TROOPING THE COLOURS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20236, 22 April 1929, Page 12

TROOPING THE COLOURS.

THE AUCKLAND REGIMENT.

CEREMONY AT THE DOMAIN.

Att INSPIRING SPECTACLE

GOVERNOR-GENERAL TAKES PART

"Let us pray Almighty God of His mercy to grant that they may never be unfurled save in the cause of justice and righteousness." With this solemn prayer the new King's and regimental colours were presented to the Auckland Regiment by tho Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergtisson, and wero consecrated by Archbishop Averill at a stirring military ceremony in tho Auckland Domain yesterday. There was an attendance of about 15,000, including Lady Alice Fergusson and party and a large number of military representatives, all of whom were in ceremonial dress.

About 800 officers and men of the First Battalion, which received the colours on behalf of the regiment, paraded in the Outer Domain early in the afternoon in heavy rain. Tho weather subsequently cleared, however, and the brilliantly picturesque ceremony, occupying over an hour and a-quarter, was completed under a sunny autumn sky. Troops Make a Brave Show.

Shortly before three o'clock the bat- 1 tulion band, under Corporal 'K. H. Young, as drum-major, played the largo body of khaki-clad troops on to the main ground to the stirring strains of "Colonel Bogey," and passing the old colours, making a last brave show under an escort of four marching sentries, tho battalion formed up in a great double lino facing the grandstand, with fixed bayonets. Tho parade was then handed over to Lieu-tenant-Colonel T. H. Dawson, commanding officer of the battalion, by the adjutant, Captain J. G. C. Wales. Facing this formidable khaki wall tlio Governor-General, who was received by Lieutenant-Colonel J. E. Duigan,j chief staff officer, Northern Command, and Lieutenant 11. S. Judson, V.C., took his stand at the hour. Ho was in the uniform of a general and was attended by Captain E. P. O. Boyle, of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, and Captain E. L. OrrEwing, of tho Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).

Archbishop Averill followed His Excellency to the saluting base, preceded by Archdeacon 11. A. Hawkins, bparing the primacial cross and attended by Archdeacon W. J. Simkin, Canon 11. K. Archdall, the Rev. J. M. Beaufort and the Rev. R. J. Stanton. The mingling of the brilliant full-dress uniforms worn by the Vice-Regal party and the red, white and purplo vestments of the Primate and his attendants stood out in striking relief against the sombre hue of the territorials.

Intricate Manoeuvres. After the playing of the Royal Salute by tho band, the first movement of an intricate series of manoeuvres took place, At the single command, "Troop!" the band passed along tho front of the battalion to tho strains of a slow march, which symbolised the funeral dirge of the old colours. On reaching tho faded flags, still closely guarded, the band turned its back upon them and retraced its steps playing a bright air. Its return was the signal for the escort company, under Captain D. M* Rao, .to claim possession of tho old colours. With almost pathetic solemnity the escort company gave the battalion its last glimpso of tho frail old Hags, trooping them slowly along the line, which stood irnmovablo at the present. Thus the old colours, honourably borne aloft, passed from sight to the tune of "Auld Lang Sync." Tho very sky seemed to sense the brighter note that was struck as the new colours were brought with a proud flourish into tho light of day. As though commanded by an unheard voice, tlio dark clouds opened overhead and tho bright sun poured down upon the pageant beneath. It was a colourful scene. As the battalion formed three sides of a square, the new colours, resplendent in dazzling silks and surmounted by tho glittering Royal crests, were brought forward and placed on piled drums, Consecrating the Colours.

The ceremony now took on a profound religious air. His Graco blessed the colours, and in a short service dedicated them that they might bo " a sign of duty toward our 'King and country in the sight of God." After handing tho silken emblems to a colour party, His Excellency spoke to the men upon the significance of regimental colours. "They speak to us," he said, "of tho loyalty and service we owe as soldiers of tho King; and remind that such loyally demands from us, not only in war, but also in daily duty, tho highest, forms of self-sacrifice. It was by such self-sacrifice, given so freely in South Africa, Gallipoli and France, that tho honourable history and traditions of your regiment have been built up. The ideals for which your comrades fought and died are symbolised in these colours, which are sanctified by their blood and glorified by their sacrifice. "And so, on behalf of His Majesty the King, I entrust these colours to your keeping, in tho full assuranco that you will guard them as a symbol of tho honour of tho regiment and of tho duty which you as soldiers are pledged to render. Seo that you never clisgraco them, but hnfid them on to your successors unsullied as you now receive them." Praise for Territorials. In reply, Lieutenant-Colonel Dawson thanked His Excellency for his presence, assuring him that the unit was proud to roceivo tho colours from tho King's representative, who was also such a distinguished soldier. "I can earnestly assure Your Excellency," he said, "that as long as tho samo willing spirit of duty exists among the young territorials as is found to-day, the colours will bo duly respected and honoured."

Then followed tho general salute to the new colours, a march past the Vice-Regal stand, and cheers for tho GovernorGeneral.

After the parade His Excellency expressed to the commanding officer his pleasure at tho manner in which the ceremony had been conducted, and congratulated him upon the steadiness of the troops on parade.