HORATIO NELSON.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10723, 22 October 1928, Page 9

HORATIO NELSON.

NAVI' LEAGUE MESSACI

FOR SCHOOL MEMBERS IN NFAY ZEALAND.

The following message io school members of the Navy League in New Zealand, lias been forwarded by Commander 11. M. Denny, 11. N., General Secretary. Nav.v League. .London. ' Every British boy and gill knows the signal hoisted by the “Victory” before going into action with the .enemy at Trafalgar. Nelson's, signal. “England expects that every man will do his duty,” lias inspired many generations of our children and grown-ups. Nelson wanted to use tile word “cunfid'es,” but on hi(' Flag Lieutenant saving that the word was not in the signal book ordered “expects” to be used instead of “confides.”

This historic signal gives us an insight into Nelson’s line character. Nelson had a most confident trust, or as lie savs, “confides” in his officers and men. He was quite sure that they would do their duty. Ail bis life Duty to bis country had been lis greatest object, and he never allowed any tiling to stand in the way of what ho considered his duty. His officers were a hand of brothers, and His men loved him for his kindness as well as admiring him for his bra very.

Nelson went to sea in his uncle’s ship, the “Raisonnable,” Avhen he Aims thirteen years old, and later in the “Triumph.” After a foAv months lie Avent out to the West Indies in a merchant ship, and returned to the. navy the next year, having become in his oAvn words, “a practical seaman” (aged fourteen).

Nelson went in many vessels to all parts of the Avorld, including Urn Arctic Seag and the East Indies, he ’always sought for independent job's and claimed every right lie could find to undertake difficult and dangerous adventures. Tavo stories of Nelson as a boy are related by Malian, whose book. “The Life of Nelson,” is (lie standard work on Nelson.. One Avintry day, Nelson and his elder brother were going to school upon their ponies. .Finding the shoav so deep as to'• delay them -seriously, they Avenfc back amt the elder told his father that they could not get on. The father replied: “If that is so, I have? of course, .nothing to say. but I-wish you to try again and I leave it to your honor not to turn back unless necessary.” On the second. attempt- the elder Avas_ for once more returning, but Horatio Nelson stuck it out repeating continually, ‘‘Remember it Ava-s left to our honor’' and the two boys arrived at school all right. The master of the school Avliicly lloratio Nelson attended had a very line pear tree, the fruit of which the boys coveted, but none dared to climb i,t. At last Horatio avlio did not want the pears .himself, climbed the. tree by night and carried off the- pears, but refused to eat any of : them ; saying that be had taken, them only'because others were afraid. ip Nelson’s time, some of the captains 'were very unkind to the men, and punishments were often mostcruel : Nelson and his great friend OpllingAVodd would not allow cruelty in their shins and because of their kindness to their men they were greatly loved. Nelson died of his wounds- during the great battle oc Trafalgar, his last Avords being, “Thank God, 1 have done-my duty.” So passed away a great hero'and a great Englishman; and ever .since then, our people have paid tribute to his memory, and benefited by his. example.

The Navy League decorate the Nelson Column and lay Avreath s on his tomb in St. Paul’s Cathedral every year, and- celebrate Nelson Day all over the Avorld. H.M.D. Note.—Tile Gisborne branch has sent to London a bunch of flowers in ice for this purpose; in this matter they been generally assisted by Mr Alex Thom son, Vcstv Bros., and the Slhiav, Savill. and Albion Line.