THE NEW ZEALAND ENSIGN

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 18, 21 July 1900, Page 7

THE NEW ZEALAND ENSIGN

Some 1400 pupils of the Mount Cook Schools and a large gathering of parent! and friends awaited the arrival of His Excellency the Governor yesterday afternoon to perform a notable event in the hibtory of the school — the unfurling of the New Zealand Ensign, .which, together with a flagpole and a second flag displaying the scliool colours (red and black), had been presented by the " Old Boys." Mr. C. J. Hardy was in charge of the boys. Miss Lorhrier of the girls, and Mrs. Francis of the infants, whose merrily waving flags were much in evidence throughout. The two companies of cadets, Mho furnished the guard of honour, were in charge of Lieut. Blake, first assistant. His Excellency, accompanied by Admiral Pearson and a parly irom the" flagship Royal Arthur (whose departure had been postponed to enable her commander to be present at this function), arrived punctually at 3 o'clock, the distinguished guests being received by Mr. John Ferguson (Chairman) and the members of the School Committee, and Messrs. Fleming and Bakewell, Inspectors of Schools. As they took their seats Buglers Gain and Mason played a march and the school children cheered. Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Allan (an old committeeman) briefly addressed the assemblage, the former reading an apology for absence from Mr. J. R. Blair, Chairman of the Education Board. The Governor then unfurled the flag, and as it fluttered in the breeze lusty cheers were given by both scholars and adults, and were renewed after each oi the three rounds of the feu-de-joie fired by the senior cadets. When His Excellency was able to make himself heard, he expressed the great pleasure it gave him to be present, and said they might well be proud of the ilag above them, which they should remember was the flag of England — of that Empire of which we were so proud — v.ith the colony's badge upon it. His Excellency, in a 'stirring and patriotic address, instanced cases of pluck and daring on occasions when the flag had been in danger, and told how much it was honoured and respected, concluding amidst continued cheering. A smart squad from the cadets gave an exhibition of physical drill in capital style, and a full chorus of boys, in honour of the Gcnernor, gave a tuneful rendering of "The Harp that once through Tara's Halls." The ceremony concjuded with the singing of the National Anthem, led by Bugler Cain.