ANZAC DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13469, 26 April 1917, Page 5

ANZAC DAY

CELEBRATIONS AT HAMILTON. IMPRESSIVE GATHERINGS. The celebrations in connection with Anzac Day r', Hamilton, yesterday, 1 ,1 >"-' '■',■■ i' successful, notwithstanding the la. i „hat the weather was not all that could have been desired. The afternoon service, advertised to take place at Ferry Hank, was held in the rhentre Royal. The procession formed up opposite the Horse Bazaar, and consisted or a good muster of returned soldiers, under Staff Sergeant-Major feawrenee. together with the senior cadetr. The procession, headed by the rrankton Hand, marched to the Theatre Royal, which was soon firied to overflowing. The Service. The chair was taken bv the retiring Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, and the service '. was opened by singing the hymn, "On- •' ward, Christian Soldiers," led by the Frankton Hand under Bandmaster Dono Hi. The audience joined in he iiy. This was followed bv prayer delivered by Rev. J. D. McArth'ur, after which the lesson was read by Rev •I. T. Burrows. The hymn for the men at the front, "Lord, God of Hosts," was then sung, at the conclusion of which the chairman called upon Mr J. v A. Young, M.P., to deliver the adl dress. Mr Young's Address. In commencing his address, Mr Young touched upon the recognition and obßcrv ailce of "Event Days," by most nations and countries, and the importance and significance which was associated with them. He then took his audience back to the middle of 1914, when Germany, in so unprincipled a manner violated the neutrality of Belgium, though Germany itself was actually one of those nations who had guaranteed that very neutrality. This great war would make history," for it was to Ik> remembered that we had become involved in it to uphold the word honour of that great nation to which were proud to belong (applause). The call went forth to stand bv. and Britain answered that call with her "contemptible little army." which had accomplished heroic deeds in the face of great difficulties. That call had not only been answered in England, but had nlso extended to her oversea Dominions, and New Zealand was not behind in assisting in upholding the great principle of honour and justice which was at stake (applause).' The United States of America had recently come in—that creat nation which believed in and upheld the principle of equal rights and iustice to all men. President Wilson had stated during the course of a recent utterance, that they were putting up their hands against an nnprin- . cipled foe. who was striking at the verv roots of liberty. The speaker then made reference to the historic landing at Gallipoli. The word "Anzac' 'stood Tor the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, and would live for ever in the memory of the world's history, ' nn f£ ifter we had passed away (applause). New Zealand had made'great sacrifices and a new chapter had been opened up in the history of the world on that memorable day—the 25th of

April, 1915 (applause). He referred to fart tlint the men of the 16th WaiRegiment were the first New Zcalanders to land an that historic occasion (applause). By their deeds they had proved that they were ahle and worthy to uphold those creat traditions which had made the British nation what it was (applause). Mr Young stated that the Waikato's suffered no loss than 53.8 per cent in casualties on that day. He pointed out that the things wlvch nations did were the • things which made nations great. The old spirit of determination and courage had inspired those men, and their works and deeds would for ever live in the memory of man (applause). Those left hehind should do their utmost to help and assist the men who were fighting for them. "The price of liberty is oternal vigilance," was a true saying. The liberty of our nation was in danger, hut by eternal vigilance France arid Belgium were prepared to act

when the call came (applause). He was confident that in the fight against might, that right would succeed. We did not want to be a military nation, but we required freedom for oursselves, and declined to be overawed by the unprincipled few in Germany (applause). Mr Young said he wished to extend n hearty welcome to the heroes nf Gallipoli, and of other battlefields (applause). No payment or reward which could make could ever amnly repay tUotfe lads for the great sacrifice which had made for us (applause). He would appeal to those present to remember the men who had gone to the front, and the relatives of those who had made the great sacrifice; those who were in sickness, and those who bad given their sons and husbands in the cause of freedom. They required, and were entitled to. our sympathy and belp (applause). No greater sacrifice could be made by any man than giving up of his life, and how better could one die than in defence of his country. The works and deeds of these men were an inspiration to do things, and to do) those things well. "On the 25th day of April, 1915," added Mr Young, amidst much applause, "there was no going slow on the job." He made an eloquent appeal to his audience to aim for high ideals in a sense of liberty and righteousness, to do their best for those about them, and for their country and nation /applause). He asked them to remember that their nation was attacked, and it behoved them to do their duty, and not to adopt a spirit of faultfinding and criticism. There would be plenty el time to adjust their differ-

enoos after the war was over, but it their duty now to help the Governami put no their best efforts in the interests of their country. He intimated that within the next two or three monhs an effort would be made to establish :\ suitable memorial to the work and services of the men from No. 4 Military Croup. Mr IToijUig concluded an eloquent and improssivv* address by urping that the work done hy their boys nt Gallipoli should prove an inspiration and a. stimulant For the discharge of the highest duty, and that thev should he filled with gratitude for the immense service done, which would ever keep green in the memory of their country, and the British Empire (prolonged ar>plav«e). Till' e cheers were given for the returned men, for Mr Yorn", and a similar compliment was paid to the soldiers. The hymn, "O God Our Help." was next Mini/, followed bv the Benediction, pronounced hy Rev. J. T. Wallis. The hand then gave a fi-c rendering of "The Garland of Flowers," the nudistanding. The singing of the [ IRs'ntional Anthem brought the service, which had proved most impressive fchroiigout, to a conclusion. THE POST OFFICE CEREMONY. UNVEIIiTXfi ROLL OF HONOUR. ) The re-emonv in connection with the rnveiling of +!ie Roll of Honour at the Post, and Tdspranh Office. HamiljjSt ton. '■-"ik. place yesterday afternoon at and wag performed by Mr J.

A. Young, M.P., the departmental staff being assembled in the public office. Mr Young said he had great pleasure in accepting t\e invitation to unveil the Roll of Honour. He referred to the history of 1914, when Germany violated the neutrality of Belgium, and the subsequent events which brought the assistance of the overseas "Dominions to the aid of the Motherland in her great struggle for liberty and freedom. It (h - : '- duly, lie pointed out, to honour those who had offered their services, and those who had made great sacrifices for the freedom of the world.

The Roll would prove an everlasting mi morial to those of the Hamilton Post Office who had an > •■— -d. 'he call of their country. Now that America had come into the fight, the flag of that great country would no doubt be embodied in the flags of the Aliies now represented on the Roll. During the course of his address, Mi - Young said that about 1600 out of about 5000 officers of the Department were on active service. Private McGcehan, who had returned, was at the memorable landing at Gallipoli. Private Voight, of the sth Reinforcements, was on Gallipoli until the evacuation. He had since made the supreme sacrifice, and had done his duty for King and country, having died of wounds in Flanders. Lieutenant Olivers had been mentioned in despatches, a fact they were all proud of. Privates Hollywood, McQuillan (now wounded), and Pratt, received the military medal, and Lieut. W. S. Higginson had been wounded and had returned. Several of these men were now in Mesopotamia. Sapper Green was one of the 16 remaining out of 02 comprising the original wireless troop, and was last reported as being several miles north of Bagdad, right close up to the firing line. Owing to an oversight the name of Private Smyth, a Hamilton boy. had yet to he placed on the Roll, and this would be done at the first opportunity. Mi- Young concluded by congratulating the staff upon its record of service, and said that the action of those members who had responded to their country's call should prove an inspiration to those behind + o help in every way possible, and if the call did go out further, then they would do their duty also. He had great pleasure in declaring the Roll dulv unveiled (applause).

Just at this moment the Frankton Band struck up the National Anthem outside, which provided a most appropriate finale to the ceremonv just completed. Mr Wylie. postmaster, then thanked Mr Young for his courtesy in responding to the invitation. The Roll of Honour. The 801 lof Honour is a beautiful of work in picked heart of rimu. and consists of a finely polished tablet with scroll work and inscriptions. On the top annpars thp Latin quotation, "T)eus et Libertptns" (God and lib. ertv), ond lower the words "Post and Tplfxxraph Department, Hamilton." Then comes a handsome seriesof the flaps of the Allies in their respective colours, with the Union Jack in the centre. Over the tablet nortion of the 801 l are the words "Roll of Honour. For King and Conntrv." The following names are recorded theron in letters of gold:. J. McGcehan, H. C. P'Wp, F. Pardon. F. Smith. T. E. Hollvwood, M. MeKendrv, F. F. P. VoiVrtt. P. TV. Cant-well. J. Chivers. H. T. Wilkinson. L. T. Buekton, T. S. Orppn, W. P. Hicrsinson, M. Paramor, P MpQndlpn, J- Barr, F. A. Lowe. H. W. S. Oavies, E. E. Swoenev, and C. J. H. Currv.

The name of Private Symth has yet to V nrlrVd to the Roll. Th« Roll of Honour was executed by Mr W. Burrow, cabinet-maker, Victoria Street, to the order of the Post and Telegraph Department.

RETURNED SOLDIERS' DINNER

Last night the members of the Returned Soldiers' Association held their first annual dinner in the Theatre Royal, where a dainty meal was served by Miss Wallnutt. Major G. J. Rastriek, president of the Association, was in the chair, and there were about 80 present, including a number of honorary bers. After the loyal toast had been enthusiastically honoured the following toast list was dealt with: ' 'Army and Navv," Mr J. Boyes, responded to bv Mr J. A. Young, M.P.; "The Allies,'"' Mr A. E. Manning—Mr C. L. MacDiarmid; "Nurses and Bovs at the Front," Mr L. H. King—Mr J. W. Ellis, and Lieutenant 0. 3 Ellis; "Friendly Societies," Mr H Birch—Mr G. H. Ollard; ' Kindrea Sports," Mr J. McGeeham—Messrs Speight, Warren and Varney; "The Ladies," Lieut.- J. D. Campbell—Mr T. Cray; "Honorary Members," Major Rastriek—Mr J. H. Warren; "The Press," Mr H. Gardener—Mr R. J. Gwynne. Song and story were interspersed, the contributors being Messrs Frye, Stevens, de Silva, and King, Mr Gittos acting as accompanist. The gathering, after joining in a number of camp choruses, closed with Auld Lang i Syne and the National Anthem, the generally expressed wish *eing that the gathering lie made an annual one, and that in the future it would be held in the Association's own rooms. , SERVICE AT CAMBRIDGE. A highly successful Anzac commemoration gathering was held in the Town Hal', the Accommodation proving altogether inadequate. About 400 men from the training camps were present, bes'des a large number of returned soldiers. The fine band of the 16th (Waikato) Regiment was also present, and assisted in the musical programme. Spirited addresses were delivered bv the -Mayor and Revs. G. S. Cook and T. H. Roseveire. A well-trained/ choir, conducted by Mr G. Congalton, rendered special hymns, the arrangements being admirably carried out by a strong committee. CELEBRATIONS IN SYDNEY. Received April 25, 1.15 p.m. SYDNEY, April 25. The second anniversary of Anzac Day was celebrated by impressive memorial services, a parade of troops, including a detachment of New Zealand Rifles, recruiting rallies, and a torchlight procession. All traffic ceased for one minute at noon when the vast crowds in the decorated streets bared their heads. "I RECOMMEND RHEUMO." "I always recommend RHEUMO to anyone who suffers with Rheumatism or Gout," says Captain John Gibbs, lately of Auckland. He was nearly hent double with Rheumatism, and RHEUMO cured him. RHEUMO will cure you too—Lumbago, Rheumatism, Gout, Sciatica, all disappear before this proven remedy. RHEUMO cures from within—it seldom fails to cleanse the blood of uric acid—lotions cannot do the work. Cure yourself with RHEUMO. 2s (id and 4s*6d bottle.