A UNIQUE FLAG

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 163, 13 July 1933, Page 4

A UNIQUE FLAG

PRESENTATION TO NATIVES EARLY DAYS RECALLED (By C. J. O’Keeffe.) Apropos of the article which appeared in yesterday’s issue with regard to Lieut.-General Logan, C. 8., it is interesting to read the following extract from the Illustrated Melbourne Post, of April 25, 1865: “From Wanganui we learn that the friendly natives who were victorious at Moutoa had been recently presented by Mrs. Colonelt Logan, on behalf of the ladies of Wanganui, with a flag. Tho interesting ceremony is thus described in the ‘Chronicle’ of the 4th.:— “ ‘The Maoris, of whom about 30b were men armed with muskets, while there were about 100 others, landed at the breakwater above the Market Place and being marshalled there, inarched down in a dense column to an open space left for them in the middle of the place, where had already assembled a larg y number of spectators. A detachment of the 57th. Regiment was drawn up on the high ground on the left of the Court-house, beside whom stood Mrs. Logan and the other fair donors of the flag, while to the right and left stood the other spectators in a dense line, which stretched all round the place, the ground in the centre appropriated to the Maoris being kept by a party of the 18th. Royal Irish. In this open space the Maoris seated themselves in two rows, and after a short interval went through a modified war dance. The chiefs, to the number of about 30, then came forward to tho neighbourhood of the flag. Mete Kingi stood forward and Airs. Logan addressed him and tho other chiefs in tho following words, Mr. Booth interpreting: ‘Chiefs and Men of Wanganui,— When the Queen’s soldiers have behaved with great bravery she presents them with colours, as a sign of her approbation, and also that in future battles they may feel that she is present with them when they look upon her flag. When tho brave chiefs and men of Wanganui fought at Moutoa, to save the lives of Europoou women and children from the hands of fanatics, who were maddened by the teachings of a false prophet, we, the ladies of Wan ganui, Rangitikei and Manawatu, determined to give them this flag, as a proof of our admiration of their noblo conduct iu our cause, also in memory of those who were killed in that battle. Since then they have fought again for us at Ohoutahi, aud a brave chief has fallen, over whose body we were proud to see our flag wave for tho first time; and wo believe, that coming from his grave, it will be to you, Maori chiefs, doubly sacred, and you will • hand down to your children’s children the flag of our Queen, which was laid over the body of John Williams. God save the Queen.’ “The troops presented arms, the fine band of the 18th. played ‘God Save the Queen,’ and pakeha and Maori showed their loyalty by three loud cheers. Mete Kingi and the other chiefs marched slowly round tho open space with a flag. This terminated the proceedings, with the exception of tho feast provided for the Maoris—there being £3O worth of currant loaves, buns and cakes, ginger and malt beer bought for the occasion by tho inhabitants; and yet there was not enough. The flag is a very beautiful one, made of wtyto silk, with the Union Jack in the upper corner, and in the middle a gilt crown, below which is a device of two hands clasped (pakeha and Maori), and underneath the word Moutoa in a semi-circle, from each end of which springs a wreath of laurel leaves. It is intended now to inscribe the words Ohoutahi and Wanganui on cither .side of the crown. Tho sum of £33 was subscribed by tho ladies of this neighbourhood for tho widows and orphans and for the flag. The materials for tho flag cost above £2O, leaving the remainder for tho other object. The subscribers arc greatly indebted to Mrs. Logan, who not only suggested and superintended the whole, but devoted five months of her spare time to the needlework of the flag.”