INVERCARGILL U.S.A.

Southland Times, Issue 20792, 5 June 1929, Page 9

INVERCARGILL U.S.A.

ANZAC DAY STANDING SUB-COM-MITTEE. A meeting of the Anzac Day standing sub-committee of the Invercargill branch ot the R.S.A. was held on Thursday, May 30, to consider proposed alterations to the Anzac Day services for 1929. Various suggestions from returned soldiers and the public were received for consideration. It was recorded that the children’s service had exceeded the specified time limits, thereby subjecting the children to undue strain and delaying the theatre service. It was decided that the 1928 service and formation of parade be reverted to with certain variations: (1) The hollow square to be increased in size to allow the children a better view of the ceremony. (2) The returned soldiers, bands and dais to be placed as this year. (3) Colours to be brought on at the slow inarch from the corner of the square only. (4) The hymn to be one well known to the children, two verses only. (5) Scripture reading and address to be very short, delivered respectively by a padre and returned soldier. (Mufti with medals), (6) Presentation of wreaths to be expedited as in 1928 and bands to play suitable music as for “general inspection.” (7) Recitative items to be deleted. (8) Troops and returned soldiers to march off at the conclusion of the ceremony headed by their colour parties, leaving the child ren to be dismissed on the grounds. This will expedite the arrival of the parade at the theatre service. (9) The programme to be strictly timed, allowing 10 to 15 minutes for the arrival of the complete parade and 20 minutes for the service. Parade to depart at 2.30 p.m. prompt. (10) Schoolmasters to be requested not to allow’ the children to assemble before 1.25 p.m. This year some assembled an hour before the commencement of the ceremony. The parade should leave the showgrounds at 2.30 p.m. sharp and the returned soldiers should be seated in the theatre in time to permit the service to start at 3.15 p.m. One band should lead the returned soldiers and one the territorials, and the bands should be asked to procure the music for “Tipperary” and “The Long, Long Trail.” The gun carriage with the wreaths should keep 50 yards ahead of the parade. On reaching the theatre the returned soldiers to halt and turn outwards, while the territorials and cadets march past, salute, and move straight on to be dismissed by their officers. The service in Victoria Hall should be dropped. It is not fair to ask the troops to attend two services and any who wish to be present in the theatre should reserve seats. The programme of the theatre service should be as in 1928, with the addition of one sacred solo, and the choir items could be deleted in view of the proposed evening programme. It was recorded that the cadets had been allowed into the gallery contrary to the express instructions of the committee. The parade of cadets had been dismissed by the O.C. as there was no room for them in the Victoria Hall, but the order had not reached a number of them on the stairs. A request that a sacred concert be held in the theatre at 8 p.m. on the night of Anzac was held over for favourable consideration. It was decided to print a souvenir programme embracing all services for 1930. Teachers from the various schools are to be asked to meet the committee at an early date to ensure that these proposals meet with their approval. Satisfaction was expressed that the parade of returned soldiers was the largest, seen in Invercargill for manv years; also that the narade of school children was the largest, vet held.