NEW ZEALAND ENSIGN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 129, 3 June 1931, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND ENSIGN.

FLOWN IN ANTARCTIC.

PRESENTATION AT DEVONPORT.

INTERESTING CEREMONY,

A New Zealand ensign which had been carried on Sir Douglas Mawson's ship Discovery on his recent expedition to the Antarctic was presented to the Devonport s-chool yesterday by the Mayor of Devonport, Mr. H. F. W. Meikle. The gift was made on behalf of an anonymous donor, a resident of Devonport. Mr. R. A. Falla. who had charge of the flag on the expedition, was present at the ceremony, which took place in the school grounds, and the chairman of the local school committee, Mr. A. W. Parker, presided.

It was explained by Mr. Meikle that the flag had been presented to the borough some years ago, the anonymous donor expressing the wish that "it be taken, if possible, on an Antarctic expedition and be given later to the Devonport school. Sir Douglas. Mawson had accepted the council's invitation to take the flag with him on his expedition., and it had been taken to the Ross Sea. The ensign had been planted side by sidt* with the Union Jack, the Australian ensign and the Royal Australian Air Force ensign on hitherto unknown lands. Mr. Meikle then handed over the flag to the ctire of the headmaster, Mr. A. G. Menzies, He also presented the school with a framed letter signed by Sir Douglas Mawson, who stated that the ensign had been flown on Mcßoberteon Land and Adelie Land.

An assurance that the ensign would be given a place of honour in the school war; given by Mr. Menzies. It would aleo be a reminder of the splendid work and high ideals of three famous Antrfrctie explorers, the late Captain Scott, the late Sir Ernest Shackleton and Sir Douglas Mawson, he said.

Mr. Falla, who had been a junior assistant at the Devonport echool about eight years ago, told the story of the expedition. Since the death of Captain Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton, Sir Douglas Mawson, he said, wag regarded as the mast able Antarctic explorer. The Discovery, on which the ensign had been carried, was used for Captain Scott's expedition, but it was not out of date, and was specially designed for ice-bound waters. The ensign was firet flown in the Rose Sea. That sea had been so completely explored by scientists, as to leave very little to learn there. The Mawson expedition sailed to the westward, where the new lend was teeming with bird life. It was there that a splendid collection of fish and bird specimens had been secured. There were great whales and penguin?, besides smaller game. The story was much appreciated by the children.

It was agreed, at the request of Mr. Meikle, that the children should be given a half-holiday at a later date to commemorate the occasion.