PRESENTATION OF COLOURS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14133, 7 August 1909, Page 6

PRESENTATION OF COLOURS.

KING'S COLLEGE CADETS.

A STIRRING SCENE.

The stirring scene presented by the King's College cadets at the Polo Grounds, Remuera, yesterday afternoon, when the ceremony of presenting the colours was completed, must have brought forcibly to the minds of many present the usefulness of the cadet movement. ' The spectacle presented by the cadets, 160 strong, when marching in review order, is one to be long remembered. Not a unit was misplaced, the whole line marching in order and with ease, the perfect time in which the bare knees lifted and arms swung made an inspiring picture. The other evolutions were equally well carried out.

The actual presentation of colours took place at St. Mary's Cathedral last Sunday, when His Excellency the Governor performed the ceremony. The colours had reposed in the cathedral until yesterday afternoon, when a colour party (No. 1 Company), under Captain Stuckey, carried them from there to the Polo Ground. The party arrived punctually at four o'clock, Lieutenants Wilkes and Walker, acting as standard-bearers. The bearers halted at the saluting point, opposite which the battalion was drawn up in line. From there they advanced to the line to the strains of "God Save the King," played by the Garrison Band, the cadets, meanwhile, presenting arms.

Lieutenant-Colonel Wolfe, officer commanding Auckland district, accompanied by Colonel H. J. Lee, commandant of South Australian forces, Major C. T. Major, D.5.0., and Captain Plugge, as staff officer, then inspected the battalion. At the conclusion of the inspection, Colonel Wolfe retired to the saluting point, and the march past was begun. The companies wheeled into position, and then came down past the base in company column, the steadiness and order of the march j drawing tokens of admiration from the crowd, while the terse, expert opinion of Colonel Lee, " Exceedingly good, Colonel Wolfe," was high praise, indeed. The companies came back in quar-ter-column, and then finally advanced in review order, presenting'a tine spectacle. A hollow square was formed, and Lieu-tenant-Colonel Wolfe addressed the battalion. He said he had witnessed a fine parade that day, the culmination of an event probably unique in English military history—the presentation of colours to a cadet corps. He had heard the appreciative remarks of their relatives, which were well deserved. By preparing themselves to defend their country they were rendering a great service, for the day was not far distant when there may be a clashing of arms; and readiness, both at Home and at the outposts, would be of immense value to the British Empire. Colonel Wolfe went on to say he was proud of their showing that day, and they should be proud of their colours, which would not go into action, but if ever any present did go into action he hoped the battalion would remember the sacred colours at King's College. Colonel Wolfe concluded by saying he hoped King's College would send forth its scholars as well fitted for the battle of life as they were for the battles of the Empire. At the conclusion of the address the battalion was dismissed.