UNFURLING THE FLAG.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 179, 30 July 1900, Page 6

UNFURLING THE FLAG.

PONSONBY SCHOOL CEREMONY.

I'here was a very large attendance of Ponsonby residents on Saturday afternoon at the Church-sheet school to witness the ceremony of unfurling the school flag. The school gTounds presented a very gay appearance, strings of flags being suspended from the school, to tlk> street, while the shelter shed was prettily decorated with foliage, ferns and flowers. Jlr W. J. Eeea, chairman of the committee, presided over tho proceedings, which were commenced by the children singintf the "Old Hundreth" Psalm, followed toy prayer by the Eev. T. F. Eobertson. Messrs Gribbln and Sinton accompanied the children on the cornet. Mr Eees expressed his pleasure at seeing the large assemblage, and said it showed sympathy with the event, and would serve to'stimulate the loyalty of the children. The song "Soldiers of the Queen was sung very pleasingly by the school «hildren.

Mr J. H. Upton (ex-Mayor of Auckland and an ex-chairman of the Education Board) then delivered an appropriate address. He sketched in_ a brief and interesting manner the history of the Union flag, and explained that while it represented wa.r, it was also representative of modem progress and the arts of peace, for in the hundred years of the Union's existence there had been more progress in all that made life worth living than in all human history prior to that period. After referring to the progress made in arts and sciences during the last century, the speaker eloquently told of how the British people had been impelled to spread over the earth and colonise its waste places. In conclusion he reminded those present that the flag was the work of their fathers, it was theirs to defend it and maintain its honour. (Applause.)

Canon Calder offered up a prayer, and Mrs Dickenson, wife of the headmaster of the school, successfully broke out the flag, unfurling a large and handsome Union at the flagstaff head. The unfurling of the flag was greeted with cheers, and the children saluted the flag and sang "Three Cheers for the Eed, White, nnd Blue."

Mr Upton was accorded a vote of thanks by acclamation for his able and patriotic speech, and the proceedings terminated with the singing of "God Save the Queen." Packets of lollies were distributed to the children, and the teachers entertained their visitors at "afternoon tea" in the schoolhouse.