ANZAC DAY

Otago Witness, Issue 3607, 1 May 1923, Page 7

ANZAC DAY

“THEIR NAME LIVETH.”

Memorial Services.

It is by the memory of such glorious and terrible deeds of heroism as Gallipoli saw on April 25. 1915, that a nation lives and endures. The eight years that have passed have not served to dim or decrease the tribute of reverent honour that goes out yearly from the nation to its splendid sons who wrote the name of “Anzac” on a glowing page of history. The official requirement that the anniversary be observed as a Sunday fits in well with the popular feeling of reverence for the day. Numerous religious services of commemoration were held here all over the city and suburbs on the 25th, and these generally were well attended and marked bv an earnest desire to honour the memories of the noble dead. Most of the services were held in c-hurehes, but some were in public halls, and in many of them all the Protestant churches combined. Altogether the day on which we in these distant islands attained nationhood and won recognition from the ancient empires of Europe was fitly celebrated. The central returned soldiers’ service was held in His Majesty’s Theatre in the afternoon, and the Council of Christian Congregations oondueted large united services in First and in Knox Church. The day. though early promising to be bright, continued dull ar.d threatening throughout, but no rain fell. On the trams and railway the usual Sunday services were maintained. Probably thousands of citizens took advantage of the holiday to visit some of the areas devastated by the flood, and see for themselves the deplorable conditions that have been freely described. TWO UNITED SERVICES. The two services held under the auspices of the Council of Christian Congregations were largely attended and exceedingly impressive. All sections of the Christian community shared in them, and denominational differences vanished in a common remembrance of the noble dead and their imperishable deeds. At Knox Church in the morning the president of the Council, the Rev. Wm. Saunders, read Psalm 46. Devotional exercises were held by the Revs.’ A. W. Kinmont, R. H. Knowles Kempton, and Tulloch Yuilie. Miss Alice Wilkinson, L.A.8., sang “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth.” Mr Chas. A. Martin played Barratt’s “Coronath” and Mendelssohn’s “War March of the Priests.” While die great congregation stood in solemn silence, Bugler Napier phtyed with deep expression the “Reveille” and the “Last Post.’’ A large, combined choir, under the leadership of Mr W. Paget Gale, sang Woodward's “Crossing the Bar” and the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Familiar and favourite hymns were sung, and a service full of feeling and uplift was closed by the National Anthem. The address was delivered by the Rev. 11. E. Bellhouse. of Trinity Methodist Church. He said: “We celebrate today not only the achievements and sacrifices of Gallipoli, but the achievements and sacrifices of all those who for our salves went to the great war and died. We pay our tribute to the Anzao heroes, but we pay tribute also to the memory of all those who for us went forth in various capacities to take their part in the greak historic struggle for righteousness and liberty, and contemplating all they did and endured on our behalf it seems to me that the words which best summarise our emotions are the words of the great apostle Paul, ‘We are debtors.’ Those of us who had to stay at home realise how much we owe to those who gave their services and adventured their lives and in so many cases sacrificed their lives for us in France and Flanders, in Palestine and at Gallipoli. For after all it was for us they went, to ensure our safety, to preserve inviolate our shores, to keep untarnished tho honour of our women and children, to render secure all we hold most precious and dear. They were our representatives, and we are therefore emphatically their debtors. We are their

everlasting debtors as citizens, as members of the Empire and as individuals. Especially are we debtors to those who for our sake made the supreme sacrifice, paid the great price. We are their hopeless, their eternal debtors.’’ Mr Bellhouso than laid stress upon our general indebtedness—to the past for all of good and noble and true which it had bequeathed to us. to the present for the opportunities it a {birds of social service, and to the future with its purpose vast, waiting our supreme commands. “We all want to see a better world, a juster social order. But a better world will not come about of itself. It will only be brought about as we endeavour to bring it about. There are | not short-cuts to the millenium. We cannot i alter the past. Our power to alter the prej sent i 3 a modified one. But our power to l alter the future is almost immeasurable. Let us make full use of that power, seek to exploit it to the fullest extent. We are unspeakably thankful for the gift of Peace, but it lies with all of us to do our utmost , to make the future better than the past, j We are all debtors, hopeless debtors, ‘iresj capable’ debtors, eternal debtors, debtors i to the past, debtors to the present, debtors | to the future, debtors to society, debtors to one another, debtors, above all, to God. Let us strive to discharge our debt by loyal service, by whole-hearted devotion by faithful allegiance, by giving ourselves unstintedly to the obedience of God and the welfare of humanity. Let us give ourselves earnestly to rebuild the world our brave Idead have left us. And let us pray God for grace to do all that in us lies to hasten the dawning of the day of God, the day of triumphant brotherhood, justice, and truth.” ' In the evening First Church was filled to its utmost capacity, and a service of peculiar interest and solemnity was held. The musical part, of the service was in the hands of Dr Galway, whose accompaniments to the hymns gave an inspiring lead to the large congregation. But he and the picked body of singers from the Dunedin Choral Society made a very special contribution to the service by the singing of Elgar’s “For the Fallen.” The choice of this work for performance at an Anzac service was eminently suitable. Familiar hymns were sung —“O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” “Rock of Ages,” “Recessional,” and “For All Thv Saints.” The Rev. W. Saunders (president of the council) conducted the service and read Revelation vii, 9-17. Prayer was offered by the Rev. H. Knowles Kempton. The Rev. W. R. Hutchison, of Kaikorai Presbyterian Church, delivered an appropriate address dealing with the deathless valour displayed by the troops who went from the dominion to share in the tremendous conflict and who did so much towards perpetuating the power and glory of the Empire. He urged that, their splendid example called upon us to promote the livest interest of the great nation to which it was our privilege to belong. The service closed with the National Anthem. The collection at First Church amounted to £35 odd, 75 per cent, to go to the RS.A. fund for disabled soldiers and 25 per cent, to the Literature Fund of the League of Nations. DUNEDIN RETURNED SOLDIERS. MEMORIAL SERVICE AT HIS MAJESTY’S. The Anzac Day memorial service conducted by the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association at His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday afternoon was very largely attended. A procession of returned soldiers, headed by the Dunedin Pipe Band, left tho association’s rooms at half-past 2, marched down Moray place to Stuart street, thence through the Octagon and along Princes street and Jetty street to the theatre. There were 120 officers and men in the procession, but these did not by any means represent the total number of returned soldiers who were present at the service.

The service was opened by the Kaikorai Band playing Chopin’3 Funeral March, and the audience sang “God of our Fathers” tile St. Kilda Municipal Band playing tho accompaniment. A large number of wreaths were then laid on the coffin and were presented by the following: Dunedin City Council, Otago Harbour Board, Hospital Board, St. Kilda Council, W est Harbour Council, Navy w’f ’ «? Ve T rS ? a ® ? lu ! ) ’ , 0ta S° Patriotic v w o’ A St ' l Amb " lance , Red Cross, Y.M.C.A., Chamber of Commerce. Girl Scouts (Roslyn), Waikouaiti K.b.A., and R.S.A. Choir. The Rev. Hector Maclean, president of too Dunedm xi.S.A., said he felt that there was no need for him to make any introductory remarks at the opening of their annual Anzac service. These services had teen arranged for a number of years and he knew that everybody in the building understood the spirit of the service and appreciated that spirit. The Returned teoictiers Association was determined as far as lay in its power, that it would keep that day in memory of its fallen comrades ( TI Ap F , a l use -> , He was glad to know that they had with them in that determination the great bulk of their people, and he hoped that while this generation lasted at least—the generation that knew the men wno fell—they would be able to have this service continuously. The Rev. E. Evans then read the Psalm, the Rev. W. Walker offered up prayer, and the R.S.A. C-hoir sang “Comrades in Arms” (Adams). The Rev. E J. Tipler said it was his privilege to address the meeting, and he wished to place before those present the words found in the 11th chanter of Hebrews, the 4th verse: “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain by which he obtained witness that he was righteous. God testifying of his gifts; and by it he, being dead yet speaketh. ’ Being dead yet speake'th They were assembled to do honour to our glorious dead. They had passed beyond our ken to a certain extent, and we could not render to them anything that would make their way more glorious. But we could at least seek to do honour to keep alive in our hearts their imperishable memory. If it were possible for us to forget them how much would we be the losers. But we thought that there was something we could render unto them, and that was to carry forward for all time an assurance that we had not forgotten them, and that if we did tho nation would have lost its soul. And so once more our thoughts turned to that day never to be forgotten—April 25, 1915—when our men joined battle with tho foe. Out of the agony of those days, and years that followed, our nation was born. Out of the agony of those days with their sacrifices, suffering, and tears this people was born, and brought to selfconsciousness. And so we held in memory these men who had fought and given themselves that we might live, and who were worthy to be mentioned with the great ones of the past. , They were of the same blood and race as were those heroes of antiouity. and worthy to be named with Drake, Hawkins. Nelscn, and V ellington. In concluding his address he said: Only by sacrifice could this land of ours be made greater. The freedom they enjoyed, with all its high ideals, was a reality for their men, and they had gone forth to an alien land and given themselves unto diui that those at home might have their freedom and liberty to go forward. To what? To something greater that is yet to be. They had gone forth for no material purpose, but for those high purposes that found their source in the being of God. No land could exist without those moral and spiritual forces to which all turned. They could also hear their men speaking to them of righteousness and truth. Truth as between man and man. Righteousness in the heartof man reflecting the righteousness of God and truth that should ever prevail. What awaited us yet? What was there yet to be done? Injustices to be redressed, Wrongs to be righted, higher conceptions of brotherhood, and better opportunities for those who had fallen. A great and glorious New Zealand yet to be where peace and happiness reigned in every home and honour and love in every heart!. This task the men gone had handed on to us. It was a sacred duty and a call to those left behind. “Play up, play up, and play the game.” See the vision of what might yet be a labour that, under God, we would build a new heritage of freedom. Life’s race well run, Life’s work well done; Life’s victory won— Then eometh rest. The burial service was then read by the Rev. W. A. Harnblhtt, the Kaikorai Band played the Dead March in “Saul,” Staffbugler Sergeant J. L. Napier sounded the "Last Post,” and prayer was offered up by the Rev. G. P. Ourtis. The Mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas) then came on to the stage to receive the war medals

to be held in trust by the city on behalf °f untraced next-of-kin of deceased soldiers. The Mayor said that at the request of the Otficer-in-chargo of the Military Records Office at Headquarters, the City Council had agreed to take charge and hold in trust certain war medals and other kindred memorials that were earned by some six members of the New Zealand Expeditionary r orces. The circumstances surrounding these memorials so far as they had been informed was that they had been won by six of their citizen soldiers who were amongst the 17,000 of their fellow New Zealanders who had made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War, but in their case the military authorities had so far been unable to trace any next-of-kin or near relative to whom the memorials could be handed. In these sad circumstances they had been asked, and had gladly agreed, to take charge of the medals and other memorials, and hold them in trust until they were claimed by someone who was entitled to claim them. In making the request to do this simple act of honour, the defence authorities suggested that the ceremony should take place in as public a manner as possible, and, if convenient to them, that it might form part of the Anzac Day celebrations in this city. The names of the gallant soldiers of their Empire whom they thus honoured that day, with a description of the decorations awarded, were as follow: — L. Evans (23/747), G. R. Thompson (2/1495), P. C. Walsh (1/2147), each of whom earned a 1914-1915 Star, the British War and Victory Medals, Plaque, and Scroll. M., Campbell (9/911) was entitled to the British War and Victory Medals, together with Plaque and Scroll. William Francis Murphy (70725) a Plaque, and A. Wilson (29:92) a Plaque and Scroll. These several decorations and other memorials would be suitably provided for at the Public Library, and in accepting them in trust on behalf of the citizens, he felt that they could justly claim that such action was honouring, not- only the heroic dead whose names he had just mentioned, but was an outward and visible indication of the honour they owed and freely gave to the memory of the 17,000 of their kith and kin who, animated by a keen determination to uphold the principles of right and freedom, went forth to stem the tide of oppression and tyranny and in doing so gave their lives that they might live. Moreover, he thought they could rightly claim that this simple act of honour that had faltep, to their lot to perform might well be construed as doing honour to-the services of the whole of the members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Threes, too many of whom, alas, were still suffering in one form or another from the effects of their great and high endeavour. In accepting the memorials in this public way they were hopeful that they might assist the ..defence authorities in tracing some of the near relatives of the brave fellows who, under other circumstances, would have worn these decorations. Meanwhile they undertook to hold them in sacred trust and give them a place of prominence in one of the public institutions of the city. The hymn, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” was then sung, the St. Kilda Band playing the accompaniment, Staff-bugler Sergeant J. L. Napier played the “Reveille,” and the singing of the National Anthem concluded the service. CORPORATION EMPLOYEES. MEMORIAL TABLET UNVEILED. A memorial tablet erected by the Dunedin City Council, in the vestibule of the Town Hall, in honour of those of Its employees who served in the Great War was unveiled yesterday morning. The service was opened with the hymn, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” after which the Rev. W. Saunders read a lesson and led in prayer. Another hymn, “God of Our Fathers,” followed, and then an address was delivered by the Rev. Hector Maclean, president of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association. The hymn. “For All the Saints,” was then sung, after which the Mayor (Mr J. S Douglas) unveiled the tablet, which contains the names of 19 who made the supreme sacrifice, of 113 who served overseas, and of 41 who served in camp in New Zealand. After Staff Bugle-sergeant Napier had sounded “The Last Post,” tho service was concluded w’ith the singing of “God Save the King” and the pronouncement of the Benediction. UNVEILING AT KNOX COLLEGE. A memorial window and brass were unveiled on Wednesday morning in Ross Chapel. Knox College. The chairman of the college Council (Professor Adams), tho Master (Professor Hewitson), the Rev. Dr Cameron, Dr Hercus, the Revs. W. R. Hutchison and E. J. Tipler, and Mr J. C. Leitch, president of the Students’ Club, took part in the service. With the exception of Mr Leitch, all those taking part were connected with the college from its foundation in 1909. The window and brass were un-

veiled by Mrs T. Nisbet, the mother of one of the students who fell. The late Dr Nisbet was a member of the College Erection Committee and was on the College Council from its inception to his death. The central idea of the window, which was made by the Morris Company, London, is victory over death. A young soldier who has made the supreme sacrifice is being received by our Lord. Round about the central Figure are angels bearing symbols of purity and triumph. The bras 3 contains the names of 189 men who were students of the college at the time they joined the colours. Of these 189 men 27 fell. A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE. THE KING’S MESSAGE. WELLINGTON, April 23. The Governor-General has been commanded by the King to communicate to the people of New Zealand on the occasion of Anzao Day, the following message from his Majesty: “The Queen and I share the pride and thankfulness with which on this day of remembrance my people of New Zealand recall tho heroic deeds of those who fell on Gallipoli.” GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S REPLY. WELLINGTON, April 26. The Governor-General has sent the following reply to the message from his Majesty the King to the people of New Zealand on the occasion of Anzac Day:— “On behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand, I beg to inform your Majesty that the gracious message which you forwarded is most deeply appreciated on this the most sacred of days. The thoughts of all the people in the dominion turn with loyalty and affection to the Throne. “(Signed) Jellicoe.” PORT CHALMERS. The special significance of Anzac Day was commemorated at Port Chalmers by memorial services in the churches. The largest service was held in the Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m., several of the local denominations having decided to hold a united service there It was well attended. Lieutenant 11. S. Montgomery and a number of Cadets and Territorials were present, as well as the Mayor (Mr J. Watson) and a number of borough councillors. The service was largely choral, the augmented choir leading tho singing very effectively. Portions of Scripture were read and prayers were offered by the Revs. W. hi. Grant, J. M. Simpson, Adjutant Hanford, and Mr W. F. Falconer. A sermon from the text, “Seek peace and pursue it,” was preached by the Rev. C. B. Jordan, who advocated peace in bold terms of reverent candour. MOSGIEL. Wednesday morning, at 7 a.m., Holy Mass v.as celebrated in the Mosgiel Catholic Church by the Rev. Father Andersen. At 9 a.m. a solemn Requiem Mass was also celebrated. The Rev. Father Collins was celebrant, the Rev. Dr Buxton was deacon, and the Rev. T. linehan sub-deacon. The music of tho mass was rendered by the students’ choir of Holy Cross College. At the end of the eermonies the organist played the Dead March. There was a large congregation Holy Communion was administered at St. Luke’s Church on Wednesday morning, with special references to the former members of the church who had sacrificed their all for their King and country. At 2.30 p.m. a memorial service to all fallen comrades was held in the Coronation Hall, under the auspices of the Taieri Returned Soldiers’ Association. The president of the association (Mr D. Hanlin) presided. A procession was formed at 2.15 at the R.S.A. clubroom, in which the members of the association, local bodies, school children, lodges, fire brigades, etc., took part. The procession, headed by the Mosgiel Brass Band (under Mr A. G. Haigh, conductor) marched to the Coronation Hall and attended the service. This opened with the National Anthem. The Rev. C. W. Browne offered prayer, and the Rev. D. Galder read from the Scriptures. “Oh, God, Our Help in Ages Past” was sung, and the Rev. E. R. Weston delivered the principal address. He said that all had met in the presence of God with reverence and affection to honour the dead by a public memorial service, in which was again called to mind the heroic story of those who had so nobly and willingly fought and died to defend our land and Empire. They honoured that day the memory of the brave lads who had passed away. They honoured also the presence will them of those whose lives were spared but whose scars remained. And they honoured the bereaved parents and wives and relatives whose heart wounds were never healed 1 Moreover, they publicly acknowledged that day their indebtedness to God

for the victory won through the efforts of our brave comrades. For in the last analysis they owed it to the mercy of God. Not all the bravery of crnr gallant vo’unteers—our glorious “Contemptibles”—our great navy —our fine Air Force, nor our finance, nor statesmanship could have saved us but for the over-ruling mercy of God! That day in that memorial service he left with them the following thought of comfort, to be as rays of light shining through a cloud:—(1; He reminded them that the lives sacrificed in the war were not spent in Tain. (2) He reminded them that they were probably more prepared for death then than they might ever have been again (3' He reminded them also that the passing years brought us nearer reunion. The hymn, ‘ God of Our Fathers, Known of Old,” followed the address, and the Chairman read the roll of honour. To honour these men a brief period of silence was observed. “Now the Labourer’s Task is O’er” was sung, and after prayer by the Rev. D. M’Cosb the procession re-formed and maiehed to the park, where wreaths and floral tributes were placed on the catafalque. The Pipe Band played a lament os the procession wended its way along Gordon road, and after Ihe hymn “Abide With Me” portions of the burial service were read by the Rev. Mr Browne. A firing party was formed by members of the R.S.A., and the Last Post was sounded by Bugler Watt. The service concluded with the pronouncing of the Benediction by the Rev. D. Calder. The last and probably the most touehJng portion of the day’s ceremonies was then observed. The wreaths were removed from the catafalque and conveyed to the Bast Tnieri Cemetery by Mr Walter Blackie and three returned men, where they wero |tir\ced on tho graves of do-

ceased soldiers who sleep their long sleep there. OCTHAM. An impressive service in memory of fallen comrades was arranged by the returned soldiers residing at Gutram. Woodside. Maungatua, Berwick, and Momona, and held in the public hall, Outram on Wednesday. Notwithstanding the Hooded state of the Plain, the attendance was good. The chair vai occupied by Mr A. Y. Hendry, who bm a member of the Main Body in 1914. Captain Armstrong (Salvation Army officer for Mosgiel district) read the Scriptures, the Rev. J. Fordyee read a portion of the burial service, and an impressive address was delivered by the Rev. C. J. Bush-King on the lines of his Green Island address. MOSGIEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. At the invitation of the Rev. D. Calder, the local ministers assisted at a united service in the Mosgiel Presbyterian Church in the evening. The Rev. Mr Calder presided, and the building was crowded. Rev. E. R. Weston and Captain Armstrong offered prayer, and the combined chorus sang two anthems, “I he IJ omeland” and “Crossing the Bar.” Miss Browne conducted the singing. Rev. C. W. Browne delivered an address, taking “The Glory of Sacrifice: Let. him deny himself and take up the cross and follow Me” (Mark 8, 34). EAST TAIERI CHURCH In the evening a dedication service was held in the East Taieri Church. There was a large attendance, and the members of tho Taieri R.S.A. were present. The occasion was tho dedication of a presentation

pulpit by the parents of the late Sergeant David Sutherland (Mr and Mrs David Sutherland, of East Taieri). Tho Rev. D. M. M'Cosli preached an impressive diseoursejjjiiidei' the heading of “Others Were TortuKwb not accenting deliverance.” Tho lads might have accepted deliverance from the fate which had befallen them; hut they chose to make the sacrifice. Their lives called from us to follow their example and display the same faithfulness in all things. The choir rendered appropriate music GREEN ISLAND. A memorial service was held in the Town Hall at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, at which the Mayor (Mr J. L. Miller) presided. The music was led by the Green Island Brass Band. Suitable hymns interspersed the address, Scripture reading, roll of honour, etc. Captain Herron (Salvation Army) read the Scripture lesson. Prayer was afterwards offered by the Rev. G. P. Hunt, and the band played “RocJk of Ages.” The Rev. C. J. Bush-King delivered the address. The hymn “The Day Thou Gavest” followed the address, and the roll of honour was read by Lieutenant 0. G. Davidson. A procession was then formed and marched to the public school memorial, where wreaths were placed. The band played the “Dead March.” The Rev. J. Kilpatrick read tho burial service, Green Island soldiers formed a firing party, and Bandmaster Holland sounded the “Last Post,” The Rev. G. P. Hunt pronounced the benediction, and the National Anthem concluded the service. A collection was taken up on behalf of tho District War Memorial Fund. A special celebration of Holy Communion was held in St. Mark’s Church. This being tho patronal festival of tho church

and also Anaz Day gave an additional impressiveness to the service. The service was conducted by the Rev. C. J. BushKing. After the service in the hall, a procession was formed and marched to the public war memorial, where the service .was concluded. Wreaths and floral tributes were laid on the memorial by Mrs Spratt. Suitable hymns were sung, the music being supplied by Mosgiel S.A. Band, under Captain Armstrong. The roll of honour was read by Mr John Grant, town clerk. The service concluded with the' benediction, pronounced by the Rev. C. J. Bush-King. CELEBRATIONS AT PRINCIPAL CENTRES. AT CHRISTCHURCH. WAR MEMORIAL FOUNDATION CHRISTCHURCH, April 25. The weather was dull and overcast, but tho rain kept off. A beautiful and inspiring memorial service was held in the Cathedral in the morning. The preacher was the llev. E. C. Crosse, D. 5.0., M.C.. M.A., head master of Christ’s College. Later m the morning the foundation stone of the city’s war memorial (the Bridge of Remembrance over the River Avon at Cashel street, near King Edward Barracks) was laid by Lord Jellicoe. A crowd of several thousand people attended the ceremony, including Lady Jellicoe, the Hon. Lucy Jellicoe, and Sir Heaton Rhodes. Lord Jellicoe said that from that wonderful day in 1915 until the closing days of the war the men from New Zealand and Australia, in co-operation with the soldiers of the Mother Land, achieved the impossible. The New Zealand soldiers had

made a name for themselves which would go down in history. General Sir Andrew Russell and the Mayor (Dr Thacker) also spoke. Mr Massey telegraphed regretting his absence, and sending an appropriate message. The bridge is to cost about £IO,OOO. In the afternoon a great military parade and a memorial service in the King Edward Barracks were held. Mr Massey was the principal speaker at the service. WELLINGTON’S CELEBRATION. WELLINGTON, April 25. In connection with Anzac Day there were several ceremonies to-day. Delegations from all the schools and colleges, private and public, laid in memoriam wreaths and crosses at the foot of a symbolic monument, after which a brief service took place. At the conclusion of the service a number of ladies proceeded to the memorial ceremony at Karori to place flowers on the graves of the fallen and to tend the graves. A special church parade was held in the afternoon. The sth, 9th, and 10th Batteries of New Zealand Artillery paraded at the lown Hall and marched to the Basin Reserve, where a memorial service was conducted. Impressive memorial srevices were held in the Town Hall, where an aadress was delivered by Chaplain T. bidden Taylor, and at the Grand Opera House, where the Right Rev. Dr Sprott, Bishop of Wellington, spoke. In the evening a sacred concert was held in the Town Hall, and a collection taken up in aid of the Wellington war memorial funds. Similar ceremonies were held at Petone, Lower Hutt, and in the suburbs and country districts. In all colleges and public schools ceremonies appropriate to the occasion were held, the Returned Soldiers’ Association providing one speaker. It was Poppy Day yesterday, and the supply was soon sold out. A large sum was realised. ANZAC MESSAGES. WELLINGTON, April 24. The following cable message ha* been received by General Headquarters from General Sir William Birdwood, Murree, Northern Command, India:—“My kindest greetings and remembrances to my old comrades and to the people of New Zealand.” The following reply was sent by Majorgeneral Sir E. M. C. Chaytor, general officer commanding the New Zealand Defence + -[forces: —“The New Zealand Military Forces join in conveying to you greetings and remembrances of Anzac.” The following messages were also despatched by General Chaytor to General ® lr . -Alexander Godley, commander of the British Army of Occupation in Germany, * and to the general officer commanding the Australian Military Forces in Melbourne:— “General Godley, London. “The New Zealand Forces send remembrances on the anniversary of the landing at Anzac." “General Officer Commanding the Australian Military Forces, Melbourne. “-the New Zealand Forces join with their Australian comrades in proud memory of Anzac and of all those who fell in the Great War.” BALCLUTJIA. Anzac Day celebration in Balclutha was quite an event, the attendance of townspeople and others being unusually large. This was owing to the fact of the dual ceremony—first the unveiling of a soldiers’ memorial, followed by the usual Anzac service in the hail. The monument is a particularly handsome one, standing at the intersection of practically five streets and facing John street and cost about £IOO. The speakers at the unveiling were the Mayor (Mr H. Simson) and Mr R, R. Stewart (chairman of the Memorial Committee), and the chaplain for the- occasion was the Rev. Dr Currie. Mrs Jas. Craig (who lost two sons in the war —G. and R. Youngson) unveiled the tablet. Both bands were in attendance, and a goodly procession marched from tho borough chambers to the Memorial square. At the ceremony in the hall the speakers were Revs. Currie, Gatman, Hume, Captain Sanson (Salvation Army), and an impressive ceremony was the result. MONUMENT DESCRIBED. The total height of the monument from base to summit is 36ft 6in. It is surmounted by a marble figure of a “digger,” while the frieze embraces four marble panels. Tho upper structure is supported by four massive marble columns, while the nave of the monument runs from the sill to the soffit. It also embraces four marble panels which carry the names of the fallen heroes. Beneath the sill is the main dedication panel bearing the inscription : “Erected in honoured memory of those men of this district who fought and fell in the Great War, 1914-1919. for righteousness, liberty, and justice.” Underneath this appear two lines from the poem of a “digger” : At the going down of the sun, And in the morning, we will remember them On the flanks of the monument are two marble statues symbolising Grief and Hope. The figure with the wreath represents the sorrow of the people, while the other represents Hope. The whole monument is mounted on a flight of four steps which lead to the landing surrounding the monument, which is a classical representation of Italian architecture. The monument was designed by Mr A. D, Anderson, and his work and that of the bunders (Messrs J. Fraser and Co., Invercargill) has been very creditable.