Hoisting the Flag.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue II, 14 July 1900, Page 67

Hoisting the Flag.

CEREMONY AT REMUERA. "Of hoisting flags there is no end”—and the Remuera Public School is the latest devotee of this form of Imperial ritual. Beautiful weather prevailed for the ceremony on Saturday last, and there were a good number of parents and friends present. A platform was erected for the speakers in the playground, and was prettily decorated with flowers. The children were grouped in front of the platform, the boys being drawn up in line, armed with wooden guns. On the platform were Mr Thos. Buddle (Chairman of the Remuera School Committee), Messrs M. A. Clark, S. Court, A. Holden, the Rev. G. B. Monrc and Capt. Mackenzie, R.A. Capt. Grant and Mr C. Ranson were also present. Mr T. Buddle, who presided, read a letter of apology from Lieut.-Col. Banks, who regretted that he was unable to be present to hoist the flag. The speaker then briefly explained to the children the meaning of the various crosses on the Union Jack, and then called upon Capt. Mackenzie to perform the ceremony of hoisting. Capt. Mackenzie then stepped forward and hauled the flag up, the guard of boys presenting arms, after which the children, under Miss Slator. sang ‘God Save the Queen.” Capt. Mackenzie, who was received with applause, gave a manly and earnest address to the children. He regretted that someone more eminent was not in his place. He then proceeded to tell the children what the flag meant, relating some of his experiences as a schoolboy in foreign countries under other flags. The flag was a sign of Empire, of the great and hapniest of all empires. The Empire had been built up by the unselfishness and courage of their ancestors, and he hoped that they would always maintain and display those same qualities. (Applause.) The children then sang ‘‘Sons of the Sea.” after which Mr Heriot thanked Capt. Mackenzie for his able speech and called for three cheers for him. These were given with great enthusiasm. Mr C. Ranson also paid a warm tribute to Capt. Mackenzie’s speech. They did not know whether he was a great man, but they were sure he was a good man. (Applause.) The sum of £ll was raised by the committee, teachers, parents of the children, and friends, which fully covers all expenses connectetd with the flagstaff and flags. The Chairman, Mr T. Buddle, kindly provided the children with lollies galore. The flags hoisted were two beautiful flags, a true Union Jack, and the latest New Zealand flag. The Doxology, followed by three cheers for the flag, concluded the ceremony.