HAPPY SCENES

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23281, 17 August 1945, Page 4

HAPPY SCENES

Nelson Rejoices (N.Z.P.A.) NELSON, Aug. 16. Never before has Nelson seen such happy scenes of community rejoicing as during V-J Day. Yesterday the city let its hair down, as it were, and the thousands thronging the streets gave themselves over to revelry on a scale which will never be forgotten. A large crowd attended at the church steps an hour after the news was received to hear a brief address by the Mayor and a suitable prayer of thankfulness. In the evening the churches were well filled. A torchlight procession and bonfire on Miller’s Acre, when effigies of Hitler and Tojo were burned, provided the chief entertainment at night. The high spirits of yesterday gave way to a more sober mood to-day, when the largest crowd ever seen in Trafalgar Street took part in the civic service of thanksgiving. Four bands led a procession of school children, exservicemen and other organisations. An impressive feature was a minute’s silence in remembrance of the fallen. The celebrations were favoured by warm, sunny weather.