TRAFALGAR DAY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 334, 22 October 1908, Page 10

TRAFALGAR DAY.

9 HUNDRED AND THIRD ANNIVERSARY. ' VERY QUIETLY OBSERVED. Save for a bit of bunting here and there, and a slight variation in the day's work at the schools yesterday, the hundred and third anniversary of Nelson's great victory off Cape Trafalgar (October 21, 1805) war just as any other ordinary week-day in Wei' lington. The occasion served as an appro, priate reminder of the attainment of British naval supremacy, its political significance, ■ and the necessity of maintaining that su- ■ premacy. The subject was referred to at the -various schools yesterday, and in two or three instances the observance of the anniversary was made the occasion of a brief ceremonial, iu accordance with .a . decision arrived at by the city Headmasters' Association. In some of the schools the cadets were paraded, the flag was unfurled and ' saluted, a short address delivered by the headmaster, patriotic songs were sung, ,and cheers given. There was no holiday. ' In' all the. schools reference was made during the lessons to the historic event. The unwelcome advent of the rain damped the ardour of those schools which had decided to celebrate the anniversary in the afternoon. ENTERTAINMENT AT TOWN EALL. It appears to bo one of the Navy League's chief functions to keep alive the interest in the anniversary of the battle of- Trafalgar, and with this object in view the sphoolboya "salute tho flag," and enjoy the free enter- -, tamment at night. They rolled up 600 or • '00 strong at the Concert Chamber of the *' Town Hall last evening, when an entertain- - ment of the picture, song," and-story type served to amuse and instruct them according t to temperament. In the absence of'. the president (Hon. T. W. 'ilislop), 'Mr. J. P. Firth, vice-president, presided,, and before proceeding to distribute tjie, prizes (which ? were handed to" the winners Mrs. Firth), , s l?9k e an - interesting manner on Nelson. • and Trafalgar, and what the great victory meant to English history.. After tie prizea : were presented a* pictoral. history of . the • Britisji navy was shown through the medium of a limelight lantern, the Navy, League seo-V jetiiry ■ (Jlr... Cecil w, .Palmer)', discoursing learnedly on armour ,plate, : torpedoes, aid.. breech .bolts,' As.:an indication 'of, -the * impression: ...conveyed '. .by the -"pictures, .' i 1 warship was '.flashed on,, the screen and ..lyas singled out'as. a dredge by. one of the boys. It proved to be the Dreadnought. During the: evening, Mr. E. J. Hill sang.,' "The-Death of Nelson," and the audience was fairly roused when lie sang "Rule Bri- , tannia," the refrain of which was' taken up with, a spirit*that should make the nations ' tremble. Mr. H. E. NichoUs set the blood r ' tingling with a recital of Tennyson's brave verses, " The Revenge." ' , : The secretary of the Navy League, who.arranged the show, received the following "' telegram from Lord Plunket:—" Good wishes for' Trafalgar Day entertainment to-night," and appropriate messages were received from the 1 Prime Minister'and the Hon: Dr. Findlay. . . .' -.-.

CELEBRATIONS IN THE SOUTH., " (Bi TELEGRAPH—PFESS AS'iOCIiTIOS V Invercarglll, October 21. Trafalgar Day was celebrated quietly, and in the rain. In the afternoon there was an excellent parade of public school cadets, and in -the evening tho. Navy League held its'' annual meeting, and gave a ball which many , people attended. • J Christchurch, October 21. Trafalgar Day was celebrated in Christ church by the flying of flags, the decoration of the Queen's Statue in Victoria Square, and by a commemorative-function held under the auspices of the-Navy League in the King Edward' Barracks' to-night, at' which' a detachment from the gave ap exhibition of drill 'and gun work. ' '