Trafalgar Day.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 26, 24 October 1905, Page 2

Trafalgar Day.

OTAUTAU SCHOOL.

To commemorate : the anniversary of Lord Nelson's famous victory at the battle of Trafalgar, on the 21st of October, 1805, the public schools of the colony were enjoined by the Education Department to celebrate the occasion by a demonstration on the part of the children, assisted by the teaohers andi members' of school committees. In keeping with the rest of the schools of the colony, an interesting progamme was carried out by the Otautau Publio School on Friday. Commencing with the National Anthem, the scholars sang the following patriotic songs :— "The Arethusa," a song rendered historical as the last played by the band before Nelson went on board his flagship on leaving for the memorable battle ;" The Bay of Biscay," •* Hearts of Oak," "A life on the Ocean Wave/a nd the New Zealand National Anthem. Several members of the committee and a number of friends were present. For weeks past special attention has been devoted^by the teaohers to giving the children lessons reminiscent of the famous Victory and Lord Nelson.

Mr Fisher, a member of the committee, gave a short address on Lord Nelson and his achievements, pointing out that one of the results of the famous victory of Trafalgar was the freedom that: we, as a nation, enjoyed to-day, owing to that battle having deter mined England's supremacy of the seas. The fearlessness, courage, determination, high sense of duty, patriotism, and self sacrificing devotion of Nelson had handed his name down as one of the greatest heroes of our race, and it was well that we should commemorate the crowning, act of so great a man. Love of his profession characterised his every action, and no detail had been too insignificant for him to learn. His example m this direction was a stimulus to emulation amongst* boys and girls of the present day. If " genius is the art of taking infinite pains," then Nelson was a genius, and a sphere of wonderful usefulness and greatness was open to any boy prepared to devote his energies and ability m the fulfilment of his duty. Nelson's famous signal, • 4 England expect-** every man to do his duty," was an utterance to live fo" ages, a motto worthy of acceptance by all the Sons of the Empire to-day. and which would hold a place through ages to come. Nelson recognised his duty to his country, and as a partner m hts country's welfare, had done his duty, and was recorded m her history as one of her most illustrious sons, and he, the speaker, could not do better than quote to them the words of Lord Rosebery, and enjoin, upon them to follow m the footsteps of the illustrous admiral, and adhere to the path, of duty. " You are after all membors of that company of adventurers which is embarked m the business of carrying the British Empire through the 20th century. Each ; of you has his share m that glorious heritage, and each of you is answerable foe that share; be then practical partners, intelligent partners, industrial partners, and so you will be m. the best sense, practical, intelligent, industrial Imperialists."

Mi* Scatter followed with a few words of encouragement to the scholars, and an intimation that the sohool was dismissed for the rest of the day.

Three cheers were given for "Our Native Land," our teachers, and the committee.