HOISTING THE FLAG.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIII, Issue 12241, 29 June 1900, Page 3

HOISTING THE FLAG.

| CEREMONIES AT THE SCHOOLS. ! THE WEST CHR.ISTCHURCH SCHOOL. The ceremony of hoisting tho British ensign was performed at the West Christchurch School yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large number of visitors and all the children attending tho school. Amongst those present were several ex-pupils-of the. old High School, for which the school was originally established in 1863. Mr C. D. Morris (chairman of the School Committee) presided, and upon the platform were members of the Beard of Education and the School Committee, as well as the Revs A.'W. Averill and W'' S. Bean, and Captain Andrew, an ex-master of the school. Apologies for absence were received from MessrsET. G. Ell, M.H.R., andß. P. Manhire (Mayor of Sydenham), ex-pupils, as well as from Messrs W. W. Collins, C. Lewis and G. W. Russell, members of tho House of Representatives. Mr C. D. Morris, in opening the proceedings, said that they should feel proud that some of the ex-pupils of the school held the positions of members of Parliament and Mayors of boroughs. He felt proud of the fact that the whole of the funds for the flag and the pole had boen found by the children. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr W. Reece) said that it gave him great pleasure to be there that day to see the loyalty displayed by the scholars, in providing such a handsome flagstaff, on which they were to hoist the national flag of the Empire. The occasion was specially interesting to Mm, as more than thirty-years ago he had attended the first High School in Canterbury, which then Was held in' an unpretentious building standing on the ground where the present fine school now stood, and he well remembered assisting to drag the old school from St Andrew's Church to the spot it still occupied at the rear of the present school. He had pleasant recollections of many tough games of football and cricket played on the ground on wMch they were then standing. Since that time, education had advanced by leaps and bounds, and he hoped that the scholars would take care to reap all the benefit obtainable from tho present system, so as ito fit them- for their fight with the world. In the United States it was the fond'hope of every mother that her son might one day occupy the Presidential chair, and in, New Zealand there was no reason why any young man fihould not rise to the position of Premier. In hoisting the British ensign, they were doing honour to the Queen, and it showed that they were loyal to the recognised authorities, and that they desired to become good citizens of the Empire. Those who attended the schools of the present day had an opportunity to obtain a good education, and all of them attending that school could do something which would be for the credit of West Christchurch. He felt that it was quite an historic moment in his life, and if he had had time he could tell many stories of happy days spent in those grounds. " The Red, White and Blue" was then sung. _,

Mr T. S. Weston (chairman of the Board of Education) said that he had been exceedingly pleased to hear the remarks of the Mayor, which must have aroused feelings of enthusiasm and respect for 'the school. The Mayor had admitted that he had received the education at that school which had fitted him to take the high position, and carry out the onerous duties of Mayor of such an important city as Cbristchurch. The speaker pointed out that the same opportunities were open to all the scholars who chose 'to profit by the education now provided. He congratulated the scholars on the erection of such a fine flagpole on which the British flag would wave, and the old scholaiis who passed the school and saw tie flag waving there, would always be proud of it. He congratulated them on their patriotism, which, he said, did credit to both the children and the parents who had inspired the gift. It was a flag which commanded the respect and admiration of the world at large, and,they took itUionour. 'At the same tame they must not be guilty of arrogance, but must remember that itheir Empire was only a portion of the" world, and that other nations had equal rights. He hoped that while our, rulers would always keep Great Britain to the front, other nations would reap ; equal prosperity. The colonies were a portion of tha'Empire, and it was in the colonies that England's supremacy would be maintained, and both in politics and commerce they would assist the Mother Country. While England derived great benefits from the colonies, the colonies were equally indebted-to the Old Country. It was not by singing patriotic songs or wearing emblems of loyalty that they could assist the Empire, but by each doing his best to promote the welfare of the Empire at large. They would agree that their Queen was an example to the world. Never had there been a Sovereign who had won the affection and esteem of the world as had their good Queen Victoria, who had all the virtues and traits of a good, woman. Her influence, although unseen, had had a great influence on the world at large, and that had enabled England to gain the confidence and esteem of other nations. The speaker then referred- to the fact that New Zealand was well represented in the British troops now in Africa. The New Zealand troops, he said, had done their duty as soldiers, and he hoped that many of them would return to New Zealand with information which would be useful to the officers of their volunteer corps. He concluded with an appeal to the children to always honour the brave and despise weakness. Boys should jodnthe Volunteers and be prepared to 'take their part in upholding the honour of the Empire, which he trusted would grow and advance, and would confine to with its honour unsullied.

: The flag was then hoisted by four little girls, Misses Madge Farrow, Gladys Jones, isitty Isbister and Kitty Morris, and, after hearty cheers had been given, the National Anthem was sung by the assemblage and cheers were given for the Queen. The Rev A. W. Averill said that he felt proud to be there and 1 to see the sign and symbol of the union of hearts throughout the Empire which, had been provided oy the children. While he was at Home, when the present war broke out, people*were doubtful as to how the colonies would act, but it was not long before ithe colonies showed how loyal they were at heart, by sending both contingents and money* He impressed upon the scholars the fact that the colonies were not conferring any great favour on the Mother Country, but were only showing, their gratitude and doing their duty. He asked them to, whenever they looked at that flag, remember that it was the emblem of the Empire upon which- the sun never set.-

The children then sang "The Union Jack."

Captain Andrew said that it was some years since he had been at :the school, where he had .spent many happy years. He felt proud to be present at such a ceremony, and ho congratulated the scholars and their friends upon possessing such a fine .flac and staff. He had been, surprised that' the example of America in having the national flag at each school had not been adopted previously in Great Britain and the colonies, and he also suggested that the American custom of saluting the flag should be introduced into the schools. He hoped the flag would not be put away in a cupboard, but would -be kept constantly before the children. After "Soldiers of the Queen" bad been snng, the llev W. Thomas gave a short address' on the necessity for devotion to dntv. The proceedings were closed with the sinking of the Nationa.l Anthem, cheers being given for the Mayor, the visitors, and Mr T. S. Foster, head-master, who had conducted the singing. Afterwards the children were supplied with swee'ts provided by Mr Morris. THE SYDENHAM SCHOOL. The same ceremony was performed at the Sydenham School, at which there was a very large attendance of the public. The children, most of whom curried flags, were marshalled by their teachers in front of the main building, on the gable of which stood the flagstaff, while the handsome banners won. by the school teams in the primary 1 schools' jseiiior;:fla^_com^tion,.ot;iii6.^Datt-.

terbury Rugby Union, and in the pubßc schools' cricket competitions for 1898-99, were hung on the wall immediately below the flagstaff - Abutting on the lower portion of tho same wall a platform had been constructed for the speakers, and for those who took an official part in tlhe proceedings. Among those on the platform were Mr Simpson (chairman of the School Committee), who presided, the Mayor of Sydenham, and Councillors R. M. Taylor, W. H. Meikleham and S. Williams, the Revs H. Bull, E. A.. Scott and R. Scott Allan, Captain Andrew, and Mr J. L. Scott. The Rev H. Bull having offered up. a prayer, the Chairman read apologies for absence from the Hon W. C. Walker, Minister of Education, and Mr T. S. Weston, chairman of the Education Board. The Chairman then said that they had met on a very important occasion. The flag which they were about to hoist; was;an emblem- of the British nation, and they, knew that wherever that flag floated, freedom reigned. After referring to the presence-of Captain Andrew, who, he said, had fought for the flag in India, and to <Jhe noble manner in which Young New Zealanders— --aye, evea boys from that very school—bad upheld the honour'of the flag, the Chainnan went on to say that he would like to see a federation of the whole Empire, so that they might present to tho world a solid and peaceful front. God, who always protected the right, would, they might be sure, protect such a federation. (Applause.) Mr Baldwin, head-master of the school, said he wished that the flag which was'about to be hoisted would prosper always. Passing on to the subject of loyalty, he said thai want of obedience and respect was ono of the greatest faults in colonial children, and he impressed upon the young people present that while it was the duty of parents to teach love and obedience, it was for the children to remember the commandment, " Honour thy father and' thy mother." The flag was then hoisted by Mrs Charles Clark, amid cheers from the children, and when it was tight to the peak the children sang,tho National Anthem. Tho Mayor of Sydenham (Mr B. P. Manhire) said that, asjm old scholar of the school, he was glad, to be with them on that occasion. He bad been taught in that school by Mr Cumberworth to honour his father and Ms mother, and he felt, sure that Mr Baldwin taught the same principle, asit • was the duty of all teachers to inculcate obedience to parents. He hoped the children would long prosper under their flag. Alluding to the presence <jfS Captain Andrew, he said that it was an honour to Sydenham to have reared an 'officer of the Imperial Army. (Applause). Captain Andrew. Said that it was.many years since ho had spent Ms time in the Sydenham School. Thosei, however; were among his happiest days, and he was always proud of having been educated at that school. They should all recognise the importance of the occasion which had brought them there that day. From time immemorial national flags had. played an l important part in the history of nations. If they opened the Book of Numbers and read' tho story of the wanderings of the children of Israel they wculd find that each Israelite was enjoined to plant, his own standard and that of his father's house by Ms tent at night. Ln America the children were taught to worsMp the national flag, and in some schools the children had to salute it once a month, in other schools the flag was borne tiirough the schcol while the children sang " The Star Spangled Banner." Captain Andrew described how the Indian soldiers were taught to salute the flag, and said that he would like to see patriotism inculcated into the clnldren here in the same maimer as it was inculcated into cMldrem in America. H that were done the young people would always remember their Sovereign, and would always be ready to-do honour to the flag of tiie greatest Empire the world had ever seen. (Loud applause). . . ■•■'.■ • Three cheers were given for Captain Andrew, and the children, sang " The Red, White and Blue.'"

Mr J. L. Scott said that he was pleased to bo 'there as the representative of the Board of Education, ~Captain -Aodrew,ha&;.toldthem what was done in American schools in the way of saluting the flag, aind he hoped the children of the Sydenham School would respect their, flag as it was respected in America, and was honoured throughout the world. ; The flag' reminded them that they, were members ■of the greatest Empire in the world, an Empire ■ on whose dominions the sun never set, and whose greatness they hoped would: never fade. .New Zealand had lately thrown, off her swaddling >elothes, and was realising her responsibilities as a member of the Empire, and those whom he was addressing would soon, as men and women, have to share those responsibilities. Mr Scott then displayed Boer flag, which had been captured at Kenhardt by the members of the Second New Zealand Contingent. That flag, he said, was going to be hoisted in its proper place, half-mast Hugh, ajid he wished them to salute-it as they would salute the flag of an enemy. The-Rev E. A. Scott said that when the flag went up they must remember that it was the flag of a brave enemy, who had given them a good' d<aal of trouble. The Boer was, however, deficient in the qualities of mercy and justice. It,was the English character which caused their .flag to be respected, and they must do their best to keep that flag flying. Whenever they did anything mean, or sneaking, or contemptible, or told a lie, they were lowering that flag. It was the English character tihat had made that flag what it was, and they must assist in keeping up the ideal, of that flag throughout the world. ■ ' The children sang "Soldiers of the Queen." The Rev H. Bull said that the ceremony that day would l be a' pleasant memory in the minds, of the scholars, who would thus be led to honour the flag. Slavery could not live where.that.flag had supreme authority, and for that reason they wished it would float all over the Transvaal and the* Orange Free State, for the protection of the black races. The flag would also remind them that they had sprung. from . a great race,, which had arisen from the islands of the Northern Sea. . The young men of the colony had gone with those of all other countries over which flew the British flag. They had marched to one tune and under one flag, and he hoped that when their flag was hoisted again, the British Ensign would be: flying over the Transvaal, and the Orange Free State. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr J. L. Scott, a very hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mrs Charles Clark for her kindness in hoisting the flag, and three dheexs for Mrs Clark • were given, by the children. . .:

On the motion 'of Mr Badfield, seconded by Mr Miller, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the ladies, the teachers and. the pupils who had subscribed the money to purchase the flag. A vote of thanks was also passed to the Press. The Rev E. A. Scott pronounced 1 the benediction, and the ceremony ended.