TROOPING THE COLOURS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20235, 20 April 1929, Page 14

TROOPING THE COLOURS.

THE AUCKLAND REGIMENT.

CEREMONY IN THE DOMAIN.

PARADE TO-MORROW AFTERNOON

New King's and regimental colours will be presented to the Ist Battalion, Auckland Regiment, and consecrated by Archbishop Avorill in the Domain to morrow afternoon. The new colours, which were mado in England, under the direction of the Suffolk Regiment, which is allied with the Auckland Regiment, will replace those dedicated by the late Bishop Cowie, Primate and Bishop of Auckland, in 1899. These old colours arc now so worn that it is not safo to unfurl them, at ceremonial parades, and they are preserved in tho Town Hall,

It is 30 years sinco Aucklanders have had an opportunity of witnessing one of tho most picturosquo and impressive ol all military ceromoninl parades. The colours of a regiment arc the symbolic emblems of tho continuity of the unit's activities. Tho personnel is constantly changing, but a regiment's colours signify that the unit retains its traditions irrespective of those who go to make up its ranks. Hundreds of Aucklanders have a sentimental attachment tt) tho old colours of the local regiment, and it is intended .these shall be prcsorved. The history of the Army's (lags is one df endless romance, and even in the comparatively short life of the Auckland Regiment numerous battle honours have found a place on its colours. The honours inscribed on tho new colours bring the regiment's history up to dale and their order on the King's colour is:— South Africa, 1900-1902; Flers, Courcellette, Messines, 1917; Broodseinde, Arras, 1918; Bapaume, 1918; Canal du Nord, Krithia, landing at Anzac, defence of Anzac, Sari Bair. In the general design the King's colour is common to all regiments, consisting of a Great Union fringed with gold, with the regiment's battle honours on each side in scrolls of gold with black letters. The regimental colour is a wonderfully designed flag bearing the regimental badgo and crown. Both flags, which are of heavy silk, are mounted on pikes surmounted by the Royal crest. 'The colours cost about 1150 each.

Military (lags or colours have always commanded a respect bordering almost on the sacred. Their uso is governed by King's Regulations and they must at all times be paid the highest honours. It is because of these strict regulations that the ceremony of trooping the colours is regarded as one of tho most solemn in the Army, They may be handled only by commissioned officers, and full honours are to be accorded tho final furling of tho old colours, which will make their final appearance to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne." The Governor-General will arrivo on the parade ground at three o'clock, although the battalion will form up earlier in line with fixed bayonets. r l he whole ceremony, including an address by His Excellency, and a reply bv LieutenantColonel T. H. Dawson, C.M.G., C.8.E., will occupy about an hour and a quarter. Amplifiers will be installed so that the addresses can bo heard from all parts of the ground. It is interesting to recall that Colonel C. T. Major, at present honorary colonel to the regiment, was present 'in the Outer Domain when the old colours were dedicated in 1899.