ANZAC DAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 96, 26 April 1938, Page 2

ANZAC DAY

RETITONED SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED As long as the present generation remains in New Zealand Anzac Day will always be a sacred trust. It will always be regarded as New Zealand’s great day; her sacred day. The spirit which made it the Dominion’s day of remembrance carries it on. Servicemen assemble each year in honour 01 those who fell over twenty years ago, and also in honour of the kin of the fallen.

And the women do their part in the day's ceremonial. For several years now they have arranged afternoon tea—no small task—and entertained all returned soldiers and men on parade at the conclusion of the Anzac service. It is a kindly thought that is very much appreciated by the men. Those who assist the Mayoress in this work are the wives of the councillors, members of the Victoria League and Plunket Society. Towns-

women’s Guild, Women's Division of the Farmers’ Union, Y.M.C.A. Ladic 0 ’ Auxiliary, and Aramoho Women’s Institute. During the morning preparations had been made in the Drill Hall; long tables placed and decorated with poppies, red dahlias and other flowers in the same colouring arranged with autumn foliage. Plates were piled high with delectable sandwiches, savouries and cakes of all kinds.

The rain, which had poured down incessantly all night and during the morning continued throughout the afternoon, so that services had to be held indoors, at the Opera House ano Majestic Theatre. At the conclusion of the service the men marched to the Drill Hall, where they were welcomed and then served with tea, refreshments and cigarettes. The men congregated in friendly groups round the tables, the hostesses attending to them and seeing that all were served.

After a few short speeches, cheers were called for those who had provided such an excellent afternoon tea, the men heartily singing “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” Tables arranged and helpers were as follows: Mayoress and councillors wives, two tables, one in charge oi Mesdame.s W. J. Rogers (Mayoress), J. B. Cotterill, C. R. White, J- Liddells, O. Hales, and Mrs F. Wilkie (deputising for Mrs Sperring); at the second table were Mesdames L. F. Row, W. J. Stone, J. D. Crowley, A. E. Halligan, Garland Jones and Miss Bait.

Victoria League: Mesdames A. 11. Boyes, N. R. Bain, F. P. Taiboys and Miss Harrison.

Plunket Society: Mesdames H. p Robertson, H. Keesing and G. Currie. Y.M.C.A. Ladies’ Auxiliary: Mesdames J. A. Hair, G. A. McDougal, R. Bond, F. Carpenter, H. L. Dustin, Allen, Bonner, G. S. Simpson, T. R. Ellis, H. Rowling and Miss H. Dustin. Townswomen’s Guild: Table No. 1, Mesdames J. G. Denniston, E. Crosby, Martin, D. G. O'Toole, Bullock, Batt; second table, Mesdames Bates, Goidon, Burns, Williams, S. Robinson. Robbins, Rice and Miss Moore. Women’s Division of the Farmers' Union: Mesdames ,S. Scott, Grey, Soundy, Burtt, Butcher, Hood, A. McPhail, McLeay, J. Blyth, Wickham. Misses Polson and Matthews. Aramoho Women's Institute: Mesdames A. Gould, O. R. Calhro, R. A. Goodey, M. Webb, Flyger, Caiman, Breton, Booth, Morcan, Noble, McNeil, Goldthorpe, Batchelor, Stillborn, Hutton and Miss Brown. St. Vincent de Paul: Mesdames Dwyer, L. Sharland, M. M. Wood, A. MacDonald, Sharpe; Misses M. Kennedy and Boyle.

Co-operative Women's Guild and Labour Party: Mesdames Goulci, Rockel, Parker, Baynton and Miso Gould. Also assisting were the individual members of the League of Mothers.