CORONATION DAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 35, 10 August 1905, Page 2

CORONATION DAY.

LORD PLUNKET ON PxiTEIOTISM. A VISIT TO THE NEWTOWN HIGH j SCHOOL. Yesterday was the anniversary of the day upon .which tha coronation of King 'Edward took place. In honour of the event, Lord Plunket paid an official visit to the- Newtown District High School, and spent an hour inspecting all the classes of the primary as well as the secondary division. On arriving at the school, his Excellency, who was accompanied by the Hon. Captain Bingham, A.D.0., was received by Messrs. W. Field, M.H.8., Wm. Allan, and G. L. Stewart, of the Education Board, and Mr. A. J. Band (Chairman), and the members of the School Committee. The school cadets formed a guard of honour. Ad he passed though each classroom, under the direction of tho Headmaster, Mr. T. H. Gill, M.A., Lord Plunket had a few cheery words to say to the scholars, and he complimented them upon their neat appearance and good behaviour. After inspecting the school, Lord Plunket addressed the senior boys and girls in the largest room in tlje school. On entering the room the scholars sang the National Anthem lustily and harmoniously. Lord Plunket said he had especially chosen Coronation Day for his visit to the school because the occasion was historic, and he thought it was fitting to remind the children of the meaning of historic events. The coronation of King Edward was a great event in the history of the British Empire,' and one in which every boy and girl should be interested. Observant persons would note that there were two flags flying over Government House to-day. The Union Jack was always flying there whenever he (the Governor) was in Wellington. To-day the King's personal flag — the Royal Standard — was also flying, as it did on all great occasions. Ho brought a Royal Standard with him to the school so that the scholars could see it. (The Standard was then unfurled, to the evident delight and interest of the scholars.) If he could take them, all round the world with him on a magio carpet or in a. patent flying machine, they would see the King's Standard flying wherever the British had settled. They would see it in Fiji, Jamaica, Canada, London, Gibraltar, Malta, Egypt (over Lord Cromer's house), Rhodesia, Transvaal, Orango ( Colony, Natal, and elsewhere. His Excellency then had something to say concerning patriotism and loyalty. The word "patriotism" was much misunderstood. It had a- higher and broader meaning than was expressed in waving the Union Jack, playing the band, and singing "God Save the King." They all probably knew the dictionary interpretation of "the word. Ifc meant love towards one's nation and a passion to serve one's country. But the meaning went further than this, and included school, shop, and factory life. It meant a uniting of individuals to make their country the first in the arts of peace as well as being prompt to defend in times of war. He urged his young hearers Ho bo patriotic and loyal in their school life, and unite to make their school known as the best in the city in learning, in athletics, in behaviour, and | in manners. By aiming at these qualities they would be serving the colony just as well as they would bo by dying for it. Again, patriotism should go with them | after they had left school. By putting their very best ability into their work as carpenters or plumbers or in exercising courtesy in shops they would be acting as patriots, for they would be building up tradesmen ' Who would bo noted for their avoidance of scamping in school of workshop, and for courtesy which would attract people from other parts of the world. The girls should avoid evil-talking, scandal/ or petty spite. Snch a course of life as he hod indicated would lead to respect, which should prevail towards parents and teachers, and the exorcise of which would mean self-respect for the individual and the country. New 1 Zealand was a small place 'as yet, with a population no greater than Liverpool 5 but ifc was a beautiful and Well-endowed land, with a most promising future. He had no doubt that some day — It might even be in the near futtire^ — this country would be talked of as a sister nation of the Empire rather than as a colony. Concluding, His Excellency again complimented tho scholars upon their behaviour, and announced that tne authorities had, at his request, granted the wholeof tho scholars a half-holiday in honour of the occasion. Rousing cheers for the King and for the Governor were given on tlie call of Mr. Gill, after which the party adjourned outside, where the cadets went through the ceremony of saluting the flag.