NZAC DAY OBSERVANCES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9955, 26 April 1918, Page 6

NZAC DAY OBSERVANCES

REPORTS FROM OTHER TOWNS. Press Association messages give the following reports of observances m other centres: — AUCKLAND, Anzac Day was commemorated by a citizens’ service in the Town Hall. A dresses were delivered by ■ Bishop Averill, the Rev. H. Steel Oaik© (chaplain to the forces) and Commissioner Hodder of the Salvation Army. Services were also held in various churches. In the evening the returned soldiers were entertained by the Mayor »nd city councillors at a smoke con;ert. _ CHRISTCHURCH. Anzac Day was celebrated by relirious services and a military parade, fhe latter was probably the largest sver' seen in Christchurch. It included 470 returned soldiers in uniform. The muster of cadets was particularly striking. One short, but very impressive, service - took place at the Anglican Cathedral, when a wreath from the Returned Soldiers’ Association was dedicated ip memory of their comrades. The wreath, which was received at the altar steps by Dean Carrington, was borne on a. Union Jack by five members of the association, who marched from the western door down the centre aisle. DUNEDIN. Anzac Day was observed by a halfholiday. A parade of returned soldiers was held in the afternoon, l followed by a public service, and a public meeting was held at night. Appropriate services were held in nearly all the churches, NAPIER. Anzac Day was celebrated by a united non-episcopal service in the morning and a gathering in the Municipal Theatre in The afternoon. A procession of returned soldiers and local military forces marched through the streets, and patriotic in memoriam speeches were delivered in the theatre by the Mayor, the member for the dsstrict, and Dr .Boxer (president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association). FEILDING. Anzac Das' was celebrated by a church parade l in the Anglican Church this morning, at which a large number of returned, officers and men were present, and a united service in a, public hall in ths ‘afternoon. All the Protestant ministers took part, and there was a very large gathering. WANGANUI. _ Anzac Day was celebrated by the holding of religious services and military demonstrations. TIMARU. The Anzac. Day service this afternoon was favoured by sunshine, and it .was one of the largest musters of uniform ever seen here. The Anzacs, territorials, cadote, and bandsmen numbered over 400 in all, including sixty returned soldiers and a Crimean veteran. Seven ministers took part. The Mayor (Mr Dialing), Mr CVaigie, M.P., and the Rev. Rogers were the speakers. , The crowd which attended was estimated to number 4000. INVERCARGILL,

Anzac Day was celebrated' in fine weather. A close holiday was observed. Services were held in all the churches in the morning, and there was a well-attended military parade, with speeches in the open, in the afternoon. A largo patriotic meeting was held in tho theatre at night. _ The public entered sympathetically into tho purpose of the day..