DOMINION DAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17283, 26 September 1916, Page 9

DOMINION DAY.

PARTIAL HOLIDAY T^CITY

SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS. Dominion Day was celebrated yesterday by a holiday in most of the Government offices in tho city, and bv a bank holiday, but otherwises there was very litfclo demonstration. Plugs were fiewn from a few of the flagstaffs of 'Lite city, including those of tho Post Office, City Council Chambers and Government' Buildings. The schools of the city, as in former years, adopted a variety o l methods of recognising the anniversary. ' In many of the -city and suburban primary schools a whoift holiday was granted, tho ceremony ot "saluting tho Hag being performed last Friday, In others the pupils were issorablect at !) a.m. v.'Merciay, and a short ceremony was gone throng*'., vvitn addresses from chairmen of committees and teachers, after which the cliildren wore dismissed for the day.

WEST CFIPvISTCHUKCH SCHOOL.

The West Christhurch School, iu accordance with annual custom, did not observe tho anniversary as a, holiday, but the pupils were assembled during the morning to salute tho flag, anu short speeches were delivered. Dr 0. Chilton, chairman of the school committee, explained the circumstances under which tho colony of New Zealand was constituted a Dominion, and spoke of tho duties of citi.zenship. 'lhe Mayor (Mr H. Holland) said that' New Zealanders had reason to be proud of thoir Domiiiion. They had raised two and « half millions sterling for patriotic purposes, and over 100,000 of the young men of the Dominion had volunteered ' for military service. It was for ■ tho younger generation to maintain the Dominion's high reputation as a loyal unit of the Kmpire. Addresses were also given' by Mr Waller (headmaster), Mr P. Menzies (head of the primary department) and Mr Clark (head of the secondary department). Selections were played by the' school's fife and drum band, and the ceremony, of saluting the flag was the performed, the band playing the National Anthem.' Dr. Chilton then announced that as 1he r children had mustered an exceptionally good attendance that morning, the committee had decided to declare a holiday for the rest of the day, an announcement which was received with hearty cheers..

ELMWOOD. A gathering, which included a large number of scholars, the teaching staff and members, of the School Committee, suitably commemorated the occasion'. Proceedings opened with the Russian, National Anthem, followed by an addresi from Mr W. Jones, who suggested that as there are a number of ex-scholars of the Elmwood School at the front, the present scholars should send some Christmas presents to them. Ho had no doubt that the suggestion would be acted on. In introducing the Rev A. C. Lawry, the chairman announced that two prizes would be given in the filth and sixth standards for tho best account of Mr Lawry's address. A characteristic talk was givon by Mr Lawry, which was attentively listened to. The Rev P. B. Haggitt briefly counselled the children to bo thorough in whatever work they took up. .Mr A. D. Hassall in a bri<?f address referred to the latent possibilities of thoso attending tho school,' which had earned a splendid record. Tho Jlag was then saluted, and hearty cheers given for the King and tho flag.

ST ALBANS. ' The children of the St. Albans School and their teachers assembled nt nine o'clock yesterday morning to commemorate Dominion Day. The chairman of tho School Committee (Mr E. H. Andrews) delivered a brief address, in which ho dealt with the use of tho name Dominion and with tho part played by the different units of the Empire in tho war. Tho flag was saluted, tho National Anthem sung, and cheers were given for "Our Boys at the, Front." RICHMOND. At Richmond School the. children were assembled at 9.30 a.m. and saluted the flag. Stirring and appropriate addresses were delivered to tho children by the Rev J. J. North, tho Bov J. Cocker and Mr 11. Langford, chairman of the school committee. \ . TAI TAPIL ' Jn response to a circular from the Canterbury Education Board to the oetiool Committee, the pupils attending tho Tai Tanu School were assemblea it 11 a.m. yesterday. Speeches reminding the children of their responsibilities as future citizens of tho Dominion, and Empire, and their debt to the flag under which they live, were delirereu by tho Revs J. Hill and B. Melson, Captain' R. Macartney, and Messrs Morgan, Mackenzie and Graham. Tho flag was then saluted, and after singing patriotic songs under the lead of Mr Graham, the proceedings were brought; to a close with tho National Anthem, and the school■ was dismissed for the day. KAIAPOr. At 11.30 yesterday the pupils at the Kaiapoi District High School formed up in a- hollow squaro at tho foot of the school flagstaff. . Tho head master, Mr Thomas. Douds, addressed the children, explaining the significance of Dominion Day, making reference to the unity of the Empire by ties of sentiment, not compulsion,, and urging tho children to study and fit themselves for tho noblest citizenship, so helping the Empire. Pointing to the Union Jack, Mr Douds said that it stood for lib- 1 erty-, truth, honour, and justice, words that might bo said to have been written across it in the blood of Britain's fighting men. Ho appealed to all to make themselves worthy citizens of their most magnificent Empire. The school buglers sounded the sahtte, the scholars standing to attention and afterwards singing the National Anthom. • , Tho proceedings closed with cheers for the King, the New Zealand men at the front, and the Empire.

RANGIORA, At tho Rangiora School the children were assembled at 2 p.m. and saluted the Hag, and addresses were given by Mr F. BrLane,, chairman of the committee and the Rev W. H. Howes. BELFAST. Dominion Day was celebrated at Belfast yesterday afternoon by ihe unfurling of the New Zealand Ensign at the school. The flag was presented by Mrs E. Harris, of Radcliffe Road, and the pole was subscribed for in tho district, being finished by tho Canterbury Frozen Moat Company. There was a large assemblage of residents and the school children paraded under the head master, Mr J. G. Polson. Tho Hon D. Bwldo; M.P.. MiGeorge Witty, M.P., and Messrs C H. Opie, \V. A. Banks and H. C. Lane (representing the Canterbury Educa-\ tion Board) were also present. Mr W; P. Spencer, chairman of the school committee, presided, and thanked Mrs Harris for her gift. „ Mrs" Harris unlurlea the flag amidst' applansbi and the National Anthem was sung. ,•■,.'' , ■ ■' The Hon D. Buddo. the Rev T. Cur-

now and Messrs Opie, Banks, Witty, Hopkins and Poison briefly addressed the- assemblage, pointing out the significance of the occasion and impressing upon the children what their flag stood for. *

Oheers' were given for Mrs Harris, the speakers, "the chairman' and the ladies. , .

Mrs Harris briefly responded, after which afternoon-tea was served by tho ladies of tho district. TEMUKA. In recognition of Dominion Day, the children of the Temuka District High School were yesterday lined up for a few minutes in the playground for the purpose of saluting the flag. Patriotic addresses were delivered by >the head master (Mr J. Methven), Dr Rugg and Mr E. Booth, after which tho children sang a verso of .tho National Anthem and the boys saluted the flag.