott presiding over a large attendance. The address was delivered by the Rev, H. M. Smyth, and the Revs, J. Wrigley and T. Southworth. Commandant H. C. Cook, of the Salvation Army, and, Mr. T. Edwards assisted in the service. A largely attended service was conducted at the Soldiers' Memorial at Titirangi yesterday morning by the Rev. A. Mac Donald, of Avondale, a former chaplain of, the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force. The • base of the memorial was covered by a large number of beautiful wreaths deposited by residents of the district. In the course of his remarks Mr. Mac Donald made a graceful reference to the late Mr. H. Atkinson, the donor of the memorial.

A memorial service, commemorating the sacrifice made by seamen in the Great War, was conducted by Mi'. Arthur p Cowie, Missioner to Seamen, in the Masonic Hall, Northcote, on Sunday evening. There was a large attendance of seamen. Tho National Anthem was played at the close of tho service. — V ■ YOUNG PEOPLES' SERVICE. BOY SCOUTS AT ST. MARY'S. A young peoples' scrvico was held in St. Mary's Cathedral yesterday morning Boy scouts attended in considerable force under the command of Scoutmnsters E. B. B. Boswell, Clark and others, Dr.' Clinch, Auckland commissioner, Mr. R. C. Grigsby, district commander, and Mr. E. A. Waters, secretary of the diocesan scouts, also attended. The church was tilled with young people, a number of pupils of various schools attending. The lesson was read by Mr. Horace Stebbing Tho vicar, the Rev. Percival James, gave the address, taking as his text tho words inscribed on tho memorial newly erected by the Auckland Garrison Officers' Club: "They died that wo might live." During tho address tho children stood to receivo the, King's message, and sang the National Anthem. Tho "Last Post" was sounded by a bugler, and the scouts reaffirmed tho scout promise. After a most impressive scrvico, which was remarkable for the silent reverence of so large a congregation of young people, the scouts wcro addressed outsido tho cathedral by Dr. Clinch and Mr. Stebbing. In the evening a spjcial service was held, attended by a crowded congregation and by about twenty-five clergy from Auckland Anglican churches. Tho singing of a combined choir, comprising between 120 and 130 members of different Auckland choirs, was an enjoyable feature. Canon Williams, warden of St. John's College, and late chaplain to the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, delivered an impressive address, and the scrvico was further rendered in keeping with the occasion by the playing of the " Dead March '-' and tho sounding of ths ~ Last Post,"