KARGINS OVER THE COLOURS

Southland Times, Issue 17059, 4 June 1912, Page 7

KARGINS OVER THE COLOURS

~~ . , ■ ’* akt raipztsssivi: ceeemoh?. The now regulations that have been issued do not permit of mounted corps carrying regimental colours, and tho Till Regiment lias had accordingly to hand over tho colours to a constitutional authority, and the Town Council at its last meeting consented to take charge of them. The ceremony of handing over the colours took place yesterday outside the Municipal offices. There was a big turnout of Territorials, the A Squadron of tho 7th Regiment being particularly well represented. There was also a large attendance of councillors and leading citizens.

In handing over the colours to the custody of the Mayor, Colonel Bowler said: Your "Worship and gentlemen, the Councillors, it is my duty to-day to present to you the colours. They are the colours of the Regiment which I command, the 7th Regiment of Mounted Rifl?s, and they were presented to the Regiment about six years ago, when the Regiment was designated the Southland Mounted Rides. They bear upon them no battD scars, yet, nevertheless, they have been treasured and cherished by the men of the Regiment as a .symbol of Roved favour, ami a marie of the confidence of His Majesty in the Regiment's patriotism and sense of the duty. It lias been commanded that these colours shall no longer lie carried in the Regiment, and that they shall be handed over for safe-keeping to sneli authority as may be decreed most fitting. This authority, I consider, is yourself and vour Council, as the civic representatives of the town, which is the headquarters of the Regiment, and the capital city of-the Territory from which its men are drawn. So now. in the belief and trust that you and your successors ! n office will over preserve these colours. I ■ commit them into your hands and custody." The Mayor said: “Colonel Bowler .and Genttemon. —On behalf of the Council and citizens of Invercargill, f accept the responsibility of the guardianship of the" colours of the Southland Mounted Rifles. It is necessary Its.at the youth of the nonunion should he trained to arms so as to lie prepared for war. "Wo all believe that the training of Use youth in military discipline will lie beneficial to the State, as it will certain! v lie to the individual who is so trained. "We all hope that in this peaceful and happy Xew Zealand yon will never he called upon to risk your life in i lie military service of the Dominion, but we are all quite sure that if the necessity arises for you to do so, future historians will he able to record deeds of bravery and heroism as great ami as noble as will be hea.nl of in any other division of Urn British Race. Peace is post assured by being prepared for war. History abounds in records of heroic deeds of all grades of the British Army, and we know that Xew Zealanders in the Soul'n African War were ns patriotic and ns daring as their comrades from the Old T.and. X'ature lias implanted in men and women the love of home, and the highest duty of man is to protect ins homo and give Ids life for his country if it needs it. Colonel Bowler, T accept with pleasure the custody and care of your Regimental colours.”

[u response to an invi tat inn from Hie Mayor, I;is Honour (Sir Jo-hna tVil[ianisi, addre'sed the! gathering. Ho ;.;ii.l that i ll ■ hail to confess that ho found it somewhat difficult at a moment's notice to say something equal In tho occasion. As a citizen of New Zealand, ho was proud to see he fore him tho youth of New Zealand so well sot up and of such fine physique. There had been and still was a great deal of opposition to I rain in s’ of our youths to arms; tint lie was satisfied that, if those who objected understood what military experience anal discipline really were, time would abandon (bat opposition. He had b"en a volunteer himself, and had served in a company known as tho 'l'evil's Own," and had had two years of stis ruious drill, Curing the whole of his life ho had reaped tho benefit of that training, and even now. when at a con.-iac raidy advanced act. he still lelt the benefit' of it. tie hoped that war would never eorue imon us; hut he felt (hat. if it diil come, they would do t'aeir duly; whet they had done In South Africa, they would do in Hie future. Addressing Colonel Howler, Fir Joshua said: "Colonel Howler, 1 wish you success; and, if war does come, I am satislied that glory will attend your P.egiment."

At the conclusion of tiro ceremony, (he battalion presented arms, "God Save the Kins;" was played by the hand, and the Hi roe cheers were lustily given by the assembled Territorials.