ANZAC DAY IN FRANCE.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3794, 16 July 1917, Page 3

ANZAC DAY IN FRANCE.

GREAT SPORTS GATHERING. Lieutenant Frank Ccok, the wellknown Christchurch footballer and New Zealand hurdle champion (who | was reported wounded in the casulty | list issued recently), in a letter j to his mother, Mrs J. Cook, of Irvine Street, Lower Riccarton, gives a most interesting- description of a sports gathering that was held at one of the New Zealand base depots in France to celebrate Anzac Day. Lieutenant Cook (says the Christchurch "P.ress," was appointed to represent the New Zealand depot on the Sports Committee—the Australians and New Zealanders were the only two parties—and, as he remarks, the Australians had many more men to draw on than the New Zealanders, though eventually the latter more than held their* own. The programme drawn up was as follows : —New Zeaj land v. Australia, Rug-by football ; i Australia v. Australia, Australian j football ; 220 yds. and 100 yds. flat; a | flag relay race and a tug-of-war, New Zealand v. Australia, ten men aside. Lieutenant Cook had the picking of the New Zealand representatives, and as he states, this was no easy task. However, after various trials, he got ! his teams together, and his selection of the football fifteen caused considerable comment, though subse- ! quent events proved the wisdom of j his picking. I The * great day arrived, very fine I but a bit windy. In the morning there w"|s a commemoration service, arnHn the afternoon the great parade moved out of camp to the sports .ground—a great sight. At the sports I ground, two miles away, a body of i Maoris was stationed as a guard of honour to the General. At the end of the football ground was a large hill, which was absolutely packer 1 I with troops, and) dotted here and there amongst thte khaki were sisters I and nurses. After the Australia v. Australia match, the 100 yds. was run, and the New Zealand sprinter won handsomely from six Australians. Then came the Rugby match, and the Maorilanders won a great [victory 'by 30 points to nil. Next came the 220 yds., and again the New Zealand sprinter breasted the tape first, w*hile the New Zealanders also got away with the relay race, though had to admit defeat in the t)ug-of-war. Later there was a concert, at which the Maoris greatly distinguished themselves by giving a fine bsaka. At 8 p.m. a dinner was given for all the Gallipoli-landing heroes, and a great spread and extensive toasb-list occupied the rest of the evening. The whole day was greatly enjoyed by officers and men alike.