ANZAC DAY AT PETONE

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 84, 8 April 1916, Page 5

ANZAC DAY AT PETONE

EXCHANGE OF FLAGS.

The Petone Railway Workshops' staff will hold a function on Anzao Day (25th April) which is- unique in the history of the Dominion—the unfurling of the flag of the Commonwealth of Australia. On the same day and at the came time, the Hornsby Railway staff, New South Wales, will unfurl the New Zealand flag. The idea of exchange of flags originated with Guard T. Stone, of the Hornsby Railway staff. It is the custom of the Hornsby staff to give their men when leaving with the Expeditionary Forces a suitable send-off, also to have the flags of the Allies flying. There was one flag that was missing—that of New Zealand. Mr. Stone set out to get this flag, and placed his views before the Hornsby Railway staff, which agreed to his scheme for securing the flag Mr. Stone communicated with Mr. Hiley, General Manager of New Zealand RaiLways, placed his scheme before him, and asked for his assistance. Mt. Hiley was very impressed with the idea, and selected Petone Workshops as the depot to carry out the wishes of the staff at Hornsby. A mass meeting of .the staff of the ' Petone Workshops unanimously decided to support the scheme, and arrangements were left in the hands of. the Petone Workshops Patriotic Committee. The committee has its arrangements well in hand to make the function a success. A new flag pole 61ft from the ground has been erected on a site by the railway station. The fence around the pole will be of unique design, and the ground will be planted with various shrubs, and should in time be a beauty spot for tho town. The New Zealand flag presented by the men of the workshops has been forwarded to Mr. Stone, who wrote by return mail: "The flag arrived in good ordei. The Horoeby staff is pleased with the very fine flag, and I am delighted to think my scheme is going to be- a great success. By the presence of the New Zealand flag wo are united in the bond of good fellowship." The Commonwealth flag arrived this week and is a fine specimen. The New Zealand 'flag to be used at the unfurling ceremony has been presented by the .Railways Department, and the Union Jack has been presented by the Officers of the Workshops, Railway" Station, and Petone Store 3 Department. The three flags are each 20ft by 10ft. They have been made by Messrs. Tregear and King, of the workshops trimmers' department, and are notable examples of good workmanship.' Invitations have been accepted by the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, 'Hon. W. H. Herries, and other members of the Cabinet. Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., Mr. Hiley (General Manager N.Z.R.), the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke) and councillors, the Mayor cf Petone (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) and councillors, and t!ie Mayor of Lower flutt (Mr. H.. Baldwin) and councillors are also to be invited to attend ths ceremony, which takes place at 3.30 on Anzac Day. The Petone School children, to the number of 1100 under the direction of Mr. Foster, head master of the District High School, will take a prominent part in the function.