CEREMONY AT TEMUKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 38, 10 January 1890, Page 5

CEREMONY AT TEMUKA.

(From an occasional Correspondent.)

A VBBY pleasing ceremony took place last Boxing Day at the Ca!e« donian eports, Temuka, viz., tne presentation of an Irish flag to the society by Mr. M. Quinn, one of its vice-preei tents. At 3 p.m., the three pipe'B mtrched from tbe grand stand, playing the popular and appropriate air of the " Heights of Alma," followed by Mr. A. M. Clark president, and Mr. Quinn, vice-president, aud oihors, to the dan ing stage, around whicb a large number congregate! rapidly. Mr. Qjinn spoke as follows : 1( Mr. President, ladies, nnd gentlemen, — Some eighteen months ago, immediately after the formation of our society, it was my intention to give a special prize, but on mature consideration, and seeing that our society was poorly furnished in the w >y of flags or banners, I thought that as an Irishman and one of your first vice-presidents, I could not give a more appropriate prize th*n that which lam now about to present, viz : the flag of my native country (applause). Our society aims at uniting English, liish, and Scotch in the bonds of peace and good fellowship. Our mo'to, "Think of tbe people you come from," applies toall, whether he be a 'lurk, African, or Hindoo. Every man would find it as suitable to himßelf as any Scotchman, and, if we adhered to it, we would make our society a grand one." The speaker went on to say : To Mr. Clark was due in a great measure the success the society had achieved, and now they could say it was second to none in Can'erbury, and the way it had been patronised that day clearly showed that it was appreciated by the public. He hoped they would continue to prosper, and that the good feeling which they aimed at would increase a Dundred fold. He had now much pleasure in presenting the flag of bis na ive count y, and hoped that it would float for a long time, as it was floating siue by side with the Scotch flag. The Irish and Scotch had fought on many a battlefield together, even oa the heights of Alma, of which the pipers bad just discoursed such splendid music. Th« fUg of his country had been for coma time kept under foot by oppression, coercion, and tjrany ; but he hoped and trusted the day was not far die ant when by the united effort of the patriotic and liberal-minded men of England, Ireland, and Scotland, the Irish flag would float with as much freedom and liberty as theirs in New Zealand." — (Cheers.) Mr. Quii n then presented the flag to the President, Mr, Clark, and concluded as follows :—: — " May Ireland's voice be ever heard — Amidst tbe world's applause, And never be her flag-etaff stirred But in an honest cause. May freedom be her very brsatb, Be justice ever dear, And never an enobled death. May son of Ireland fear.

Mr. Clark thanked Mr Quinn on behalf of himself and tbe society for his very handsome present, and hoped the Irish and Scotch flag would float side by side for a long time. It was a well known fact th »t the Irish and Scotch always fought bravely and well 4 together, and that the greatest goodwill always existed between

flench and Irish regime its and he booed hat simi ar good feelings would a' ways exist between themselves. -(Applame.) The proceedings thtn terminated.