WAIMATE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19474, 26 April 1933, Page 7

WAIMATE

ANZAC DAY CELEBRATIONS. At Waimate yesterday the celebration of Anzac Day was carried out with due solemnity, under the auspices of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. At the Drill Hall a procession was formed up comprising the following units: Firing party, under Captain G. H. O. Barclay; 24 wreath-bearers, under Mr d' A. S. Grut; Waimate Silver Band, under Bandmaster H. F. Vincent; Returned Soldiers, 39 strong; High School Cadets, under Captain G. Aitken; C.Y.C., 5 strong; Waimate Pipe Band, under Pipe-Major A. Segar; High School Girl Pupils (56), under Mis es Borrie and Sewell; Salvation Army Band, under Ensign Searle, and the following representatives of mun'cipal bodies: Hon. J. Bitchener (Waimate County Council); the Mayor (Mr G. Dash); Town Clerk (Mr B. S. Runciman) and Councillors W. G. Paul. C. T. Hodges, S. I. Fitch. G. F. Richardson, J. T. Hay and A. J. Hoskins (Waimate Borough Council).

The pro"ession marched to the South African War Memorial, at the base of which wreaths were placed, and after volleys had been fired, the “Last Post” was sounded by Bugler L. V. Bventon,

and the process on headed for Olympia Hall for the religious ceremonies. At the Hall, where, over 700 people assembled. the stage was occupied by representatives of the churches, local bodies and the Returned Soldiers’ Asociation.

Mr G. J. Menz'.es. president of the Waimate branch of the Association, said it was gratify ng to see so large an attendance. He tendered thanks for the excellent response by the residents to the Poppy Day appeal of the R.S.A., which was formed to assist returned men who found themselves up against it. The public could rest assured that the results of their generosity were put to the best advantage.

Rev. W. F. Nichol then led in The Lord's Prayer, Ensign W. Searie gave a Scripture reading, and the Waimate Pipe Band played the lament “Flowers of the Forest.”

The address was given by Rev. A. K. Warren, M.A., Vicar of St. Augustine’s Church, who said that they were only a tiny part in a great corporate act of commemoration.v He was not qualified to speak from personal experience of Gallipoli and the war, and was not going to offer any platitudes about the material muddle the world had got into since those men died. He was going to speak of Anzac Day solely in the light of what Christian people believed and hoped. That day they put j the clock back. They did not stand in pity, or even in great sorrow l . Those who gave their lives would not ask for pity, nor would they have us sorrow unduly. “As Christian people we believed they are far above our pity. They i are not forgotten, and we stand here ! linked closely to them as tangible evidj ence that love is stronger than death.” We remembered in gratitude their selfj lessness, courage, and loyalty, and long i to bring those characteristics into our ! own war with life. We needed above ; all selflessness, which was only another name for self-sacrifice. Christ was the most selfless man the world had known. Very close to His example came the sacrifice of so many who went willingly to war, or a spirit of selfless sendee. The R.S.A. executive was a typical example of self-sacrifice, giving their time and work for the benefit of their comrades, and they needed to apply this spirit in every department of life. The speaker referred to the necessity for helping fellow citizens in distress, and mentioned several organisations which would administer gifts. “In memory of those who set such a high standard of self-sacrifice, it is up to us not to fail.” The speaker then addressed a word to those receiving help, asking them to receive it in the spirit in which it was given, and counselling them against squandering help given at a sacrifice and so alienating public sympathy. Mr Warren concluded — “Not in a note of solemnity. Sir Charles Fergusson had said there was a danger of Anzac Day being made too mournful, and they should make it rather a day of reverent rejoicing.” After the hymn “The Supreme Sact rifice” had been sung, the Waimate Silver Band played “The Garland of Flowers." The hymn “God of Our Fathers” preceded the pronouncement of the Benediction by Rev. A. M. Costain, and the service at the Hall concluded with the National Anthem. The procession reformed and marched to the Soldiers’ Memorial Arch, where the laying of wreaths and the Roll Call was followed by a reading of “Extract from Orations to Athenians,” by Rev. A. M. Costain. Volleys, “Past Post,” and "Reveille,” brought the impressive ceremonies to a close. UNEMPLOYMENT. As an outcome of the deputation of Waimate relief workers which waited upon him on Saturday last, the Minister for Public Works (Hon. J. Bitj ohener) on Monday forwarded the fol- j , lowing telegram to Hon. Adam Hamil- | 1 (on, Minister of Unemployment:— j "Large deputation unemployed Wai- • mote on Saturday, discussed deplorable ■ ■orditions. Remembering attitude of j i Waimate unemployed whom you quote ! as examples, would earnestly suggest j full allocations be made Waimate j : henceforth, as acute want is accumu- i ;- r r : from shortened relief days only o ble under present part allocation. Chairman Unemployment Committee here joins me in this request.” 1 In reply to his telegram re unemI ployment in Waimate, sent to the Minrter of Unemployment on Monday, the Hon. J. Bitchener. Member for Waitaki. has received the following reply: “Your telegram regarding unemployment allocation for Waimate received, and I appreciate your anxiety, but Waimate allocation is on the same basis as similar towns throughout New Zealand; also Waimate allocation considerably greater than this time last year. Latest registrations show, however, that it is possible to make a supplementary grant of £l6/13/- for next week, and this is being arranged.” CROWN TENANTS. On Friday last Mr D. C. Kidd, Crown tenants' representative on the Canterbury Land Board, paid a visit of inspection to various settlements in the Hunter district, and in the evening attended a meeting of settlers in the Teschemakers Schoolroom. Mr J. J. J Gregan presided over a large attendance. Mr Kidd briefly addressed the meeting, and said the object of his visit was to gain first-hand knowledge of the conditions prevailing. He believed that only by visits of this kind and by coming in personal contact with the settlers would he become conversant with the difficulties confronting them. Such j knowledge, he said, would be useful to I him in his capacity as their representative on the Beard. The Board fully [ tealised the diff'OUbies which many of j

j the settlers were up against, and was doing its ly.-st to meet the position, but he reminded them that the Board was an administrative body, not a legislative body, su tnnr powers were limited. He urged them all to carry on their farms to the best of their ability, for it was the genuine trier that the Board was out to help, and he was the man who, when prices recovered would be in a position to take advantage of it. Mr Kidd also referred co the good work done by the Crown Tenants’ Association, and altnough a young body it had made remarkable progress, branches having been formed ai over the South Island and some in the far North. He urged settlers to give ihe Association their hearty support, and I e maintained that this body, properly organised and carried along on sound constitutional lines, had rrreac prospects. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr K ; dd was accmded a hearty vote cf thanks RUGBY SUB-UNION. | A meeting of the delegates to the I Waimate Rugby Sub-Union was held !on Monday night. Present: Mr J. V. | Riach (vice-president, in the chair), i and Messrs A. W. Sawell, V. M. Horn, I F\ Mcßride. A. J. Harris. W. Jones, J. ' C. Winning, A. Williams, G. Kilworth, and J. Bench. The appointment of Mr M. Healey as the Sub-Union’s delegate to the South Canterbury Union was confirmed. Applications of Makikihi, Morven, j and Glenavy schools for donations toI wards the purchase of school footballs, were granted. Mr Sawell’s motion that covering letters should be sent with the donations stating that schools so assisted were expected to compete in the annual seven-a-side tournament was carried. On the motion of Messrs Winning and Mcßride it was decided to reduce the donation to schools from 10/- to 7/6 on account of the state of the finances. The application of W. Wyndham for a transfer from Old Boys to Huimai Club was held over. Messrs Keyes, Winning, Riach and the secretary were appointed a subcommittee to scrutinise the lists of players. On receipt of an application from the Waimate Golf Club for the use of Manchester Park for coaching purposes, the chairman said that he understood that one reason why a rebate of rates for the Sub-Union had been refused was the granting of the free use of the grounds. Mr Sawell undertook to place the matter of a donation to the funds before the Golf Club. In the meantime the application was granted. On the motion of Mr Dench it was resolved to strictly enforce the rule that no player shall be regraded after June Ist. Referees’ Association. A letter was received from the Referees’ Association stating that owing to the difficulty of obtaining members, ! the Association was forced to resign. | Mr L. C. Hobbs, who was present at the meeting, explained that no new | members had come forward, and the : old members had felt that, having | given their services for several years, • they should now be free to partake of ; other pastimes. The sole reasons for the Association disbanding were as stated. Of all the players who had taken part in the sport for some years, not one had come forward to offer his services as a referee. The chairman said that the position was a most serious one, and he thought every member of the Sub-Union should hunt round in an endeavour to secure old players to offer their services. Mr Hobbs said he thought it would be useless to ask the Referees* Association to reconsider its decision as the members had definitely arranged to spend their time otherwise. Mr Williams said that as a new member of the Sub-Union he was disappointed to know that the referees had pulled out. He would move, however, that they be accorded a hearty vote of thanks for their past services, and that they be asked to give what assistance possible in the future. Mr Riach seconded the motion, and stated that the standard of refereeing in Waimate in the past was very high. The motion was carried unanimously, and it was agreed that members should try to secure the services of suitable ex-players available. Grounds Committee. In regard to Mr Dench’s suggestion to engage unemployed returned soldiers to do the work necessary to put the grounds in playing order, Mr Horn’s offer to donate £1 for the purpose was accepted with thanks, and it was resolved to subsidise this amount by £1 from the funds. Permission was granted to use No. 1 or No. 3 ground for a match on Thursday next between Huimai and Marist Clubs.