EMPIRE DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 11895, 25 May 1903, Page 4

EMPIRE DAY.

Though the public offices were closed, in accordance with instructions from Wellington, the day was not generally observed as a public holiday, and business was transacted as nsual. In most of the schools the ceremony of salnting the Flag was gone through.. —George street School.— There was a representative gathering of scholars and others in the playground of this school this morning, where the ceremony of trooping the colors was gone through with one solmenity by about two score boys in naval uniform under Captain M Lean. Mr J. Hutchison, chairman of the School Committee, explained the reason of the gathering, and of the anniversary being feed for this date. He also spoke of the significance of the flag. The Mayor (Mr T. Scott) then addressed the children in simple terms, reminding them of the greatness of the reign of Queen Victoria, the first Empress of India. He B P°l fe . of _ how the colonies, for the first time in history, had gone to the assistance of the Mother Land. He hoped the children before him would show that they were sons and daughters of the Empire on which the sun never sets. Let them take their late beloved Queen as an example, and always remember the 24th of May and show by their actions that they believed in the Empire - to which they belonged, and remember the flag that floated above them as the emblem of the unity of the British nation and the British Empire.—(Applause.) Mr H. D. Bedford, M.H.R., also spoke. He said he was sure that they were all proud to belong to the Empire over which Qneen Victoria had so gloriously reigned. Therefore it; was pleasant to see so many ™ vs and girls present there to do honor to .^ a - There Iml been no reign so rlonous as that of Victoria. He then told the children something of the progress that ijj '? ma de under her rule, and concluded by expressing the pleasure It gave him to be there to take part in honoring her memory. At the Iball of Mr T. A. Maitland, three cheers were given for the Union Jack, and three more for the Mayor and Mr Bedford. —North-east Valley School.— The cadets, boys, and girls of the Northeast Valley School were drawn up in a square in the school yard this morning, when the ceremony of saluting the Flag and trooping the colors waa witnessed before a large, number of parents and friends. Short and appropriate speeches were delivered by Mr Pryor (chairman of the committee), Mr G. Calder, and the Rev. D. Borrie. The ceremony which followed was a very interesting one, and was carried out m a highly creditable maimer by the cadets, under Major Murray, who has his boys exceedingly well trained. The following particulars of what took place will be of interest: —> Major Murray, carrying the Union Jack, marched towards the escort, who took up a position inside the square. The cadets and all the scholars at once stood to attention. The bugler sounded the Royal salute, and all hands saluted. The Major, holding up the flag, addressed the boys ns follows: “This flag, the Union Jack, includes the upright cross of St. George, the white diagonal cross on blue ground of St. Andrew, and the red diagonal cross of St. Patrick. Will you promise to stand by it in life or death, to honor it as a symbol of Imperial unity, to do nothing unworthy of the flag wherever you may be. to make the name of Englishmen honored throughout the world?” The reply “Wt v’iU ’’rang out, whereupon the captain took the flag, and heading the escort bore it round the ranks, the scholars and cadets it the same time singing ‘ The British flag.’ The Major next advanced, bearing the Royal Standard, to which he referred in the following terms: “While the Union Jack is the flag of the nation, the Royal Standard is the flag of His Majesty the King. It is hoisted wherever he resides, and is displayed on state occasions at Home and abroad. The yellow lion on the red ground denotes England, the red lion on the yellow ground denotes Scotland, and the harp on the blue ground denotes Ireland.” _ Another salute followed, and then the Major said: “I call for a verse of ‘God save the King’ in honor of His Majesty King Edward VII., by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the British Dominion Beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, and Emperor of India.” A verse of 1 God save the King ’ and three cheers for His Majesty brought an impressive ceremony to a close. —High street School.— The ceremony of “ trooping uJ, IT!?! in connection with the above school took place at ten o’clock this morning. The children were present in good force, some 550 being assembled in the Gymnasium Hall. Several of the school committeemen were present, an apology being received for the unavoidable absence of the chairmf> (Mr Walker). Mr .C. J. Wattson (the secretary of the Committee), in opening the proceedings, said that to-day was to be linked with the memory of Queen Victoria, and known in the future as “Empire Day.” It had been the case in the past that the names of good men and women should be handed down to posterity for the good work they had done for the Empire. This should be the case with the name of Queen Victoria, who, as all of them knew, was in many ways connected with the Empire, to which every boy and girl who hod any patriotism at all should be proud to belong. It was very nice for Them to know that the late Queen’s services would, bo recognised in the future, and that they could devote their energies in prolonging her memory. They were there for the purpose of per petuating her memory that day, and to recognise the great work that had gone on during her reign. These functions Would go to bund up the history of the nation. There were boys and girls in the lower standards who knew nothing about our late Queen, but these function* would help them to remember her.—(Applause.) Dr Gordon Macdonald said that their first duty was to understand the meaning of the word “ Empire ” and where it came from. Most of them in the upper standards knew that it was derived from Latin, as also were a great many of our other English words. There had been empires in the world, which had lasted for many thousands of years, notably those of the Roman Empire and that of Spain. The Roman Empire was the one to which we, as British subjects, were most indebted. If scholars thought of the great area which it covered, and then imagined that it was ruled over by one Emperor, they would soon ask Where was that Empire now? There was none of it in existence to-day, and why? Becanse the Roman rulers and Emperors had become rich and bad. The Romans at one time conquered the greater part of Britain, and it was to them we were indebted for our civilisation; in fact, the Roman era in Britain was the beginning of the British Empire. For hundreds of years our Empire made no expansion beyond the British Isles, and it was only within the last three centuries that we had made such rapid advancement. During the reign of Queen Victoria the Empire had extended to a greater extent than was the case in the reign of any other English monarch. And why? The answer was that Victoria was a good and able ruler, and was assisted by good and able men. Queen Victoria before she died left a message to her family, to her statesmen, to her citizens. She had called them to her bedside, and said: “ I have done by best during my lifetime for the Empire, and I hope that you will do the best for it In your day, and hand it down to posterity in that form," This was the message she left to her children before she died.—(Applause.) Her people had now decided to mark the recurrence of her birthday as Empire Day Continuing, the speaker urged that all must be loyal to the Empire, fight for it, and even die for it, as was the case m South Africa. The flag they saw before them, and the one on the flagpole on the top of the school, were merely emblems?— cotton and rags—but they meant a lot. Wherever they saw that flag flying there was freedom. In conclusion. Dr Macdonald asked them to remember that though their flag was only a piece of cotton, they should let no one abuse it and speak ill of it—(Applause.) [The flag was here pinned across the wall.] Mr D. Wishart mentioned that it was gaiii that if Great. Britain aod Amprina

tinned to make the progress they ■were doing, they would soon govern the whole of the world. He gave instances where countries such as this had been colonis -d bj enterprising British citizens, and also of wljere we had won them by victory. They could not all be admirals and generals and makers of the Empire, but they could be good citizens. If they did that then no one had any reason to fear for the Empire. —(Applause.) After the singing of ‘God save the Kirig’ and a bar of ' The red. white, and blue,’ and giving three hearty cheers for the Flag, the children were dismissed for the day. —Albany street School.— There was a large gathering at the above this_ morning. Mr J. H. Wilkinson, who presided, gave a short address, in the course of which ho referred to tho beneficial changes that had taken place during the reign of the late Queen. Referring to his own visit to London, he told his audience of the enthusiasm evinced by the vast crowds eager to do Queen Victoria honor. Rev. Mr Bay, who expressed his pleasure at being present, spoke of the vast extent of the Empire, of tho causes that led to its vastness, the valor of our soldiers, the genius of our statesmen, and the true manly spirit of honesty and kindness of its people. Tho speaker also told of the careers of Lincoln and Clifford, who were held up to them aa ideals which they would do well to copy. Mr Dempster sang * Soldiers of the King,’ after which Mr J. W. Butler said that in former years the day they were celebrating had always been” one of rejoicing. It was the birthday of England's greatest Queen—a Queen under whose noble rule the Empire had extended its bounds in all parts of the world. Our pride in our nationality was well founded on this; that we felt we were the freest nation on the earth, the nation in which justice waa most cherished, tho nation which led the van in the progress of civilisation. Mr Dempster urged the boys and girls that while they could not hope yet to emulate the actions of the heroes of England, such as Nelson, Wellington, and others, yet in their hoyhood years they could train themselves for such work by placing duty as their watchword-duty to their parents and duty to their teachers, and to those placed in authority over them. The flag was then hoisted by two girls of the school, tho cadets under Captain MacLaren and the school children coming to the salute. The singing of the National Anthem concluded the ceremony. —Kaikorai School— The children of the above school gathered in the playground this morning in front of the flagpole. Many of the boys were in their cadet uniform under the command of Captain Fitzgerald. Brief and appropriate addresses were delivered by Mr Allnntt, the head-master, and Mr Hunter. Mr Duff then unfurled the Flag, and the boys sainted it, after which ail present joined In singing ‘God save the King.’ —Port Chalmers.— Empire Day at Port Chalmers was not celebrated as a holiday, but bunting was _ displayed from the Town Hall, freezing works, shipping companies’ offices, and from several private buildings. Tho Union Company and Messrs Morgan and Cable granted their employees a holiday, but work went on at the wharves, and the whole of the business places were kept open. It had been arranged that the chairman of the School Committee (Mr J. M'Lachlan) should lay the foundation stone of the Technical School, but it was explained that the contractor (Mr Manning) had the foundation so far advanced that unless the School Committee would be willing to pay a certain sum, which they were not in a position to do, that part of the programme would have to be abandoned. It was also contemplated that the band rotunda should be opened, but as it was not a public holiday His Worship the Mayor, with tho advice of his councillors, postponed that part of the programme. - At 10.30 a.m. the children attending the District High School, with their teachers, assembled in the school quadrangle, and were addressed by Mr Rennie, the rector, who explained to them the meaning of Empire Day. The flag was hoisted, and after tho children had saluted it they sang the National Anthem. Mr M'Lachlan, chairman of the School Committee, then addressed the children, pointing out that his only duty was to see them salute the Flag, and that they were to have a holiday; but prior to their leaving, through the generosity of His Worship the Mayor and other gentlemen who had tho welfare of the school, refreshments would be given to all. He called for three cheers, which were heartily given. Mr De Mans then addressed the children, saying ho trusted that they 'would always remember Empire Day. He called upon the children to give three hearty cheers for the Premier for proclaiming Empire Day a public holiday. This having been done the children returned to the school, and after partaking of refreshments were dismissed for the remainder of the day. The Normal School did not meet, the children havmg been called on to salute the Flag before being dismissed on Friday afternoon. On Friday evening last, at the invitation of Mr Jeffery, head-master of the Anderson Bay School, a number of his senior pupils, ex-pnpils, parents, and friends, and some from outside the district, assembled In the Sunday School Hall to spend a couple cf hours with “ the men that made the Empire.” Mr Jeffery, with the aid of a good lantern which he always handles to advantage, led his audience back to the times of Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. He showed all the Empire-builders from Wellington’s time up to the present, including naval heroes, warriors, and statesmen, and the places where deeds that won the Empire were done. Mr Jeffery gave a running lecture on all the heroes and places he showed on the canvas. The proceedings were enlivened by the rendering of historic and patriotic songs and recitations by Messrs Calder, Willson, and Henderson, Miss Minnie Somerville playing the accompaniments. Mr T, Begg gave a* short address to the young people, reminding them that they had opportunities to become as great in history as the men that Mr Jeffery had shown them that evening. Tho boys took the hint from some of Mr Begg’s remarks, and struck up ‘For he's a jolly good.fellow’ in recognition of Mr JeJferr’s efforts in affording them such a treat. I'he singing of the National Anthem brought a very instructive evening to a close. [By Telegraph.] Greymonth.—There was a great demonstration at tho school this morning, when the saluting of the Flag took place, the mayor, the member for tBo district, and other citizens delivering patriotic addresses. Wellington.—Empire Day here is being observed as a holiday by most of the public offices, but tradespeople generally keep open. The school children throughout the district this morning saluted tho Flag at their respective schoola 6 Waipawa.—The day was observed os a general holiday. The ceremony of tainting the Flag took place in the district eoLool where patriotic speeches were delivered. ' Blenheim.—Queen’s weather prevails for Empire Day. The State school children musterd largely at ten o'clock to salute the Flag. Tho cadets fired three, vollevs. Short addresses wore given, and cheers for the King and the Empire. The day was not observed as a general holiday by business people. Hawera.—ln honor of Empire Day the District High School pupils tainted the Flag. Patriotic speches were delivered by the mayor and others. A public meeting derided to do all in their power to aid the Rolleston memorial monument. Oamaru.—Empire Day was not generally observed os a holiday. The schools saluted the Flag, and appropriate speeches were made. Auckland.—The day was observed by the public offices, banks, mid schools, but retail establishments generally traded as usual. The public schools assembled, saluted the Flag, and then dispersed. This afternoon the Governor laid the foundation stone ol the Veterans’ Home at the pah, Onehungo. The movement was started by the Governor on the proclamation of peace in 1902. Between £7,000 and £B,OOO stands to the credit of the fund. The building will be a wooden structure, covering about one-third of an acre. The contract price is £4,429. Wanganui.— A .half-haliday is brings ob%

served to-day. This morning the ceronnre of saluting the Flag was carried out fit the public schools, where a patriotic address was delivered. The Supreme Court was formally opened by the Chief Justice, and j adjourned till to-morroW. Stratford.—Empire Day was celebrated here by a parade of the local volunteer corps and cadets, headed by the Municipal Band, and saluting the Floe at the school To-night a military ball will be held. All shops and business places are closed. Westport.—The day was observed, as a public holiday. The school children saluted the Flag, and speeches were made by several gentlemen. The children the National Anthem, and were dismissed. Christchurch.—Empire Day is being observed as a general holiday, the whole of the tradespeople closing their places of business. The chief function (his afternoon is the nn-yoilin-g of a magnificent statue of the Queen m Market square by the mayoress. This morning the ceremony of saluting the Flag was performed in most of the public schools.