ANZAC DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17008, 5 April 1923, Page 8

ANZAC DAY.

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ARRANGEMENTS.

Arrangements by the Christchurch branch of . the Returned Soldiers’ Association for observing next Anzac Day. April 25. are more extensive than those of any previous year.

There will be a reunion of comrades in the war on the evening of April 24 at a smoke concert in the Art Gallery. when a patriotic address will be presented to his Excellency’ the Gover-nor-General, who has promised to attend. General Sir Andrew Russell, president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, and Sir Heaton Rhodes, Minister for Defence, will also be present. The function trill be open to returned soldiers, sailors and ex-Imperial soldiers. On April 25, representatives of the association will attend the ceremony of lay’ing t-he foundation stone of the Bridge of Remembrance, and will place a wreath on the stone. Returned soldiers. sailors and nurses will parade in Cranmer Square at 2 p.m.. and will march in procession to the King Edward Barracks. The procession will be headed by a gun-carriage, draped with a Union Jack, and bearing a “ digger’s ” hat and rifle. The gun-carriage will be followed by a squad of wreathbearers. carrying wreaths sent by local bodies, business firms, and relatives of fallen soldiers. His Excellency and Genera! Russell will lie in the procession. They will be followed by returned soldiers and sailors, nurses. Territorials and Cadets. Several bands intend to take part in the proces-sion. which will march through some of the principal streets of the city.

General Russell will preside at the memorial service in the Barracks at 2.30 p.m. Tho Prime Minister will be the principal speaker, and the Gover-nor-General will read a lesson from the Scriptures; and the rest of the service will be taken by returned chaplains and padres. Mr A. Bid good’s orchestra will provide the music, and. a united choir will lead the singing. After the service returned soldiers will march in procession to the Anglican Cathedral, where wreaths will be hung.

The Christchurch branch of the association has arranged for an Anzac Dayessay competition in the primary schools in the Canterbury Education District, which includes the est Coast. The subject is £ ’ Anzac Day and its Significance to New Zealand and New Zealanders.” Some 400 circulars. supplying details, have been sent to head masters. The Anzac Ban ner donated bv Mrs G. Rhodes will he presented to the school with the highest aggregate marks, and a special prize of £1 Is will be given to the bov or girl with the highest marks. Professor H. Stewart will be judge of the ess a vs. The banner at present is held by the Greymouth District High School.