THE AUCKLAND RIFLE BATTALION COLOURS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XXIII, 3 December 1898, Page 714

THE AUCKLAND RIFLE BATTALION COLOURS.

'l'he Queen’s and regimental colours imported from England for the Auckland Rifle Battalion No. 1 are now in the possession of the Customs Department in Auckland, and will be formally presented as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made. Both colours are presented to the Rifle Battalion by the ladies of Auckland, the cost of the flags, exclusive of freight, etc., being £5B 16/. 'l'he ladies wish the colours presented at a daylight parade of the volunteer force, and Lady Ranfurly is to be asked to make the presentation. The colours were designed by LieutenantColonel Dig-nan (Hon. Colonel of the Battalion), who was the first to suggest the idea of colours, and who offered to present one or both if necessary. They are very handsome silk flags, ordered from Hobson and Sons, of London, and supplied by them from their 'lndian and Colonial Depart ment.'

I'he regimental colour is a large blue flag bearing in the upper inner corner the figure *l.' and in the other three corners the letters k N.Z.’ In the centre is the name of the battalion surrounding the arms of Lord Auckland. after whom this citv was named.

viz., a mailed fist grasping a sheaf of corn. This is surrounded by a wreath, and the whole is surmounted by a crown proper. Underneath the wreath is a white scroll l>earing in gold letters the inscription ’New Zealand.’ The centre of the flag is in crimson silk, with gold letters and edging. The centre scroll is gold with black silk letters. The crest in the centre is all gold on black and white. There is a blue and gold fringe, and blue and gold tassels; the colour is also fitted with a pole and a gilt crown. The Queen’s colour is the New Zealand Government flag, blue, with the four stars representing the Southern Cross, and with the Union Jack in the upper inner corner. In the centre of the Jack is the crown, over the motto. •Auckland Rifle Battalion.’ which encloses the Auckland arms. The four stars on the body of the flag are gold, with white edging. There is a gold fringe to the flag, and the pole is surmounted by a gilt crown and lion, while gold tassels depend from the top of the pole. Both colours are accompanied by colour belts, with the Auckland arms engraved thereon.