TE AWAMUTU.

Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 20, 23 June 1911, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU.

At 10.30 a.m. a procession, headed by the Te Awamutu Town Band, proceeded from the Military Cemetery to the Town Hall, where a service of the combined churches was held. In (his precession there were represented the Junior Cadets, Mounted Rifles, Pride of Te Awamutu .Lodge, U.A.0.D., Leva! Te Awamutu Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U. The military arrangements were in the hands of Col. H. R. Ryder and Staff Sergt. Hatt. The junior cadets were controlled by Mr F. D. Wood, and Captain Berry was in charge of the Mounted Rifles. As the weather at this time was favourable, service was held on the green adjoining the hall. Scripture lessons were read by the Rev. Lamond, and the recitai of the solemnities of Coronation was delivered by the Rev. Wool lass. The Te Awamutu Town Band and the united-church choirs led the singing. In his address the Rev. F. W. Clarke based Ids remarks on the words, "The Lord hath set a King over you. If ye will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and the King that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your Gocl. But if ye shall do wickedly ye shall be consumed both ye and your King." He pointed out that lasting national well-being was never separated in Scripture from a reverent acknowledgment of the sovereignty of God, and once prosperity was regarded as of purely human origin, and people became arrogant; their doom was sealed. He referred to several ancient dynasties whose pomp and glory were only excelled by their wickedness, and upon whom there came, as an inevitable consequence, a swift destruction. Especially was this the case with the great maritime power, "the mart of many nations," whose commerce spread to all the then known world. All the isles and all the nations were under tribute to her, until her wealth became so great and her power so absolute that, dazzled by her own magnificence, she exclaimed, " I sit in the seat of God," Then came the prophet of Gocl to proclaim her utter annihilation —that her walls should be destroyed, her towers broken down, and the very site of the city be covered with water and become " a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea". To-day the desolate ruins of that once proud and lofty city form the most striking and awful example of the literal fulfilment of prophecy, and, amid the columns that supported her colossal architecture, fishermen now ply their nets, and leave their refuse to rot under the glare of a Syrian sun. And so to every prosperous nation there comes a time of crisis a time when her most dangerous enemies are not the foes that threaten her from afar, but the enemies within the gates._ All who know anything of history know that prosperity and her twin sisters luxury and pride have proved the downfall oi many a mighty kingdom, and it is well that our most serious attention should be directed to this fact, lest in our aTiiuence we give way to ease and softness and forget the laws of Him without Whom no throne is secure. Another enemy within oar gates is the systematic neglect on the part .of heads of families of the observance of public worship, and in some cases the ignoring of the obligations of religion altogether, regardless of the woeful effects of example on those who to-morrow will be the custodians of our national honour and integ-

rity. He concluded by saying if we are loyal subjects of our King, and, what is more, if we desire to serve Gocl in our clay and generation, let us do our best to help forward what the King is pledged to do i.e. to "restore that which is decayed" that our nation may never become as other nations who have ' mitted their destiny and sunk into oblivion. At the conclusion of the service the Cadets and Mounted Rifles saluted the flag. Early in the afternoon the school children assembled, and sports were held in the Town Hall.

Following are the results of races : Under 7 years (boys). —P. Short, K. .Bowden; Girls—M. Clark, M. Tremain. 7 to 10 Years (boys). —L. Edgecumbe, K. Gupwell. Girls —R. Merryweather, K. Head. 10 to 12 (boys).—D. Merryweather, F. Hall; Girls —V. Clarke, M. Miller. 12 to 14 (boys). —Reekie, Hall, Bowden; Girls—V. Hutt, H. Hutt, V. Kimber, 14 to 16 (boys).—Andrews, Sauhderson.

Winners of Tug-of-War. —H. Thomas, K. Hinton, V. Middlebrook, D. Wallace. L. Davis, D. Merryweather, J. Walsh, R. Clark, N. Clark, F. Hall, W. Midcllebrook, H. Johnson. This event was most keenly contested, and roused the onlookers to frantic enthusiasm.

Sack Race.—T. Finch 1, Pellow 2, Henare Tai 3. The winner was by far the smallest of the contestants. His win was intensely popular, and four of his big schoolfellows " chaired " him round the hall.

Refreshments were duly served to the children and done full justice to. Souvenir cards were presented by the committee to each child present, together with ' the medals. The following cable was sent: Their Majesties, London, " Loving allegiance. Kia Ora." School Children, Te Awamutu. In the evening a grand concert was held in the Town Hall. In spite of an absolute downpour, which no doubt prevented many from being present, the hall was packed. The following programme was rendered :—Overture, "II Trovatore," Te Awamutu Town Band ; quartette, " Dat's Berry Queer," Quartette Party; song, "Winds in the Trees," Miss Ring; comic song, " Shifted Lower Down," Mr Baker; piano solo, " Spanish Dance No. 6" Miss Calypso Brook; song, "' The King's Minstrel," Mr Horspool; song, " She wore a wreath of roses," Mrs Wooliass ; song, " I ' Love a Lassie" Mr Stuart: piano solo, "' Marche Militaire," Miss Calypso Brook•; song, " Songs of Araby," Mr Blennerhassett; song "An Emblem," Miss Rang ; song, " Yip-I-addy-i-ay," Mr Geo. Warren ; song, " King Charles,'* Mr Warburton ; comic song, Mr Baker; selection, " Ora Pro f Nobis," Te Awamutu. Town Band. Each item was very well rendered, in many cases encores being demanded. Misses Rickit and Brook,were accompanists for the evening. After supper had been served, • dancing was commenced and kept up until the early hours.