COLOURS RECLAIMED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 66, 18 March 1936, Page 8

COLOURS RECLAIMED.

THE TARANAKI REGIMENT.

INSPIRING CEREMONY,

(Hy Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) NEW PLYMOUTH, this day.

A dignified and inspiring ceremony was witnessed tliis morning when the old colours of the Taranaki Regiment were reclaimed from their resting place in St. Mary's Church, in preparation for the presentation of new colours by the Governor-General, Lord Galway, on Sunday.

The colours were presented to the regiment in 1801, and they had been lodged in St. Mary's Church for many years*. ' ,

An armed escort of three officers and 85 other ranks, under the command of Major P. W. Wright, marched from the camp at Waiwakaiho and passed through the town. Archdeacon G. H. Gavin awaited the detachment on the church steps, accompanied by the commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel F. S. Varnliain, M.C., 10.D., and other officers.

As the troops halted Archdeacon Gavin and the officers turned silently and marched to the altar. A short, simple prayer was spoken and then the archdeacon took up the colours and carried them from the church into the brilliant sunlight outside. Lieutenant E. Morton awaited on bended knee to receive the colours, the company presented arms in salute, and Archdeacon Gavin handed the flag to the standardbearer. There was a brief period of silence and then the clear notes of a bugle sounded as the escort marched off with the colours, escorted by two colour-sergeants.