MEMORIAL DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25216, 31 May 1945, Page 6

MEMORIAL DAY

AJIEEICAN_WAR BEAD SERVICE AT WAIKUMETE A brief and simple but impressive service was conducted before the graves of American servicemen at Waikumete Cemetery yesterday, which was the United States' Memorial Day. On this day, the equivalent of New Zealand's Auzac Day, homage is paid to American war dead. Service and civilian representatives gathered before the graves of Americans who have died in this area as the result of wounds, illness or accident, shortly before 11 o'clock yesterday morning. The Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, was represented by Commodore \\ . K. D. Dowding, D.S.C., H.N. Detachments of the United States Army, Navy and .Marine Corps and of the New Zealand Navy, Army and Air Force were drawn up on the Auckland side of the American section of the cemetery, facing the flagstaff and the official party, which gathered before the plaque near the pathway, From the staff, the American flag flew at half-mast. The Papakura Military Hand played appropriate music.

A prayer of invocation was led by the Bishop of Auckland, the Rt. Hev. W. J. Simkin, and a short address was given by the Mavor, Mr J. A. C. Allum.

New Zealand's Responsibility "The history of the United States of America commences with a fight for freedom," said Mr Allum. "It is natural, therefore, that the people of the United States regard freedom not only as a great abstract right, but as something real and alive." Americans had sought the way of peaCe, but once their freedom had been assailed they i had not hesitated to take up the sword. 1 The men in tins hallowed ground and I i'any of their comrades had given j their lives that the people of New Zealand might lit l spared the horrors of; invasion bv the Japanese. ''These men have died for us, and we must see to it that their sacrifice shall not be in vain," the Mayor continued. "It is the duty of all of us to strive for enduring peace in the world and I think that we in New Zealand are charged] with the particular responsibility of seeing that the bonds of friendship be-' tween the people of the United States and ourselves shall be strengthened, and tolerating nothing which may tend to weaken them." Americans' Appreciation In reply, tho senior United States officer in Auckland, Lieutenant-Colonel L. \Y. Nickerson, said that they had gathered to pay tribute to their comrades. They stood on consecrated ground, made holy by their presence. They might have fallen 0.. forgotten soil, alone and unattended, but they were here among friends, and their graves would receive attendance from friends. "To these- friends, our New Zealand hosts, we say thank you," LieutenantColonel Nickerson continued. "We .can give no greater tribute than that we leave these, our honoured dead, in your care. You took them into your life and your homes, and mothers, fathers and wives will have a peace in the knowledge that their loved ones lie with friends." Many Official Wreaths Official wreaths were laid and a threevolley salute was fired hv a Marine Corps firing squad. A marine bugler | then played "Taps." A number of in- ! dividual wreaths were laid. The following placed official wreaths lat the plaque:—Commodore Dowding. | Mr A. S. Richards. M P., representing the Government: Mr Allum; Mr .T. C. Ftiess. American consulate; Captain D. A. Bingley, 0.8. K., R.N., New Zealand Navy; Brigadier A. B. Williams, D.5.0.. New Zealand Army; SquadronLeader J. N. Mackenzie, D.F.C.. NewZealand Air Force: Lieutenant-Colonel Nickerson. United States Marine Corps; Lieutenant-Colonel L. G. Hanley, United States Army; Lieutenant J. B. Rigsins. United States Navy; Mr A. P. Postlewaite. Auckland Returned Services Association; Mr E. Elliott, the Officers' Club; Mr E. L. Thwaites. Second N.Z.E.F. Association. Other official visitors included Maior-General P. H. Bell. D.5.0., and the Rev. A. Astor.

Wronths wore also sent by the Royal I'ln pire Society, the Nary League, the Victoria League, the Royal Society of St. George and the Overseas League.

WELLINGTON CEREMONY WIDOWS UNVEIL OREGON PINE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday The graves of United States servicemen in the Karori Cemetery were bright today with floral tributes and miniature American flags when an informal observance of Memorial Day was held. New Zealand widows of American servicemen unveiled an orecon pine planted in the cemetery by New Zealand friends of troops who were stationed here, and a short service was held over the grave of the first American war casualty to be buried in Wellington. The United States Minister in New Zealand, Mr Patton, was present, also the acting-Prime Minister, Mr Nash.

NEW FOG SIGNALS CENTRAL CONTROL SYSTEM A decision to instal electricallvoperated fog signals at Birkenhead, Northcoto, Bayswater and Stanley Bay wharves, at an estimated cost of £'Bo each, was made at a meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board. The engineersuperintondent, Mr I). Holderness, reported that, by concentrating the sound from the fog signal 011 Bayswater Wharf along the dredged channel, it might be found unnecessary to instal additional devices on the outer beacon. A sounding box was already fixed to the beacon.

The Post and Telegraph Department ■was now willing to provide telephone circuits suitable for the operation.of relays, so that fog signals on the south side of the harbour—with the exception of the Westhaven breakwater signal —might be switched 011 and off from the harbourmaster's office at Queen's Wharf, reported Mr Holderness. The cost of the relays and installation would be about £IOO, and the department's annual charge for the circuits would be £6O 10s.

Mr Holderness and the harbourmaster, Captain H. H. Sergeant, also recommended an additional signal at the end of Prince's Wharf at a cost of £BO. This had been requested by the ferry steamer masters and the manager of the Devonport Steam Ferry Co Captain ,T. Forbes. The cost of the control system included this new signal. The recommendations were adopted At present, members of the harbourmaster s staff have to take taxis to turn the foe; signals on and ofT on the southern side of the harbour. Often they hare just finished their rounds when the fog lifts and they have to return to turn off the signals. Previously, they made the round bv bicvcle

REHABILITATION OFFICE A reduction in the hours of public business has been made bv the Auckland office of the Rehabilitation Department as a result of the great increase in the number of interviews granted to returned service men and women and the even greater volume of offiee and and administrative work required. Tn place of the former day from R a.m. to a p.m. the office will in future open at 9 a.m. and close at 3.30 p.m. Tt will also be open for three hours on Saturday.