EMPIRE DAY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13295, 25 May 1907, Page 5

EMPIRE DAY.

COLONIAL-. MESSAGES. Press A'jsociation-By Telegraph-Copyright Received 10.19 p.m., May 24tli. LONDON,' May 24. Mi' Deakin sent the following 'message, to the " Standard " ; " Empire Day should arouse all British peoples to" our responsibilities which are as vast as, our dominions. We ha>ve a new empire in the;'making and it is we who. are: making it, though its evolution is proceeding slowly. We have imperfectly realised the nature of its growth. Its "greatness is emerging by degrees from under the shadow of the empire of old—barbarous or despotically aggressive. We are only now becoming able to see it- in the light of its own ideals, humane,. ethical and civilising. With these we'are supplanting the ancient lust of rule and substituting peaceful self-de-velopment in liberty under the law. While the sceptre of the Empire extends protection and justice to scores of millions of its subjects of other races,- it. induces with motherly affection and retains with brotherly loyalty a. true family life amongst, its own kin. Their self-govern-ments are- still in the course of adjustment to local circumstances, and continuing toreadjust themselves to the grave necessities of modern' times, they will gradually expand into a free, flexible national organisation applicable to the Empire as a whole. There are no precedents for_ this bold, endeavour and the processes require to be wisely chosen and well tested but by mutual aid, patience, forbearance and strenuous efforts 'towards integration we may yet attain a. unity of influence commensurate to the height and breadth of achievement which are' still open to us on this Empire Day." Then follows Dr Jameson's message warning the Empire against the danger of losing its herit-age if it fails to _ unite Britain and its growing oversea nationalities on an organised and durable basis. Finally Sir R. . Bond offers liis best wishes for a united Empire—united in the bonds of sentiment and strengthened by material ties resting upon mutual concessions and mutual obligations. Eightv thousand school children in London" and 500,000 throughout the United Kingdom took part, in the ceremony of saluting the. flag. OTTAWA, May 24. Empire Dav was observed in the Ontario schools yesterday. Twenty-five school children participated in the procession at Toronto, and decorated the Queen Victoria monument in Queen's park. REJOICINGS IN AUSTRALIA. Received .11.21 p.m.. May 24th. SYDNEY, May 24. Empire Day celebrations were general throughout the State. The city and shipping were gaily decorated, and badges were everywhere in evidence. Appropriate (speeches by leading citizens were delivered at school gatherings, the most imposing beins* a combined demonstration of 3500 children at the Victoria Barracks, the Gov-ernor-General and others delivering patriotic addresses. An interesting ceremony was the handing over of a flagstaff and flag presented 'to the city by the women's branch of the Empire League. The staff was erected on the reserve in Macciuarie Place, the spot where the first proclamation of Brit Hi possession was made, the Lord Mayor and Sir Francis Sutor delivering historic speeches. The Royal Exchange observed the occasion with the usual enthusiasm, and addresses were permeated by the empire spirit. Throughout- the day and night bands stationed at various parts of the city rendered patriotic selections, great crowds viewing the illuminations of the Queen's statue, some of the public buildings, and warships. The day was "widely and entliusiasticallT observed in the- other States. ;

AT ,W AIM ATE. Empire Day passed off quietly in "Waimate.. The' day before was_ very wet, and although the snn shone brightly overhead, the ground was very muddy. Despite this .the meets of the" South Canterbury Harriers with the local pack, and tlv/Hunt Club at -Wainono, were largely attended and .enjoyed.ln the morning the- Waimakariri and Studholme Mounted 'Rifle.?i ,fired a mutch on the local range, the H.M.K, being the winners. ■

AT GERALDINE. Empire Day was celebrated-.-it 'Geraldine by the planting of an oak to the memory of the late Hon. 11. J. Seddon. There was an excellent attendance of townspeople'. A procession headed by the Geraldine Rifles "(Captain Patterson) and Cadets (Captain Montgomery) left Mulhern's corner at 11 a.m. and proceeded- to the Domain, where the military formed a square in front of the platform, which luvd been erected, and 'the various speakers occupied seats. Mr Maling, the Mayor of Geraldine; opened tl\e proceedings with abrief speech, explaining the object of the gathering that day. He then called upon Sir F. R. Flat-man. M.H.R., to address those present. Mr Flatman delivered an exceptionally interesting and able address which included a brief history of the political career of the statesman whose memory the oak wus being planted to perpetuate. Mr Flatman pointed out the misrepresentations .that) public men were always subject- to, and .spoke of the large amount of important and beneficent, woil-, which, -had l*?eu done.by. the late, Mr Soddon for Hie improvement of thfc country in

which hj« had so long occupied a leading position. Mr Bernard Tripp, as representing agricultural and pastoral interests, spoke of the number of good works (hat had been tarried out by the Seddon Government in the interests of the fanning community; and referred particularly to the good which thatj Government had done in coming to the rescue of the Bank of New Zealand, a serious financial disaster being thereby averted. Colonel Mackenzie, on behalf of the Defence Department, also paid a high tribute to the work, done during Mr Seddon's term of office as Minister of Defence, particularly with regard to fostering the cadet movement. Mr T. Sherratt spoke at some length*of the help Mr Seddon had always given to education, and incidentally reminded the boys and girls present, that it was not always tbos« with, the highest scholarship who achieved the greatest success, but rather the one who utilised to the full the education which lie or slits had acquired. The oak was then, formally planted by the Mayoress, three cheers for whom and for the Mayor closed a very interesting ceremony. The gathering was well arranged, the speakers wero distinctly good, and altogether the gathering was among the best ever held at Geraldine.

HOCKEY MATCH. Geraldine journeyed into Timaru yesterday morning and played the return match' with the: Town Club on the Athletic Grounds, the teams taking the field at 11.15 a.m. There was a good sprinkling of spectators, principally of the fair'sex, and by their remarks on the play and also their applause they evidently enjoyed the game. The. ground after the recent rain was in good condition and consequently the game was a. very fast one: and from a, spectator's point of view was of a -very interesting nature, the ball travelling up and down the field at n.n exceedingly rapid rate. From the bully off Timaru got well away placing Geraldine on the defence .and bv good combination.' between the forwards Parker received a good pas'si from Milne and had a shot at the nets a. 25 resulting, the ball just passing outside the posts. The Timaru attack was well supported by the backs, arid for a time they looked very much like scoring, but the defence of the Geraldine backs proved too sound. After a- good deal ,of give and take play, the Geraldine forwards got away with the ball "and Gracie scored a good goal, the whistle .shortly after sounding half time. On resuming Gferaldine kept. up the fittack and from a good dribbling rush from his own 25 O. Anderson registered the second goal for his side. Keeping up the attack Geraldine were again pressing hard and from a scramble in the circle McAlistar placed a. third goal. Timaru now livened up and took the ball right through the visitors backs and 1 from a pass by Grieve, Milne notched the first goal for Timaru. Following up their success Timaru again returned to the attack and by good combined play between Milne, Kennedy, and Grieve the last- named scored a. good goal. Timaru were now having the best of the play and by good work among the forwards Parker got the ball a.nd .taking- it down the field scored the, third goal for TiiTfaru. The latter were again attacking when the whistle sounded. The back play of the visitors was very sound, notably McCaskv and A. Sutherland, and for the forwards R. Graeie and Oi.-Anderson played well; whilo for Timaru R. Grade, Grieve, Kill grove and Warburton played well. Mr Davey kindly acted as referee. IN OTHER PLACES. At Ashburton there was a demonstration by the No License Council—in the afternoon a programme of sports; in the evening a mass meeting when speeches were made by Rev. Mr Dawson, of Wellington, and Mr A. S. Adams, of Dunedin. —At Wellington the day wais observed at the city and suburban schools by flag salpting ceremonies and delivery of appropriate addresses to the' scholars. The Governor and Minister for Education visited the Terrace school and spoke briefly to the children. They also presented medals and shield to a squad of cadets who had won the North Island championship.