ANZAC DAY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18162, 26 April 1921, Page 4

ANZAC DAY.

LOCAL CELEBRATIONS. SERVICES AT COOK’S GARDENS. Anzac Day was celebrated in Wanganui yesterday by a service at Cook’s Gardens. At 2 p.m. a procession led by the Quen Alexandra Band and comprising the Wanganui Pipe Band, Salvation Army Band, and members of the Returned Soldiers’ Association marched from the Returned Soldiers’ Club to the Gardens, where there was a large gathering of the public. The weather was threatening, but remained fine.

Addressing the gathering the president of the Wanganui Returned Soldiers’ Association (Mr F. K. Turnbull) said that they had gathered to do honour to the memory of their fellow soldiers who fell in the Great War. The day chosen had been set apart by the people of New Zealand as a public holiday, being the anniversary of the landing of the British forces at Gallipoli. It was also a day to pay a tribute to their fellow soldiers who fell in Egypt, Palestine, France and Belgium. They came in sorrow and pride; pride that they as a country had been able to do their share in the fight for justice and freedom. If the call came again the returned soldiers and their younger brothers would respond.

The Rev. A. 0. Williams took as his text: “Greater love hath no man than he who lays down his life for his friends.” He did not think the people who stayed at home realised what the soldiers went through. The gratitude of New Zealand was due to the soldiers. He hoped that the anniversary would be observed as long as New Zealand remained. He was glad that the Returned Soldiers’ Association had given a lead. It was repugnant that the day should be observed merely as a holiday. One of the most pathetic sights was the crippled men who had returned. His heart went out to the returned soldiers who had settled on the land and were faced with a slump. He hoped that the people would see to it and that the Government would back them up to pull them through until better days dawned* He reminded them of the sacrifice made for everyone by the Son of God, who laid down His life on Calvary's Cross in order “that you and I might live for ever.” He died not only for His friends, but for His enemies; for those who hated Him, for those who ) took His name in vain. That was nearly 2000 years ago, but His preI clous blood had been flowing to | cleanse the sins of the world. As I they honoured the returned soldiers ] they should honour Him and put Him in the right place in the throne room of their hea,rts.. The hymns “O God Our Help in Ages Past,” “Abide With Me,” and Kipling’s Recessional were sung. The Rev. Noble offered a prayer, the Rev. Campbell read a portion of the scripture, and the* Rev. Dudley pronounced the Benediction. At the conclusion the Last Post was played. ANZAC SERVICE. The Ingestre Street Baptist Church was crowded on Sunday evening, when the Pastor, Rev. Stanley Jenkin, conducted a service of commemoration for the gallant dead. rhe Roll of Honour was draped with a Union Jack, and a beautiful floral wreath hung above the names of those who had paid the supreme price of our liberties. The ogranist, Mr Ray Nelson played Chopin’s “Funeral March” most impressively, and Mr Honeycombe sang the “Requiem” very feelingly. Mr Jenkin took for his text Psalm 6. 12. He said it was possible to overdo the “gunpowder and glory” business. Nothing could conceal the grim horor of war, and yet by some mysterious psychology our feelings of revulsion for war became transmuted into admiration and reverence for those who gave their lives in battle for a great cause. The ghastliness of war was a dank background against which the glory of personal sacrifice has often been shown. In the fateful months of 1914 the word “Duty” was written large across the nation’s sky, and at its behest the nation’s best forsook trades, professions, success, love and a sheltered manhood, resolved that with God’s help the flag of a foreign power should never supplant the flag of the free. Vacant chairs in many a home and crosses gleaming white on many a battlefield attest the supreme sacrifice paid for our life and liberties. Let us rise and “build the better world;” let us live to make the nation purer. “God make us better men.” The sounding of the “Last Post” and the hymn “Abide With Me” closed a solemn service. CELEBRATIONS AT AUCKLAND. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 25. There is perfect weather for Anzac Day which is practically a complete holiday. The observations began with a parade of returned soldiers from the wharf to the Town Hall, including a draped gun carriage, with eight petty officers from the Philomel in the position of pall bearers. Mayor Gunson presided at the memorial service. Tho speakers were Bushop Averill, Rev. D. Herron (Presbyterian), Commissioner Hodder (Salvation Army). This afternoon the monument erected at Waikumetc by the Auckland R.S.A. will be unveiled by Mayor Chaytor, the Hon. Lee also attending. The Victoria League placed wreaths

on soldiers’ graves in two cemeteries. They included a very line floral emblem from the Soldiers’ Mothers’ League. Services wore held in churches.

IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES IN WELLINGTON.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 25. To-day's ceremonies in connection with Anzac Day were remarkable for their Impressiveness. In the morning a service for the children was held at a cenotaph erected oiamx . Parliamentary grounds. Thousands of little ones attended, bringing wreaths and floral emblems, which were deposited at the foot of the cenotaph, erected by the R.S.A. A short service was held. The principal speaker was the Rev. Ven. Archdeacon Wilson. After hymns the “Last Post” -was sounded. Throughout the day the cenotaph was visited by thousands, wreaths and flowers covering the green sward. Children from all schools attended. Later in the day portion of the wreaths were removed to Karori Cemetery and placed on the graves of the many soldiers interred there. This work was entrusted to the Women’s National Reserve girls’ club, the members of which have tended the soldiers’ graves at Karori all the year. In the afternoon a memorial service was held in the Town Hall, which was crowded with people. Veterans, returned men, territorials and the general public attended, but no formal parade was held. The gathering was of a semi-military character, remarkable for its solemn impressiveness and the whole-souled manner in which the huge assemblage of men and women, many of whom had lost dear ones, joined in the simple but touching service. The only speaker in the Town Hall was the Rev. Feildlng Taylor, who delivered a most impressive address, which was listened to with rapt attention. The Salvation Army played Chopin’s Funeral March. Mr. Bernard Page, the City Organist, accompanied the singing of the vast assemblage.

AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, April zts. Anzac Day was observed as a close holiday. A united memorial service in the Town Hall in the morning was preceded by a procession to the Hall. Over one thousand returned men made the march through dense crowds of people, who lined the footpaths. In the procession was a gun-carriage draped with the Union Jack and drawn by seven horses. On each side were four chief petty officers of H.M.S. Philomel as! pall-bearers, and immediately fob? lowing Commander Walsh and Gunner Tregellis of the Philomel. Preceding the gun-carriage was a firing party of twenty bluejackets. The service in the Town Hall was very impressive. An obelisk erected by the Returned Soldiers’ Association in memory of fallen. comrades was unveiled in Waikumete cemetery by General Chaytor, officer commanding the New Zealand Forces. A wreath from the citizens of Auckland was placed at the foot of the obelisk bv the Mayor. After the “Last Post" had been sounded, others present placed wreaths on the memorial, which soon became a mass of flowers. • » * AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, April 25. The weather was dull and overcast., A big parade of returned soldiers, territorials and cadets marched through crowded streets of the city to the King Edward Barracks, where a combined comprehensive memorial service was held. Afterwards many wreaths were deposited’ in the Cathedral, where very largely attended services were held throughout the day. The whole of the gatherings throughout the day were marked by quiet solemnity. T A MESSAGE FROM ANZAC OOVE. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 25. The Defence Department has received the following cable from General Hunter-Weston, Chanalt Gallipoli:— Please have the following published so as to reach as many of our comrades in New Zealand as possible: - “To the survivors of those 4 who fought at the Dardanelles—On this the sixth anniversary of the original landing, and in the name of the sailors, soldiers and airmen of the Home country who fought by your side, I, the old commander of the 29th Division, am participating in a commemorating service held at Anzac Cove, and am laying on the site of your glorious achievement a wreath of wild flowers gathered from the soil made forever sacred to us by blood shed in the Empire’s cause. May we who have survived do our best to spread the spirit of cheerfulness and self-sacrifice of devotion to duty and comradeship which they so gloriou ly exemplified, and so helped to attain the ideals for which we fought (Signed) Alymer Hunter-Weston Chanak.”