CROWDS THRONG CITY STREETS

Southland Times, Issue 25669, 11 May 1945, Page 6

CROWDS THRONG CITY STREETS

Parade To Rugby Park Thousands of people thronged the streets of the city yesterday afte.moon to watch and take part in the second day of the victory celebrations. The crowd was brighter than on the previous day and the people showed that they wanted to display their jubilation. The scene was reminiscent of the May Fair days in their hey-day. The weather was fine throughout the day, although the sky was overcast and there was a cold easterly wind blowing. In the morning the streets were quiet, but the town was still gay with flags and bunting. People began to stream into the town area from the suburbs after midday, and by the time the ceremonial victory parade was ready to move off there was hardly standing room for several blocks in Tay street. The side streets converging on to the main route were jammed with cars and sightseers. It was one of the biggest crowds seen in the city for a long time. RUSH FOR PARK The parade moved off from opposite the National Broadcasting Station at 2.15 p.m. sharp, and after it had passed the spectators made a rush for Rugby Park, where a huge thanksgiving service was conducted. The congestion was so great that hundreds of people abandoned the idea of going to. the park and returned to the business area, where the May Fair celebrations were in progress. Commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel A. R. Cockerell, D. 5.0., with Major I. O. Manson as staff officer, the parade was an impressive one. The parade strength was more than 500, excluding the strength of the five bands which took part. Led by six Red Cross cars, with the Civic Band following, the parade marched in the following order:— South African Veterans, Ist N.Z.E.F., Regimental Band, 2nd N.Z.E.F., A.T.C., Home Servicemen and Home Guardsmen, Caledonian Pipe Band, Nursing Service (civilian), Red Cross, including the Junior Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, Girl Guides, Salvation Army Band, Boys’ Brigade, W.W.S.A., Southland Boys’ High School Drum, Trumpet and Bugle Band and the Southland Technical Cadets.

After the service at the park the three brass bands, the Civic, Regimental and Salvation Army, combined and marched back to town. They gave an impressive display and their playing was of a high standard. THANKSGIVING MASSES ST. MARY’S PARISH All the Masses of thanksgiving at St. Mary’s Basilica, St. Theresa’s, St. Patrick’s and at Bluff were well attended yesterday. At the early Masses practically the whole congregation received Holy Communion. It was evident that the people desired to give thanks to God for the cessation of hostilities in Europe, in addition to fulfilling their obligation of attending Mass on Ascension Thursday. ’ This desire of the people was most evident again at the 10.30 a.m. Mass in the Basilica, when many people who had been at an earlier Mass returned for the “Missa Cantata.” This Mass concluded with the singing of the “Te Deum,” the traditional hymn of thanksgiving in the Catholic Church. “Te Deum” is a hymn in honour of the Blessed Trinity. Its origin is unknown, but it has been used in the church since the sixth century. The singing of “Te Deum” was followed by a recently composed hymn of thanksgiving. THE “MISSA CANTATA” The celebrant of the “Missa Cantata” was the Rev. Father T. Hally. In preaching at this Mass, Father Hally emphasized that the Mass was always an act of thanksgiving and gratitude to God for his mercies and favours. Particularly was it so that morning, when they offered it in thanksgiving for the cessation of hostilities in Europe. “We do not yet enjoy the full fruits of universal peace because that day has not yet dawned; but we pray to God that He will enlighten our leaders in their deliberations and that that day will soon come,” said Father Hally-. “Never did the world stand in greater need of the peace of Christ than today,” Father Hally said. “There was no gift which our Lord more frequently bestowed on the Apostles than the gift of peace. The message announcing the coming of the Messiah was, ‘Glory to God on high and on earth peace to men of goodwill,’ and today it is to Christ alone that we can look for a true and lasting peace and which He alone can give. True peace can only be established in the hearts of men when they recognize their God and give a total acceptance and total observance to His laws. “Therefore, today as you assist at the altar of God, thank him from the bottom of your heart and, in using the prayers of the Mass, humbly implore Him—the Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world—to grant us peace. We must remember those who have gone overseas to fight. There are some who will not return, and for them we pray that their sacrifice may not be in vain.” AUCKLAND” STREETS CLEANERS OCCUPIED ALL NIGHT (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 10. In contrast with the previous day’s wild revelry, the holiday today was passed in Auckland almost as quietly as a Sunday. Brought into action at short notice the previous evening, street cleaners toiled throughout the night shovelling up broken glass and collecting empty bottles, and their task did not near completion until a dismal grey dawn began to break over the city. Because of the heavy rain most Aucklanders stayed at home today, and there was little sign of special rejoicing. V DAY AT MATAURA A feature of the celebrations at Mataura was the parade of decorated cars, trucks and bicycles. The procession was led by the Mayor (Mr C. D. MicConnell), followed by several councillors, the Mataura Kilties’ Band, members of' the Mataura R.S.A., the Rangers, the Girl Guides, the Boy Scouts and Cubs, decorated floats and school children. Originality was shown in the parade of decorated bicycles. - The procession was brought to a halt at the Recreation Grounds, where a religious service was conducted by the Rev. J. Badcock, assisted by Lieutenant K. Manson, of the Salvation Army. Other speakers tyere the Mayor and the ‘president of the Mataura R.S.A., Mr F. H. Bryant. The prizes for the best 'decorated floats were presented by the Mayoress. Awards were also made for the "best costume worn by the children and the best decorated bicycles. A display Was given by a women’s marching team, the proceedings being amplified through a loud-speaker system operated by Mr H. J. Hill. A picture entertainment was given in one hall in the evening and concerts were given in two other halls, followed by dances. .Religious services were also held earlier and a bonfire was lit.