ANZAC DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18929, 26 April 1933, Page 8

ANZAC DAY

HAMILTON REMEMBERS MEMORIAL SERVICE. AT SOLDIERS' PARK. ■ IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY. 1 The eighteenth anniversary of Anzac Day was commemorated in Hamilton yesterday with ceremony befitting such a solemn occasion. The hundreds of people who congregated at the Soldiers’ Memorial Park were perhaps the finest tribute that could have been paid to the ifien and women of illustrious memory, showing as they did that the passing of the years has not dulled the .sorrow-tinged pride or heartfelt thanks of those who remain. The commemorative ceremonies commenced with a march of veterans of the late war and South African war, territorials, cadets, hoy scouts, and girl guides, with the Waikato Regimental and Hamilton Municipal Band and the South Auckland Caledonian Pipe Band, from Ward Street to the Centotaph. The procession was piped into the park by the CaledonThe Mayor, Dr. F. D. Pinfold, presided, and associated with him on the flag-draped platform were Hon. J. A. Young and representatives or various churches, military and civil organisations. After the singing of the National Anthem the Mayor delivered the opening address. “Sorrow endureth for a night, but joy 'Cometh In the morning, Di. Pinfold commenced. "To-day, as we celebrate one of our anniversaries—in some ways a holy day—we have an opportunity of enriching ourselves by taking .something from it, before it passes into the limbo of forgotten things. We have the chance to take from it a note of triumph, which is ours for ever. “Poor indeed would we be to-day, pressed down as we are by a thousand sorrows, df we could not, with reverent J,oy, reoall the deeds of the flower of our Dominion, who went overseas, some never to return. And beggared entirely if we could not thank God that out of the heroism of our boys, sprang again into new life the finest and best of our British ideals of manhood. v "Thus should Anzac Day become a day of, rejoicing and a day of triumph. "Not even the passage of time, nor the lapse of memory can take away •the glory from the heroes. "The dead we hold in exalted reverence —but.what of the living? Are they not as worthy as they used to be? Or is It we, who fail to remember? “May I beg of you to rejoice to-day. Rejoice yourselves because the dead are with God, but give the living also: cause for rejoicing.” Upon the conclusion of the address the assembly joined in singing "O God Our Help in Ages Past.” Following an opening prayer by the Rev S. J. Atkins, Mr R. B. Cranwell, vice-president of the Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Association, read several passages from the Book of Deuteronomy, commencing with verse 7. A selection by the band followed.

Thanksgiving and Determination. ‘"What mean ye by this service?’ Thus the Jewish boy addressed his parents in regard to the Feast of the Passover. The answer was that it was a commemoration of the deliverance of a people from captivity and distress," said Lieutenant Colonel the Ven. Archdeacon H. A. Hawkins, the speaker of the day. » “When we commemorate these Anzao Days, that is the spirit we should regard them in. All that we think of to-day stands for the redemption and saving of a people. “It Is sometimes necessary in order fully to understand some important event in history, or the influence of some great personality, to ask ‘what would have happened if such an event had not taken place?’ Try to Imagine and visualise what would have happened if the Allies had not won the war. As a nation we are not over enthusiastic over our blessings or we would realise how fortunate we are In the turn of events. We are reading to-day of the conduct of our former enemies at the present time if they had'won we would have been worse off to-day. “The majority of those who are gathered here know nothing of war. A generation has arisen, making a third of the population of New Zealand, of young people under 25 years of age, who know nothing of those hideously ghastly years except by hearsay. We do not want to tell you of the horror or the hell.

“If it had not been fbr New Zealand’s little army of 99,500, things xyould have been critical. Of these 17,317 never returned, and don’t forget the 42,000 remaining, who are maimed and suffering, unfit to return to their former active lives. We remember the dead and all those men and women who went. “Out of remembrance must' come two results. The thanksgiving to God for our salvation from what might have been —thanks to those in the unseen who have given us our freedom. As well the determination that we shall carry on their spirit of selfsacrifice and make our country what they, could they now speak to us, would have It be. “Do for God’s sake stand up for God. Our boys died for righteousness —let us not he afraid to stand up for God." The address concluded, Kipling s “Recessional" was sung by the assembly. Hardly bad the last notes died away when from the hillside across River Road came the strains of the “Last Post," played by a regimental bugler.

This salute to the dead was followed by the wreath bearers, who laid many glorious floral tributes at Die base of the cenotaph. Each tree, planted in memory of some fallen man or woman, •hud its silent offerings of memory. ’l’lie profound silence was broken by the "Reveille,” which brought people from out of the past to the present. The solemn Benediction, pronounced by the Rev. W. M. Smallfleld, and the singing of the National Anlhem brought the proceedings to a close.

sermon based on the words: "My Soul hath them still in remembrance and Is humbled in me."

The preacher paid warm tribute t-Cr those who had unflinchingly responded to the call to duty abroad and at home, and strongly appealed to his hearers to guard and honour their heritage which had been so nobly preserved. Referring to the present economic stress, he deprecated the tendency to place materialism before the interests of humanity, and urged a recognition •of the fact that man is his brother’s keeper.

A strong choir, under the baton of Mr E. H. Apthorpe, led the psalmody and the service throughout was inspiring. On Sunday at the First Church, Presbyterian, Frankton, special Anzac commemorative services were held. The sermon was preached toy the Rev. S. J. Atkins, who spoke on the significance and saoredness of the day. There was a parade of the South Auckland Caledonian Pipe Band and First Frankton Boy Scouts and Cubs at the morning service. At the Baptist Church special reference on Sunday was made to Anzac Day. Yesterday at St. Peter’s Cathedral a solemn requiem was held. At St. George’s, Frankton and St. Aidan’s, Claudelands, special memorial services were held in the morning prior to the Cenotaph commemoration. Special appropriate prayers started the proceedings of a Camp Echo meeting at the Church of Christ, Claudelands. CAMBRIDGE MEMORIAL SERVICE. Anzao Day was fittingly celebrated In Cambridge yesterday, when an impressive memorial service was held In the Town Hall. The parade was led by the band, and Included a section of 130 exservicemen, followed by Terrltorlals : Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. An appropriate address was given by the Rev. James Richards. At the Cenotaph official wreaths were laid at the foot of the memorial and the “ Last Post” was sounded.

On Monday fitting services • were conducted at the primary and secondary departments of the schools, the addresses being given by Mr J. Richards!

SERVICE AT AUCKLAND.

HUGE CROWD IN DOMAIN,

AUCKLAND, Wednesday,

The Auckland observances centred on the green hill where stand the War Memorial Museum and the Cenotaph. It is doubtful if a larger crowd has ever gathered. The service was very impressive. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Government by Mr W. P. Endean, M.P.; by the Canadian Trade Commissioner, Mr C. M. Croft, on behalf of his Government; by the Mayor, Mr C. W. Hutchison, for the citizens; by M. Edouard Joubert and Mr A. M. Ferguson, Consuls for France and Belgium respectively, for the Consular Corps; and by Major-General Sir George Richardson for the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Wreaths for the Navy, military forces and Air Force were laid by Commander E. L. Berthon, Colonel J. E. Duigan and Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt respectively.

AT TE AROHA. A RECORD ATTENDANCE. (Special to Times.) TE AROHA, Wednesday. The attendance of the publio of town and district was the largest ever ■recorded on Anzao Day. Returned soldiers, bey scouts, members of St. John Ambulance and the Municipal Band assembled at the Monument, and formed a procession to the Majestic Theatre, where the commemorative •service was held.

The Mayor ((Mr R. Coulter) gave the opening address. A Scripture reading by Adjutant Watkins, prayer toy the Rev. C. W. Turner, address by •the Rev. F. Gardner-Brown, benediotion by the Rev. W. J. Oxbrow and the solo "Abide With Me," by Mr J. Robertson, together with the “Garland of Flowers” and “The Last Post" by the Municipal Band, comprised a service thoroughly in keeping with Anzac Day.

AT PATERANGI. There was a-large gathering of residents and settlers from the surrounding districts at the memorial service held In the Presbyterian Church, at Paterangi. A number of beautiful wreaths covered the monument. The service was conducted by the Rev. D. Steward, Presbyterian minister of the district. The Rev. C. W. Clarke (Anglican) gave an inspiring address and pronounced the benediction. AT TE AWAMUTU.

Anzao Day was commemorated In Te Awamutu by a service in the Regent Theatre, at which the Mayor, Mr C. G. Downes, presided. The theatre was crowded.

After hymns had been sung, prayer led toy Rev. A. C. Whitelaw, and a lesson read by Rev. C. W. Clarke, and Rev. Jefferson gave an inspiring address on Sacrifice and Remembrance.

Later the people assembled at the Memorial, where the wreaths were laid and the band rendered “The Garland of Flowers," concluding with the “Last Post.”

SERVICE AT MORRINSVILLE. (Special to Times.) MO RID NS VIL LE, Wedn csday. Fine weather prevailed for the Anzao Day Commemorative Service lie Id at Howie Park yesterday afternoon, when a large attendance assembled. A procession, comprising returned soldiers, girl guides, bey scouts, cadets, territorial's, friendly societies and lire brigade, with Die Municipal Band in nllendance, marched from Die Drill liail lo Die War Memorial, where an impressive service was held. The services were conducted toy Die Mayor (Mr W. T. Osborn), Bov. Canon Gillespie, Rev. G. N. Garlick, 'Mr W. McPherson and Rev. F. Gardner Brown,

CELEBRATION AT RAGLAN. PROCEEDINGS VERY SUCCESSFUL. (Special to Times.) RAGLAN, Wednesday. The Anzac Day celebrations at Raglan were in every way a great success. The first fine day after a long spell of rough westerly weather enabled people to attend from all parts of the district.

There was a good attendance of returned soldiers, Major J. A. D. Ritchie was in command of the parade. Returned soldiers were under their president, Mr B. J. D. Hume. Waikato Mounted Rifles were in charge of Lieutenant Porter. The Mounteds had posted sentinels with reversed arms at the cenotaph.

The memorial service was held at the Town Hall. The Rev. W. J. F. Skey read the lesson and prayers, and the Rev. C. 'C. Hoskins gave an eloquent address. After the service the returned soldiers and the Mounted Rifles marched to the cenotaph to deposit wreaths. Afterwards, all met at the Town Hall to partake of afternoon tea provided by the ladies. Mr Hume, on behalf of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and Lieutenant Porter for the Mounteds, proposed votes 'Of thanks tu the ladies. The motions were carried heartily. Mrs • O’Sullivan, on behalf of the ladies, said they always found it a pleasure to entertain the soldiers. AT NGARUAWHIA. The Anzac Day celebrations were held at Ngaruawahia. In the afternoon a. procession led by the Ngaruawahia Band, and consisting of returned soldiers, girl guides, boy scouts and lodge members marched to the Town Hall, where a Memorial Service was held.

The Mayor, Mr R. Eyre, presided. The address was given by Rev. F. Attwood, Methodist Minister. Others taking part in the service were Revs. Moore (Presbyterian), Sinclair (Anglican) and Keepa (Maori). After the. service the procession reformed and marched to the Cenotaph, where wreaths were deposited. The proceedings concluded with the sounding of the Last Post and the National Anthem, THE KING’S MESSAGE. REPLY BY SIR M. MYERS. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The following message was received yesterday from His Majesty the King:— “On Anzao Day the Queen and I Join my people In New Zealand In commemoration of the glorious dead. GEORGE, R. 1.” The following reply was sent by Sir Michael Myers, the Governor-Gen-eral’s deputy: “ Your Majesty’s people in New Zealand deeply appreciate the gracious /message and the knowledge that the thoughts of Your Majesty and the Queen arc associated with •them in their commemorative services on Anzac Day."

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL. PRIDE AND SYMPATHY. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The following message for communication to the people of New Zealand has been received by wireless from the Governor-General, Lord Bledisioe, and the Lady Bledlsloe, who are engaged on an official visit to the Pacific Islands:— We regret that we cannot be with you on Anzac Day, but we desire from the high seas to express to all who are gathered throughout New Zealand to-day for its commemoration continued pride In the heroio achievements of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the Great War, and our 'Sympathy with the relatives _of those who lost their lives in the cause of freedom and justice.”

MESSAGES FROM UGANDA. THE 29TH DIVISION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The following message from Uganda to his late comrades In arms reached the Minister of Defence, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, from Lieutenant-General Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston, who commanded the 29th Division at Gallipoli: "The old commander of the 29th Division and the Bth Army Corps sends greetings and best wishes. I am at present in the middle of Africa on a strenuous but most interesting semiofficial tour. I have therefore neither the time nor the opportunity to say to our capable and trusty comrades in arms of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (A.N.Z.A.G.) all 1 would wish to say on my own behalt and on behalf of the 29th Division Association, of which I have the honour to be president. All I need to say, and what you will best like to hear, is that your gallant deeds and your trusty comradeship are never forgotten by us. They are ever present in our minds and memories and are outwardly celebrated at the Cenotaph in Whitehall every anniversary—the original landings on Gallipoli Peninsula.”