DOMINION DAY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 13711, 28 September 1908, Page 2

DOMINION DAY.

PARADE OF CADETS.

Timarn paid very little attention to the celebration of Dominion Day. The Government'offices kept whole or partial holiday," anil decorated themselves with bunting, the Courthouse flagpole being conspicuous for the abundance of its display of colour. A good few flags were also flown over business and private premises. The most notable mark of observance of ihe day was a battalion parade of the Public "School Cadets on the Main School grounds. The morning being fine was in favour of the country schools being well represented, and there was consequently a good muster. The parade was under the command of ilajor Montgomery, of Geraldine, and comprised the following companies:— Timaru Main-No. 1, 43 (Capt. Collins). Timaru Main No. 2, 46 (Capt. Fleming). Waimaitaitai, 36 (Capt. Werry). Timaru South, 40 (Lieut. Marriott). Waimate, 37 (Capt. Goldstone, Lienis. Laing and F owe raker). Temuka, 49 (Lieut. Hancox). Geraldine 18, Woodbury 9, Fairlie 21 | (conjoined), under Lieut. Donohue. i Captain Valentine was of tlie battalion, .and other officeis than thfit~e named were present. -The iotal muster in .uniform was: —Officers. 12, cadets. 299. The cadets were put through a number of battalion movements on the Main School | grounds, in the presence of a few onlookers, who spoke sympathetically of the cadet system, and admiringly of' the appearance of the boys and their marching and knowledge of drill movements. After these exercises they were formed into marching order, and marched through the main streets tA. the railway station, a bugle band of three giving the marching time at intervals. The sight of the 300 cadets, in their neat jensey uniforms, with varied facings, white haversacks, and redsashed sergeants. keeping step very well and keeping line rtspectably for the most part, called forth many expressions of pleasure from the bystandeni in the then busy streets.

The cadets were formed up according to their companies on the wider space at the railway station, and Major Montgomery briefly addressed them. He congratulated the boys on their excellent muster, and on the way they had gone through" their drill. He hoped they would always be able to have such a parade on Dominion Day, and that they would look upon the celebration of the day as a reminder that tliey ought to be good citizens of the Dominion in which they lived. On dismissal the boys hurried off in ■ all directions for lunch,for which those who had come long "distances were quite ready. The Woodbury and Fairlie boys especially, .had had to made an early breakfast in order to attend the parade. Throughout the afternoon the country detachments supplied chips of colour to the streets, as they wandered about looking at (lie shop windows. Some of the Waimate boys were the proud wearers of shooting medala ; a few had decorated their jereeys with the Dominion Day medals. The parade passed off well, and one of it* best features' was the pleased interest taken in the cadets as they marched through the town. DECORATIONS IN SYDNEY. Press Association-Bv Tele e raph—Co pyrVh» SYDNEY, Sept; 26, The New Zealand Government Agency and the Union Company's offices were gaily decorated with bunting..-, m honour of Dominion Day. AT THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT. HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL REJOICINGS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, SepL 27. The first anniversaiy of Dominion Day was celebrated in Wellington yesterday with much enthusiasm. The weather conditions were extremely favourable and everything passed off with great success. In the morning there was demonstration on the Basin Reserve there'being presented to the great crowd"/«if; spectators n living New Zealand; Ensign, composed of over 500 coloured flags' carried by' children. Three battalions of pnblic school' cadets formed a .national .guard. Dominion medals were presented. by His Excellency the Governor to the- head teachers for distribution among the children.

Lord Plunket, in a short speech, said it was important that the rising generation should be taught that the title of Dominion was not given as a toy to be played with, but as an ncknowledment -that- these islands were entitled to ft place in the rising sister nations of the empire and in the belief that their people were prepared to ac:»pt the responsibilities which the higher status implied.

Sir Joseph Ward said that tfcey should utilise such an occasion 'cr the pur pose of impressing particularly ttpon the rising generation the great value of pride in their country and t»>e enormous advantage it was to have instilled into the young ininds of this growing Dominion the necessity of sincere and devoted patriotism to this portion of the great empire. He hoped that before veiy long Dominion Day would be proclaimed a .statutory holiday throughout the country—the fixing of a certain day for certain work in connection with the voluuteer movement of New. Zealand.

There were more than 20,000 persona at Newtown Park jn the afternoon when the Govenror inspected nearly 2400 volunteers und cadeta and there was an impressive march past. The Prime Minister aud Lady Ward were preseut, besides several other members of the Cabinet and members of the Council of Defence. The parade was probably the largest ever seen in Wellington and wa» altogether an impressive aud highly successful -urn out.

j At night the city was splendidly illuminated, the chief feature being an adtnirable representation on the huge Government buildings of the rising sun, symbolising New Zealand's bright future. There was a reception at the Town Hall, pr*-sided over by the Mayor. Lord Plunket said he was satisfied that the people of New Zealand did not intend their country to be a Dominion only in name. He had noticed a slowly growing but clear indication that the countrywas realising its responsibilities. The spirit of nationality that was arising here was properly appreciated at Home. They could not blind their eyes to the fuci hat at a time of piofound peace every nation was arming ituelf with feverish rapidity, aud even in peace time the commercial struggle for supremacy was almiwt a war in itMrlf. The >ooner the British Colonies could fill their vacant lands, and the sooner they could t-vulve a force capable of at least adequately protecting themselves, the better for all. Sir Joseph Ward spoke of the signifxiancc <«f tli-- dav's celebration* and of the

splendid and imjiortant future of New Zealand. lie eaid that it- often happened through want of practical knowledge f'J) t lit- psrt <.f j>enson» *;» cuntiol atf.ur- in llio Old World, tlia; the ')o iii.iiiuii did not re'cive ristis'auco in detail it wm considered the country entitled t«>. Representations had made* t" tlu* Mother (ViUjilty asking tor their oo o[«cratinn. »<> that Xew Zral.iinl could h.ive a ship not now u»ed in I he Old l.and on ttiiu !t a ti*.ti>J»d lad* i uuld l>e trained for the menh.uif mannc or for *hi|>s of w:ir. I le vrrr to *.» v th.it lh<-r- h.ul !«-«-n no rr*j»on.«« to the re')U"i There khouid certainly hive t'C-n reply He i-«>u!d nut arcntint fop the indiff'-ren* c displayed. » s ir Jueeph Ward «j"k« of the intention lo increaio

New Zealand's naval contribution, and concluded with a quotation from Tennyson " Brother : hold your own." VOLUNTEER FIELD DAY.' 'NAPIER, Sept. 26. The Napier and Hastongs Infantry Volunteers, wish the Te Aute and Napier High Scliooi Cadets, had a successful afternoon's field work. Colonel Davits gave out a schema of attack and' defence when the troops paraded, and this Mas carried out in a manner with which the InspectorGeneral '• expressed himself well pleased. There were about 160 volunteers on parade. The distribution of Dominion medals topupils of public schools took place on the Marine parade- in the forenoon in beautifully tine weather, the speakers including Mr Justice Chapman and Colonel Davies. NO CHANGE MADE. BLENHEIM, Sept. 26. Dominion Day was not observed here as a holiday. Medals were given' to the children yesterday afternoon, so that their holiday to-day should not be interfered with., A few business places displayed bunting. An excursion to Ship Cove was held in beautiful weather. . AT GREYMOUTH. ' GREYMOUTH, Sept, 26. Dominion Day was celebrated in beautiful weather, and the town was gaily decorated with, bunting. The State school children assembleod and saluted the flag, singing the National Anthem. A large crowd of the public was present, and appropriate speeches were delivered by the -\layor, chairman of the Education Board, Stipendiary Magistrate, and the R«v. R. Stewart. Three clieeis were given for the Premier and Lady Ward. Medals were presented to the children, and after the ceremony each child was presented with a bag of confectionery. The schools tlirough Grey education district- suitably celebrated the occasion. DISPLAY OF FLAGS. OAMARU, Sept. 26. To-day was not observed as a general holiday, but a special display of bunting was made, especially on the post- office building, which was gaily decorated, and gave the signal "/Advance Dominion of New Zealand." The Waitemata, at pr<sem in port, was also gay with bunting. There was a parade of the High and Town School Cadet Battalion, which saluted the Dominion flag at the Town Hall. A QUIET DAY. DUN EDIN, Sept. 26. Dominion Day was celebrated very quietly here. Flags were flown freely, and a number of business premises were closed! from Ito 5 p.m. In a number of schools medals were presented yesterday, and in others the presentation takes .place on Monday. The principal feature of the celebrations was the parade of volunteers and school cadet*. MAYORAL BANQUET. INVERCARGILL, Sept. 26. About 200 citizens attended the banquet given by the Mayor, Mr Scandrett, on Saturday night, in commemoration of Dominion Day. It was unanimously'resolved at the outset, on the Mayor's motion, to send thfl following telegram' to the Premier :—"This gathering of local and public bodies, past Mayors; chairmen of social and industrial organisations, commemorating the anniversary of Dominion Day,: very cordially tender hearty congratulations to Sir* J. G. Ward, 'Prime Minister of New Zealand, on the twentyfirst anniversary of his entrance into political: life, rand sincerely hope he may be spared for many years to assist in the government of the Dominion, and in the development of its representative institutions and its natural resources." Later in the eyening the Mayor received a i>eply from-: the. prenuer, conveying his thanks foi- and asking -the. Mayor to- express the same to the meeting. The banquet was prolonged till nearly midnight, by reason of the speeches, which were numerous -and of a. patriotic kind. Some of the speakers expressed the opinion that already the importance of New Zealand had been enchanced in the eyes of other conn tries % reason of the new status of Dominion. There was also some 'expression of view; that a general commemoration of Dominion Day would tend towards the stimulation of a patriotic sentiment.