ANZAC DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22246, 26 April 1934, Page 10

ANZAC DAY

OBSERVANCE IN AUSTRALIA REVERENT CEREMONIES. (United Press Association.} (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.} BRISBANE, April 25. (Received April 26, at 1.15 a.m.) Anzac commemoration services in Sydney were spoiled by rain, but the customary reverent ceremonies were carried out. Fifteen thousand people of all ages participated in an impressive service at the Cenotaph at dawn. ‘ Sixteen thousand war veterans took part in a spectacular march through cha city in the forenoon to the Domain for a united service, at which 60,000 people assembled, the New Zealand ex-service-men being almost at the head of the procession, Maimed men were conveyed to the service in motor cars. The Governor in mufti took his place with the Imperial troops. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith was a prominent figure at the head of the Plying Corps. A pathetic sight was the presence of 38 blind soldiers marching with their old battalions. Five of their original number had died within the last three months of last year, Mr Stanley Bruce and Mr B. S. Stevens attended the Donliain service, which was led by Archbishop Mowll. The Cenotaph at Martin place in Sydney was almost hidden with wreaths and floral tributes, including those of General Sir lan Hamilton and the Commonwealth and State Governments, Appropriate services were held in the cathedrals, suburban and country churches. In Melbourne at dawn services were conducted at the Shrine of Remembrance, and at all soldiers’ institutes in the provincial cities of Victoria. Later men who took part in the Anzac campaign 25,000 strong marched through the city, preceded by 250 cars carrying war nurses and disabled soldiers to the Cenotaph in front of Parliament House. Among the wreaths placed on the Cenotaph was one from the Victorian Council Against War, “In memory ,of fallen comrades,” to' which a card was attached bearing offensive words. Officers of the Returned Soldiers League erased the offending words and returned the wreath to the Cenotaph. OUTRAGE AT BRISBANE. STONE SMEARED WITH PAINT. BRISBANE, April 25. (Received April 26, at 1.15 a.m.) The main Anzac gathering to-day wks held at Toowong Cemetery at the Cross of Sacrifice, and the Stone of Remembrance. Crowds were horrified to find the base smeared with red paint and several profane inscriptions which could not be removed before the ceremony. They were a source of pain, particularly to relatives of the fallen.