WAIKUMETE SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20239, 26 April 1929, Page 15

WAIKUMETE SERVICE.

PILGRIMAGE WITH FLOWERS. ARMY CHAPLAIN'S ADDRESS. THE DAY OF THE CITIZENS. To Waikumete Cemetery yesterday was made a great pilgrimage with flowers. The short service held each Anzac Day there in the shadow of the soldiers' memorial, hy the graves of men who died after their ■return from the theatres of war, provides Auckland's closest association with the sacrificial realities of war. Flowers were heaped high around the stone memorial and on the soldiers plots. Adding to the tributes of relatives and friends the Victoria League also placed a laurel wreath on each soldier's grave. Sharp bursts of rain had not deterred the pilgrims. Fortunately at the hour of the service the weather cleared, and the simple open-air gathering, presided over by the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, was carried out without the discomforts which had earlier threatened.

Led by the Municipal Band the congregation sang the hymn, "All People That On Earth Do Dwell," and Mr. G. Knight, a member of the City Council, read the lesson. Following the singing of "0 God, Our Help in Ages Past," the Rev. Angus Mac Donald, former chaplain to the forces, gave an inspiring and forceful address.

"We have come out in the rain to-day because the memory of the men who fell in defence of our homes is very dear to us," said the preacher. "We are here to commemorate the sacrifice made by those men—our sons, your sons, my comrades, and the comrades of more who are here to-day. God gave ns the gift of memory. H 9 also gave us something more—the power to mourn. There is pride and dignity in our mourning." The preacher spoke with gratitude of the splendid spirit of the men who had died. He had seen them die—had knelt down on bare floors and in the mud to hear their last request. Invariably it was the same. "If you live to go back, sir, tell them we died for New Zealand, that we were proud to die for New Zealand. So long as they are free at home our death does not matter much."

"I beg of you, citizens, never to let this day out of your hands," said Mr. Mac Donald, in closing. "Do not let any military or any other organisation take it from you. It is the women's day, the parents' day, the citizens' day."

The playing of the Last Post and the Hallelujah Chorus concluded a brief but intensely impressive service. A service was also held at O'Neill's Point Cemetery yesterday afternoon, when appropriate addresses were given. In accordance with its practice the Victoria League placed a wreath of laurels on the graves of the soldiers buried there, the wreaths being made by the Takapuna Girl Guides. In addition the league placed 356 wreaths on graves at Waikumete and 48 at Purewa. . The Navy League placed wreaths on sailors' graves at Waikumete.

OBSERVANCE IN SOI'TH.

PARADES AND SERVICES.

LARGE PUBLIC GATHERINGS. Ceremonies commemorating Anzac Day were held in all cities and centres in the south yesterday and the services attracted large attendances, state Press Association messages. In all the major centres there were parades of returned men, territorials and cadets and special church services were held.

The services in Wanganui were largely attended. The Maori service in Moutoa Gardens was impressive and marked the first appearance in Wanganui of Bishop Bennett. Later at a combined service in Cook's Gardens about 7000 people were present. In Christchurch there was a parade of ex-soldiers, territorials and cadets, in which 800 returned men took part. Afterwards a service was held in King Edward Barracks, at which Professor Shelley delivered the address. A large number of wreaths were laid at the appointed spot in front of the Cathedral. At Timaru the main service was attended by thousands and the parade, which was a large one, was comprised of returned soldiers, South African veterans and territorials. Major Gilrav, of Dunedin, the principal speaker, gave a sterling address. Beautiful weather prevailed in Dunedin. A large number of returned soldiers paraded and, in company with several volunteer units, assembled in the Queen's Gardens, where a short military service was conducted in front of the Returned Soldiers' Memorial. The troops thei marched to Kensington Drill Hall, where the Rev. W. Maclean, of Oamaru, delivered an inspiring address. In the morning a short service was conducted at scljpols and in the evening at the various churches. Jn accordance with the wish expressed by the Governor-General that the day should be observed as one of Empire achievement rather than as a day of mourning the flag was flown at the truck.