ANZAC DAY.

Thames Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 18480, 26 April 1932, Page 2

ANZAC DAY.

HONOURED AT THAMES. Parade and Services. IMPRESS] VE ADDRESSES. MANY BEAUTIFUL WREATHS. The seventeenth anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Military Forces on the Gallipoli Peninsula, was reverently observed at Thames yesterday. At the Central and South Schools, impressive ceremonies were conducted in the presence of a large gathering of scholars, an important portion of the function being the placing of a large number of beautiful wreaths on the schools' memorials. At the South School, Lieut. H. Marshall gave an excellent address to the gathering on the immoral landing, and implored his listeners to encourage, by example, honour, courage and unselfishness. During the ceremony, Miss Sarah Grant ably recited "For the Fallen," while Bracken's "New Zealand Anthem," Kipling's "Recessional," and Douglas Taylor's "For Anzac Day," were sung in company, the function concluding with the singing of the National Anthem. At the Central School, a similar function was held, in the presence of a large attendance of parents ana scholars, Captain Llggins, N.Z.M.C, giving a most appropriate address to the children on what the word "Anzac" stood for, the landing at Gallipoli, the hardships endured, and the famous evacuation. He impressed on his hearers that the Anzac observances were not to gTorify war, but to instill in the minds of the young the necessity to use every endeavour in their lives for the preservation of peace. After the address, which was listened to with rapt attention, Miss Joyce Benjamin excellently recited the appropriate piece, "For the Fallen." The hymns sung by all present were: "O God, Our Help in Ages Past," "The Anzac Hymn," and "The Recessional." The pupils, old scholars, teachers and parents then marched to the Memorial Gates, where many beautiful wreaths were deposited. The singing of the National Anthem brought an impressive ceremony to a close. The Parade and Service. A lengthy procession of returned soldiers, volunteers, firemen, High School cadets, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts and wreath bearers from the schools, paraded under Major T. McCarroll, and, headed by the Hauraki Band, marched from the Drill Hall to the Cenotaph in Pollen Street, where many beautiful wreaths were placed on the base, the first being placed by the Mayor of Thames, Mr S. Ensor. The ceremony concluded with "The Last Post," and the National Anthem. - The procession then marched to St. George's Church, where the memorial service was held, the large church being crowded. The Rev. A. Fear, chaplain to the Forces and president of the Ministers' Association, presided. A most stirring address was delivered by Rev. A. G. Dawson, lieutenant of the Imperial Forces, who showed how the greed, covetousness and idolatry of the German war lords had caused the loss of millions of brave men and women, whose noble deeds would live for ever. The remembrance of the splendid sacrifices of our boys should make New Zealanders a united people. He called upon all patriotic New Zealanders to work for the general welfare of this beautiful land, and show by example and precept that those who paid the supreme sacrifice had not died in vain. The hymns, "God of Our Fathers," "O God, Our Help in Ages Past," and 'Thy Kingdom Come, O God," were sung by the congregation, and Mr W. S. Johnston contributed the solo, "The Trumpeter." The impressive ceremony concluded 'with the singing of the National Anthem. CELEBRATED AT TURUA. Anzac Day was fittingly observed at Turua yesterday. A suitable service, organised by the chairman of the Turua Town Board, Mr J. M. Mules, Rev. E. G. Ault (Church of England), Mr R. J. Currie (Presbyterian), and Mr Hindmarsh (Methodist), took place in the Turua Town Hall. The weather was perfect, and there was a good attendance.

An address was delivered by Mr Hindmarsh.

At the conclusion of the service, wreaths were placed at the foot of the Roll of Honour by Mr J. B. McMillan and Miss Vera Loader, on behalf of the Turua townspeople and school children, respectively.