DEDICATION OF COLOURS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28269, 6 May 1957, Page 2

DEDICATION OF COLOURS

Red Cross Service In Cathedral

The Christchurch Cathedral was crowded yesterday afternoon for a service of dedication and presentation of the Red Cross Colours to the North, Canterbury centre of the Red Cross Society. More than 400 children, with friends and parents, senior members of the society and representatives of local oodies watched the Bishop of Christchurch (the Right Rev. A. K. Warren) dedicate the Red Cross flag and the New Zealand flag.

They had formed into a procession and marched slowly into the Cathedral behind the colour party. Senior of the centre were in uniform and the schoolchildren wore armbands marked with a red cross, or a white head scarf, also marked with a red cross.

“I present these Colours to the Voluntary Aid Detachment of the North Canterbury centre of the New Zealand Red Cross Society,’’ the Bishop said, addressing the colour party. “May those who bear them, those who follow them and those who behold them, ever be mindful of the high service of which they are the sign.’’ The Lesson was read by the Rev. M. W. Wilson, and prayers were said by the Rev. A. K. Petch and the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan).

The society was based on principles of Christianity, Bishop Warren reminded the congregation, and he traced briefly the events which led to the formation of the International Red Cross at Geneva.

Representatives from many parts of New Zealand were present to see the first occasion on which the Canterbury centre has held a standard.