TARANAKI VOLUNTEERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1916, Page 4

TARANAKI VOLUNTEERS.

COLORS DEPOSITED IN ST. MARY'S,

AN INTERESTING CEREMONY.

Tlie second phase of an interesting ceremony which was performed in New Plymouth nearly fifty-five years ago was carried out at St. Mary's Church yesterday morning, when the Colors of tlie old Taranaki Militia and Volunteers were deposited in the church which is so intimately associated with the early days in New Plymouth. The first part of the ceremony alluded to took place on historic Poverty, Flat—the old parade ground of the volunteers, but now answering the call of to-day by accommodating scholastic institutions—where the Colors were presented to the volunteers 011 .June 25, 1801, and were consecrated by the late Archdeacon Govett. Since that day volumes have been added to the history of Taranaki, and the Colors have gathered honored traditions, the name of South Africa being coupled with Waireka, until they now finally pass into the keeping of St. Mary's. Yesterday's ceremony was of a simple and appropriate nature, and was participated in by a large congregation. Before the service a military parade was held, and a strong force of Veteran# were joined by returned soldiers, cadets, and boy scouts, who, headed by the Citizen's Band, marched from the Old Drill Hall to St. Mary's, via Devon Street. Prominent in the parade were the Colors, which were borne by Colonel Messenger and Captain Brown, while a bodyguard was provided by n.c.o.'s from the High School cadets. On arrival at tlie church the bearers of the Colors took up their position at the head of the aisle, while the first portion of the service was gone through. Then the vicar (the Rev. A. H. Colvile) performed the ceremony of receiving the Colors into the church. In the course of a brief address the vicar said: "We are now about to take part in an interesting and significant ceremony, the presentation in the House' of God of the old Colors of the Taranaki Militia and of the Taranaki Volunteers. This presentations of Colors is a solemn acknowledgment of the power and providence of Almighty God and of His guiding and controlling hand. \\V hereby acknowledge that not by our owi; valor and wisdom but by His will does the British flag fly to-day over this Donn ion, and these Colors, while they call to our minds the courage, fortitude, and sacrifice of the men of our own race in days gone by, remind lis too of the never-failing providence of God, The flags, now to be presented here, have already been consecrated. On the 25th .Tune, 18(11, the Militia and the Volunteers, under the command of Major Herbert. mustered on their parade ground at Poverty Flat. With them was the 57th' Regiment. The Ven. Archdeacon Govett then solemnly consecrated the Colors, which were presented to the Militia and Volunteers by Mrs. Warre, wife of the officer commanding the Province of Taranaki. In making the presentation she said: '1 would remind you that the Colors of a regiment are pledges of jur faith and of our allegiance to Queen rind country; to be honored and preservfU as a sacred duty, to lie defended to the last at the cost of life itself.' Now these Colors on which are inscribed the iu me 'Waireka,' and in the case of the Volunteers 'South Africa,' symbols of du>» ; i nobly done, of sacrifice gladly made, f-.r which in the past men have bled and died, are to be presented in the Houst? of God. Here they will rest, that ail who in years to come shall worship with, in these walls may see them and understand that as God has upheld our nation in the past, so He will be with us today and for ever, as long as we do not forget Him, but still endeavour purselves to do His will and walk in His ways. Gratitude for the past, courage for the present, inspiration for the future—these are the thoughts that stir our minds as today we raise our standards in the House of God."

Colonel Messenger and Captain Brown then went forward and presented the Colors, after which the Citizens' BtuiJ played the National Anthem.