N.G. Remembers.

September 12 Commemorated.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, Sept. 25.

TUESDAY, September 12, was Com memoration Day for the Territory of New Guinea. It is the day set aside to commemorate the landing—19 years ago—of the Australian troops at Kaba kaul, near Rabaul, from whence they

journeyed through the bush and rough track towards Bitapaka, where their ob jective was the high-powered German wireless plant. The men killed on this occasion were the first Australians to lose their lives in the Great War.

September 12 is a public holiday in the Territory and on this anniversary a pilgrimage was organised by the Re turned Sailors and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia in Rabaul. A num ber of returned soldiers foregathered with their comrades, armed themselves with wreaths and marched silently through the beautifully-laid out Botanic Gardens to God’s Acre —a quiet spot where lie the remains of those who fell of Australia’s first expeditionary force to land on enemy shores in the Great War.

The pilgrimage was one of remem brance, and here in this quietness the pilgrims laid their wreaths of frangi panni, bougainvillea, coralita and jas mine upon the graves of the fallen. Here the pilgrims stood awhile in silence after laying on the wreaths and then their voices were raised in the singing of Kip ling’s grand old “Recessional”: “Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget—lest we forget!”

Rev. T. J. Gibson, of the Church of England, gave a very stirring address, which was most appropriate for the oc casion.

The Administrator was present at the ceremony, as well as the Chief Judge and various other heads of government de partments. Mr. R. L. Clark, M.L.C., pre sident of the R.S. & S.I.L.A., was in charge of the proceedings and was as sisted by Secretary S. E. Costelloe and Mr. C. Parker; while various public bodies were represented.

It is the intention, we believe, to make this anniversary, in future years, an out standing and memorable occasion.