TEMUKA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19474, 26 April 1933, Page 6

TEMUKA

ANZAC DAY SERVICE. In keeping with custom, residents of Temuka and district observed Anzac Day yesterday with a service at the foot of the War Memorial in the Domain. This was preceded by a procession of the Pipe and Municipal Bands, ex-soldiers, Girl Guides and Brownies and children of the District High School. Members of the Temuka Ministers’ Association conducted the service, the chairman being the Mayor (Mr A. W. Buzan). The main address was given by Ensign W. Knight, and the Rev. L. A. Brooks led the prayers, while the Rev. C. A. Kennedy gave the Scripture reading. Prior to the prayers and dedication, pronounced by the Rev. C. L. Mountfort, a two minutes’ silence was observed, and at the conclusion of the service a Highland lament, by PipeMajor Harrison, and the impressive

“Last Post,’’ by Bandsmen P. Pierce and R. Boyle, were sounded. Led by the Municipal Band, the gathering sang the hymns, “All People That on Earth do Dwell,” “God of Our Fathers,' “Onward Christian Soldiers,” and the National Anthem. En route to the Domain the procession halted at the South African War Memorial gates, on which wTeaths were placed. In his address, Ensign Kr.ight said the path of highest glory in life was also the path that meant separation, suffering, death. Viewing the happenings on the heights of Gallipoli, they were once again forced to exclaim “w'hat an effort!” Eighteen years ago the name Anzac was made by the Australians and New Zealanders upon sand and hill, written indelibly upon a smoke-grimed, bullet-torn, shrapnel>\vept, waterless, inhospitable land. The hand of Time had written much that was immortal, and surely its fingers dipped in the life blood of our brothers traced for all future ages those deeds which time would reveal untarnished. Looking back over the ever-increasing divide, one found but two gleams of light arising from the frightful carnage of that day, the twins of sacrifice and duty. Anzac was synonymous with sacrifice, pain and loss. Into a bas? hospital was brought a German soldier, but a boy. He was in a dying condition and the nurse could not find a pillow for him, and turning to the other wounded men said, “Would any of you like to give your pillow to this boy?" Without exception, every pillow was held up. While it was not an uncommon thing for a man to steal a blanket from his mate, the next day would see him risking his life for him. Countless were the times that we were told that this was a “war to end wars." but what guarantee had the world that war would never drench its fields with blood and tears again 9 There were only two main religions in the world though each of them has many forms. First, the religion which trusts in the ix>wer and ultimate triumph of material forces—faith in materialism. Second, the religion which trusts in the power and ultimate triumph of spiritual forces—faith in God. But faith in spiritual 1 forces was not the order of the day. i Would it not be useless to abolish all the engines of war unless we abolished the materialism producing them? Hr I admired the work of the League of , Nations, but while it had accomplished i much, in many ways it had been an | impotent force. A universal change j in the temper of mankind would sto\ war. It had been said that irreligioi:

was the keynote of the British soldier, but not so. Men who, in the face of death, could sing such songs as “God send you back to me,” and “Mother Machree,” were not wholly bad; in fact, religion was one of the most fruitful causes of argument. The eloquence of Anzac was amazing. All know how the word “Anzac” came to be coined and what its definition was, but the word “Anzac” stood for all "time for never-failing courage, determination, cheerfulness. Sacrifice was cheerfully made that futurity might benefit—that the Empire might not again be endangered. Anzac was eloquent in its call for thought ahd prayer, and it also was synonymous with loss. Over 16.000 of the flower of New Zealand slept beneath foreign skies, but in their death he saw life, and in their loss gain. Anzac’s message could be explained in a few u r ords: “Greater love hath po man than this, that a man Jay down his life for his friends.” While Anzac gave a message, it at the same time gave a call. To-day we were in the throes of a world economic crisis. This was a comfnon cause just as much as was the late war, and whilst we paid honour to the glory of the soldiers, let us follow in their footsteps and conduct our lives in the interests of the common welfare. It seems that in days of peace we lost the real aim of life in the struggle of private competition. Anzac’s watchwords were “Others; Posterity.” Should not they be inscribed upon our hearts and be lived in ceaseless selfless expression ? MAGISTRATE’S COURT. A short sitting of the Temuka Magistrate's Court was held before Messrs W. F. Evans and H. E. Gapper, J.’s.P., cn Monday morning. Arthur John Harold Parker Gilbert, of Temuka, aged 20 years, was charged with stealing, at Temuka, on August 28th, a riding saddle, the property of Arthur Hobson Ellis. He was further charged with stealing between August Ist and 31st, 1932, a .22 calibre rifle, valued at 10 -. the property of Alexander Baird Ramsay. A third charge was one of being in possession of a rifle for longer than 7 days, while being a person other than a licensed dealer. Accused pleaded guilty to all three charges. Sergeant Hill said defendant had admitted (he theft of the saddle. He had been in possession of it for six months, although he had used it only lately. The rifle was stolen when the defendant had occasion to visit a place at Washdykc. In reply to the Bench. Gilbert said he had nothing to say. The Bench remarked that apparently Gilbert had had chances in the past. It was to be regretted that he had lapsed. It might be said for him that lack of parental control had been partly responsible, and the Probation Officer’s report was otherwise satisfactory. Defendant was admitted to two years’ probation, a special condition being that he forbears from using a firearm other than a shotgun in that time. An order for the return of the goods was made. Mr E. Cholerton representing John R. Procter. Ltd., the Premier Opticians, of Christchurch, will be visiting Temuka on Saturday. April 29tli. and may be consulted on all defects of eyesight at the Crown Hotel