PROVINCIAL SERVICES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 956, 26 April 1930, Page 9

PROVINCIAL SERVICES

LARGE ATTENDANCE AT HAMILTON TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD Hamilton’s tribute to New Zealand’s dead was paid in the beautiful surroundings of Memorial Park. Each tree in the park is dedicated to the memory of a Hamilton soldier who did not return from the war, and at the foot of each floral emblems were placed. Returned soldiers, territorials, senior cadets, boy scouts and girl guides marched from Victoria Street to the park, where the Mayor, Mr. J. R. Fow,

presided at ihe service. The principal speaker was the Rev Josiah Salisbury, of the Church of Christ. Hamilton, who expressed the gratitude of those who stayed at home for the sacrifices made by New Zealand soldiers at the front. The service concluded with the playing of the “Last Post'’ and the “Reveille." Many beautiful wreaths were placed on the Cenotaph. Showery weather at Whangarei necessitated the holding of the commemoration service in the Town Hall, but the military parade was carried out as arranged. The Mayor, Mr. AV. Jones, presided at the service and the principal address was given by the Rev. H. T. Steele. He said that it was a happy coincidence that Anzac Hay and Easter fell eo closely together, so that the light of Easter shone through the shade of Anzac. After the service there was a parade to the Triangle, where many wreaths were placed on the war memorial. A march past the saluting base completed the parade. Several hundred people were present at the service at Pukekohe, which was held in the Memorial Park and was attended by a large parade, headed by returned soldiers. The Mayor, Mr. John Routly, presided, and an address was given by the Rev. J. Pattison, who urged that even as they brought all their energies and resources to bear in endeavouring to win the war, the nations should now spare no effort and withhold no expense to promote goodwill among the peoples of the earth to ensure peace. Wreaths were laid at the memorial gates at the entrance of the park at the close of the service.

The Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, was present at the Rotorua memorial service in the Government Gardens at the Cenotaph. The Mayor, Mr. T. Jackson, presided and the Rev. A. C. Randerson gave the address. The Tauranga service in the Town Hall was attended by 1,000 people. The Mayor, Mr. B. C. Robbins, presided and addresses were given by several ministers and by Sir Andrew Russell. Dominion president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. Wreaths were placed on memorial gates and on the graves dt soldiers.

There was a large crowd at the Service at Te Awamutu, which took place at the site of the War Memorial. A procession, headed by the Te Awamutu Brass Band, marched from Albert Park. Territorials, returned soldiers, firemen, Scouts, Cubs. Brownies, Girl Guides and school children were represented. The Mayor, Mr. C. G. Downes, presided and the service was conducted by the Rev. W. Wills, Rev. W. Butterworth and Rev. S. R. Wareing. Special hymns were sung. At the close a large number of beautiful wreaths were placed at the foot of the monument.

The Papatoetoe Town Hall was filled yesterday afternoon. Mr. T. R. Smytheman, of the Papatoetoe Town presided. A stirring address was delivered by the Rev. T. H. C. Partridge, M.a. Others who took part in the service were the Revs. T. H. Roseveare and A. W. Silvester. At the conclusion of the service the members of the Otahuhu and Papatoetoe returned soldiers, members of the town board, and school children marched to the memorial gates at the school and laid wreaths, after which three volleys were fired and the “Dead March" played and “Last Post" sounded. There was a large attendance at the services held at Otahuhu. A procession comprising returned soldiers, territorials, borough council, fire brigade, lodges and citizens marched to the Otahuhu Memorial and placed wreaths on the basement, and then marched to the Orpheus Theatre, where the service was held. The cadets, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and school children marched to the Wayside Cross and deposited wreaths and flowers, and then marched to the school grounds, where a special service was conducted for them by the Rev. T. H. Eccersall.

The citizens’ memorial service was held in Papakura at 11 a.m., when about 400 residents assembled at the Soldiers’ Memorial. The chairman of the town board presided. Prayers were offered by the Rev. W. C. Wood and the Rev. J. F. Martin read a portion of the Scriptures. The Rev. J. H. Bredin gave a short address. The children of the Papakura Secondary School assembled at the Soldiers’ Memorial on Thursday afternoon. Major-General Sir George Richardson addressed the scholars and Miss Joan Byers recited “For the Fallen" and Miss Joyce Lees “In Flanders Fields.” Wreaths were deposited at the base of the memorial for those killed in action or died of wounds; also Kawakawa wreaths for the soldiers of the Maori race. Prior to the combined service in the Empire Theatre, Dargaville, at 11 a.m., a parade took place, starting from the Kaihu Bridge. Headed by the North Auckland Regimental Band were returned soldiers, territorials, senior cadets and Boy Scouts. The service was very largely attended. The Mayor, Mr. F. A. Jones, presided and addressed the meeting. An impressive address was also given during the service by the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Leader of the Opposition, and the Rev. J. C. Fussell. Captain Parker gave Scripture readings, while prayers were said by the Rev. N. O. White and Rev. W. J. Endicott. The “Last Post’’ was sounded by Mr. H. Walker. HUNTLY, Today. A record assemblage attended the services at Huntly. Headed by Piper Thomas Ingram the territorials, cadets, returned soldiers and St. John Ambulance paraded in full. The public attendance was noteworthy.