ANZAC DAY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 76, Issue 6507, 28 April 1948, Page 11

ANZAC DAY

DISTRICT COMMEMORATION KAWHIA AND KINOHAKU “Lest we forget those who, at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardships, faced danger, and finally passed out of the sight of man by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let those who come after see to it that their names are not forgotten.” In these stirring sentences, which became the underlying motif of the whole gathering, the chairman, Mr N. F. Beatson, opened the nindemonational service held at Kawhia on Sunday morning in commemoration of Anzac Day. Ward’s Hall held a large congregation representative of all parts of the district, especially Oparau to which special buses had been run. Returned men were present in large numbers. After the singing of the “Old Hundred,” with Mrs R. E. Lamb presiding at the piano as she also did throughout the solemn service, the Rev. G. E. Roke offered up prayers, after which he read the Lesson from the Gospel.

The chairman then delivered an eloquent panegyric on the Anzacs, and, after the singing of “God of Our Fathers, known of Old,” the Rev. W. Bell, vicar of the parish (Otorohanga and Kawhia) stressed the need for meeting other problems of the future after due study and consideration of the past and contended that only by the general practise of the principles envisaged in the brotherhood of mail would war be averted in the future. Children’s Service After the singing of “O Valiant Hearts,” a short Ceremony of Remembrance and Dedication for the children took place, the congregation standing reverently throughout. The Headmaster, Mr J. G. Downey: Let there be Light! Two children, Peggy Ward (Kawhia) and Gloria Park (Aotea), smartly attired, ascended the platform and there lit the candle on the chairman’s table. Tho headmaster: With proud thanksgiving let us remember our elder brethren. The children and congregation: They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them. We will remember them. The headmaster: What is the Light Children (only): The Light of Remembrance. Headmaster: Who first lit it? Children: Unselfish sacrifice.

Headmaster: What alone will maintain it? Children: Unselfish sacrifice. Headmaster: What is service? Children: The rent we pay for our room on earth. Headmaster: Let us pray in silence that during the school days and in after life, we may learn to pay it with generosity. Two minutes silence was then observed, the congregation remaining standing with bowed heads. Headmaster: Grant them eternal rest, O Lord. Children: And let perpetual light shine upon them. Headmaster: Let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works. Children: And glorify our Father which is in Heaven. Proceedings concluded by the congregation singing the National Anthem. ! Thereafter a large number of those present visited the Memorial Gates where numerous beautiful floral wreaths were deposited. Ceremony at Kinohaku There was a large attendance in the Kinohaku hall on Sunday afternoon, when a commemoration service was held. Mr G. Palmer presided s , and the Rev. C. E. Roke read the prayers and lesson, and the address was given by the Rev. W. Bell.