ARMISTICE DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19792, 12 November 1927, Page 12

ARMISTICE DAY.

TWO MINUTES' SILENCE.

OBSERVANCE IN AUCKLAND.

SOLDIERS' GRAVES REMEMBERED

Tho Armistice Day interval of silence was faithfully and reverently observed by the great mass of Auckland people yesterday. Watching the bustling pre-occu-pied crowds that thronged Queen Street just before 11 a.m., busy about their own affairs, one could not help wondering how many would be prepared to respond to the call. The answer came convincingly enough with tho boom of the big gun in Albert Park as the hour struck. In parts of Queen Street even the sound of the gun was drowned by the roar of traffic, but some heard it and that was enough. Traffic was halted almost in an instant, and all men's hats were removed as at a word of command. Some drivers seemed momentarily surprised to find the traffic pointsman barring their way when the road was evidently clear, but the explanation soon, dawned Conspicuous, a few stragglers wandered staring at the silent bareheaded groups until, slowly, understanding came to them, and they, too, uncovered and joined in the great, solemn, national act of remembrance.

The boom of the gun sounded a second time—crashing loud through the silence, and the life of the city began to surge again as suddenly as it had ceased. The historic anniversary was marked by many special gatherings and addresses. In the schools the period of silence was observed, and opportunity was taken to explain the meaning of the occasion and to speak of the ideals of the League of Nations. A special service, attended by pupils from the schools of the surrounding district, was held at O'Neill's Point Cemetery at 10.45 a.m. Very fittingly reverent attention was paid during the day to soldiers' graves. Representatives of the Victoria League and of the Returned Soldiers' Association laid wreaths of remembrance on the monument at Waikuxaete, Miss J. Mowbray representing the Victoria League, and Mr. E. H. Sharp the Returned Soldiers' Association. Mr. Sharp emphasised the point that living veterans of war should be remembered as well as the dead. Sprigs of rosemary for remembrance were laid on each grave by ladies. Similar tributes were paid in the cemeteries at Wai karaka and Purewa by Onehunga school children and the Tamaki Girl Guides. The occasion was observed at St. Matthew's by the celebration of Holy Communion at 10.30 a.m. and ths subse quent observance of the two minutes silence. There was a commemoration ser vice shortly after noon when the Last Post was sounded and the Dead March played. During the afternoon an inter cessory service was held. In the evening a special service was held at King's College, Middlemore, when four memorial windows in memory of ex-pupils who fell in the Great War were dedicated by Archbishop Averill.