UNIVERSAL RELIEF

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23280, 16 August 1945, Page 4

UNIVERSAL RELIEF

Thanksgiving, Dedication And Remembrance (N.Z.P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 15. Several days spent in expectation that Japan’s capitulation would be announced at an yhour robbed the series of announcements broadcast this morning of only a little of their potency, though the reactions in Christchurch held less spontaneous excitement than might have been expected otherwise. The universal feeling of relief was reflected in the attendance of 6000 at Lancaster Park for the service of thanksgiving, dedication and remembrance. Many thousands of others joined in informal singing and dancing in the city’s streets throughout the day and evening. Paper litter was thrown from the Post Office and other buildings by employees giving way to their excitement when the new-s was first announced, and after whistles, bells and car horns had helped to spread the news, flags and bunting began to appear on buildings. The celebrations gathered impetus after the shops had closed, and several hundreds of persons attached themselves to bands marching through th city. Detonators were placed on some tram rails, and there was broken glass in a few streets bv to-night, but generally hooliganism was noticeably absent.