NEW COLOURS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 3202, 22 February 1930, Page 5

NEW COLOURS

FOR HAURAKI REGIMENT.

AN INSPIRING CEREMONY,

(Special to Independent). PAEROA, Yesterday

Thursday was a red letter day in the history of Paeroa and the Ist Battalion, the Hauraki Regiment, which finished a course of 10 days’ training yesterday, when the ceremony of presenting new Colours to the Regiment took place. The troops had been training steadily and tho spectacle presented was an inspiration to the many thousands of people assembled oa the race course to witness the ceremony, among whom were a fair representation of Cambridge residents. It was pleasing to note the large number of officers and other ex-servicemen present who had served in the Great War under the old Colours. The Ceremony. The Battalion marched from camp to the ceremonial ground at 2.30 —each of the four companies representing a guard. The new Colours were carried, cased, between B and C companies by a Colour party.

A party of five drummers now marched across the parade ground,' beating the ‘‘Assembly." The officers having formed up in front of their companies, they marched across the ground to the time of- the Slow March.

The Band then trooped the Colours marching across the parade ground playing a Slow March, the old colours being marched off to the tune of ‘‘Auld Lang Syne."

The Archbishop prayed for the Colours and in consecrating them asked that if they win in battle, they may use their victory with moderation and that if success should not always attend their efforts, its absence may never be accompanied by dishonour. The formal presentation now took place, Major Edwards handing the new Colours over on behqlf of tho Paeroa Returned Soldiers' Association, to be followed by the presentation of the new Colours by Major-General Young, who delivered a short address to which tho Commanding Officer (Lieut.-Colonel F. Prideaux) replied. The new Colours having been saluted the Regiment performed “The March Past" in low and quick time, advanced in review order, and then marched off. Much credit is due to the officers responsible for the training of the men and especially to the Adjutant (Lieut. Y. J. Innes). The Band also had a very difficult part to perform, hut stood the test well, and materially assisted the ceremony. Safe-keeping of Old Colours.

Yesterday the old Colours were marched into Paeroa and presented to the Mayor and Councillors for safekeeping.