PRESENTATION OF MEMORIALS AT KAKANUI.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14038, 22 April 1920, Page 3

PRESENTATION OF MEMORIALS AT KAKANUI.

The Ivakanui Athenaeum was crowded 011 Thursday afternoon, when beautiful framed memorials wen; presented to the relatives of those local soldiers who had fallen in the (treat War. Mr Elder apologised for the absence of Mr Boaden, the Chairman of the Patriotic Committee, and expressed his satisfaction at the large gathering. He then handed over the conduct of the service to the Yen. Archdeacon Russell, who, with several robed members ,of St. .Luke's choir and Rev. P. C. Rennie, occupied the platform. Miss Dale presided iit the organ, and the various hymns were feelingly sung by the choir and congregation. Archdeacon Russell spoke from St. John 15:13. "Greater love hath no mah than this that a man lay down his life for his friends." He dwelt on the pride with which we remembered the gallant exploits of our New Zealand soldiers in the various theatres of war, and the thankfulness for their devotion and self-sacrifice. The whole community felt a true sympathy for those parents and relatives who had suffered bereavement and wished to show it in some tangible manner. The sorrow was minglecfwith pride that their boys had been faithful unto death and with thankfulness that they had given their precious lives in a noble "cause. Rev. P. C-. Rennie spoke feelingly of the heroism of "our" boys and of the courageous spirit of those parents who had suffered bereavement. He then presented Mr Southgate with the memorial picture of his son, Sergeant Henry Southgate, and gave a similar cue to Mr Maffey in memory of lain, Private Horace Maffey. The Archdeacon presented the memorial certificate for Private Godfrey Harry Steele Barnett to his brother (for Mrs Barnettl and that, for Private Richard Grenfcll to his aunt. The recipients gratefully and feelingly responded to the kind gift. The Archdeacon remarked that two other Kakanui boys had been killed. Private Alex. E. Cooper was an orphan with no known relatives, and the relation's of Private Lewis Wright did not desire such a memorial of his sacrifice or it would have been forthcoming. At the conclusion of the impressive service., the clergy and choir were entertained at afternoon tea by the ladies of the Patriotic Committee, and llr Elder voiced the appreciation of the Kakanui people for their valuable •assistance. Trie Archdeacon thanked the ladies for their hospitality and expressed' the pleasure of his choir and himself 111 helping in so good a cause. There were indebted to Messrs Bulkeley, Geo. Boaden, and Clererley for the kind use of their motor cars for the trip.