TRAFALGAR DAY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 333, 21 October 1908, Page 6

TRAFALGAR DAY.

HUNDRED AND THIRD ANNIVERSARY. WELLINGTON CELEBRATIONS. The children of the State schools will celebrate the 103 rd anniversary of-the Battle of Trafalgar this morning by saluting the flag, after which tho: headmasters will address a few remarks appropriate to tho occasion. Tho Navy Loaguo is to give an entortainment at the Town Hall this evening. During the evening Mr. E. J. Hill is to sing the "Death of Nelson", arid "Rulo Britannia," and Mr. 11. -E. Nioholls will recite "The Revenge." Some now naval lantern slides are ; to he shown, including a series depicting "Life Aboard tho Amokura" and "Scenes from tho Life of Nelson." Juvenile members of the Loaguo wearing their medals are to be admitted free; and complimentary tickets havo also boon issued to all adult subscribers. Tho gallery is' being reserved for the latter and their friends. A notice appears elsewhere in reference to members who may-not ha\ r e received their invitations. The Navy .League prizes to bo presented at tho entortainment to-night have' been alloted as follows Clyde Quay-School (subject,. "Blake"). — Donald Smith, 1; Gertrudo Andrews, 2; Harold Corkill and Annie Stewart 3. Terrace School ("Drake").—Fred Robertson (High School), 1; P. S. Livermore (Standard VI.), 1; Ellen Ballinger (Standard. V.), 1. Kilbirnie School.("Drake"). —Harry Smith 1; Frank Perrin, 2 ; Harold Worboys, 3; Foster Taplin, Edward Christopherson, Ivy Gaby, Ruth Coley and Ida Drawbridge. Mt. Cook Girls' (''Blake")'.—Florrie Petersen, 1; Gladys Anderson, 2; Edith Wilson, 3; arid Ada Barker.- Jlhanclailah ("Anson"). —Archibald Macarthur. Newtown ("Drake"). —Graham Parkinson. 1; Vincont Ritchie, 2; Alex. Wilson, 3; Norman' Watson, 4. Island Bay ("Drake").—James Pryor (Standards V. and VI.); Percy Andrews (Standards [ 111. and IV.); Harrison Handley. Mitclielltown ("Blake"). —Jessie' Andrew, 1; May Warner, 2: Alice Luke, 3. Brooklyn ("Drake").— Lizzie Makeha-m, 1; Harold Keeblo, 2. Roseneath ("Various Admirals"). —Arthur Bird, l'. Mt. Cook Boys' ("Rodney").— Standard Vl.—Arno Jenkins, 1; Bert Kemp, 2: ' Standard'V.—Albert Andrews, 1: Standard ' Caddick, 1: Standard lll—Allan Quartermain, 1 Wm. Johnson, ,2. Thorndon Normal School.—Standard VII.— Iris Hutchings: Standard.V. —William Hart: Standard- IV.—Keith Hickson. Some of the'essays are-of a very high order' of merit.' Upon an average one prize has been alloted to every ten competitors. Tho returns from ' two other State schools are yet to come in. Similar competitions are taking place at the Wellington College and tho Napier Boys' High School, but prizes have not yet been alloted. The following is a copy of a letter that has

been forwarded-to the leading business men of Wellington by tho local secretary of the Navy League in connection with the recognition of Trafalgar Day:—. " Dear Sir,—l beg to. remind, you that Wednesday next (to-day) is , the _ 103 rd anniversary . of : . Nelson's famous victory, an event , well ■ worthy. of commemoration on account of its. far-reaching influence upon the extension and prosperity of the British Empire, and the freedom of the nations of the world. One _of the aims of the •Navy League is to keep alive the recollection of such "an important event in the world's history, associated as it is, with the unflinching devotion to duty shown by Lord Nelson and those, wild served under him; and it is suggested that, wherever practicable, bunting should be displayed 'on the day in question. This would help to draw public attention to the undeniable'fact that the naval, supremacy won at Trafalgar, (after centuries of strife) is absolutely essential not only' to the security of our over-sea trade, but also to our very existence as a nation. Tho local executive of the league trusts that you may see your way to co-operate in the flying of bunting as suggested."

' Tho Battle of Trafalgar wag fought on October 21, 1805, a ijreat naval victory, being gained by the.British, who, commanded by Lord Nelson; beat the. combined fleets of Franco and Spain, commanded by Admiral Villeneuve and two Spanish admirals. : The enemies' force was eighteen French and fifteen Spanish vessels. The British fleet consisted of twenty-seven vessels. After a protracted battle, Villeneuve and some of the other admirals were captured, and also nineteen of their ships were sunk or destroyed. Nelson' was killed on tho deck of the Victory, which was the_ flagship of tho British fleet. Admiral Collingwood took charge of the fleet after Nelson's death. Nelson's last signal was, "England expects every man will do his duty."