A LOYAL GIFT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15558, 7 March 1911, Page 3

A LOYAL GIFT.

UNION JACK FROM CHRIST CHURCH, ENGLAND.

CITY COUNCIL RECIPROCATES THE GIFT.

A letter was received by the City Council last evening from Dr Levinge, a former president of the Nr. ey League, conveying to the city from its older namesake in Hampshire the gift of a silken Union Jack. Dr Levinge stated that when in England last year he had been commissioned by the member of Parliament for the Christ Church division of Hampshire.—alter which ancient town, lie believed, the new city of tho Southern Sees was named—to carry with him on bis return and offer tor tiie acceptance of the Council a■ large and handsome Union Jack. Mr Page Croft was an ardent Imperialist, anxious by every ineanr. in his power to promote tho unitv of tho Empire, and he felt sure that lie would be very pleased and gratified by the honour done to him. if the city accepted what would bo a link serving to bind Christchurch closer with tlie Mother Land by an interesting and historic connection. The Mayor, in moving that the flag should be’ accepted with thanks, said that anything bringing New Zealand into closer touch vritn the Mother Country should be welcomed, and be suggested that tho city might present to tho English city in return a New Zealand flag. At the time when the Empire was in the throes of a change in constitution it was necessary that all parts cf it should show that they revered the flag that had tended to make the Empire great. The motion was carried, and on Councillor Thacker's proposition it was resolved to send to the City of, Christ Church, in England, a Now Zealand flag. made, if possible, of New Zealand material.