NEW ZEALAND ENSIGN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3564, 26 September 1916, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND ENSIGN

PRESENTED TO HIGH SCHOOL.

Yesterday afternoon a unique ceremony was held at the Ashburton High School, for tlie purpose of celebrating Dominion Day, and also for presenting a New Zealand Ensign to the Old Pupils' Association by Mr T. Bullock. TUc Hag, which was made by girl pupils of ■ the school; contained a roll of honour of old pupils of the school who had enlisted. Some of the pupils had been killed in action, others had been wounded, and some had returned home, while others are in camp. The flag was recently sold by auction at the Cafe Chantant and Fancy Fair in aid j of the Sick and Wounded and Red Cross Funds, and was purchased 1 by Mr T. Bullock, who decided to present it to the school.

The gathering was attended by the members of the High School Board— Messrs J. Tucker (chairman), C. Reid J. B. Christian, W. B. Denshire, W. H. Collins, J. Davison (secretary). Mr W. Anderson represented the Old Pupils' Association.

The gathering took place in the High School assembly room, in the presence of the visitors, pupils, and teachcrg.

Air W. "F. Waiters, 8.A., in addressing the pupils, said they had assembled for the dual purpose of doing ho.'uniy to Dominion Day and of receiving the flag from Mr Bullock. They had no doubt all,heard about the origin of Dominion Day, so he only proposed to refer to it briefly. Nine years ago^ owing. to the "growth of population in New Zealand, and also owirig to its growth in wealth and enterprise, New Zealand was raised to the dignity of a, Dominion. The title of Dominion naturally brought with it greater responsibility not only to our own people, but also in matters pertaining to the Empire. The outlook of New Zealand had been widened, and the people" were called upon to discharge their duty to tho Empire in a more efficient manner than in the past. It was only natural ,to aßk had we done so ? He considered this would easily bo answered by what had taken place in New Zealand during the past few years, and the school had also assisted. Not so long ago the people of New Zealand had given a battleship to the British Navy, and since the war had started, , regular reinforcements had left these shores, making a- total of some 60,000 men. This would serve to show that New Zealand people were trying to do what was expected of them since the country was raised to the dignity of a Dominion. The people had shown by their patriotism that they were determined to live up_ to the high ideals required by the British Empire. Mr' Watters then explainod to the boys and girls that it was their duty to profit by the advantages which they had at school, and if^the time came, and he hoped it never would again, when the Empire would be plung6d into war,, that they.-would be ready to acquit themselves in the fight. This could only be done by systematic training. They had also to train themselves physically, intellectually, and morally to meet any demands that might be made upon them. Tho puniLs of the school would in their tarn

have to assist in moulding the.-desti-nies of the Dominion, and to'do their share to make it develop and become still more influential. ; Mf .Watters then welcomed Mr T. Bullock* to the gathering. Ho stated that Mr 'Bullock, Mr J. Tucker, and Mr W. H. Collins had been closely connected with the school for many years. Mr Builock was connected with the first Board

<>f Governors when it was formed in January 29, 1879, and had taken a great interest in school mattovs. In recent years he had not been a member of the board.

Mr T. Bullock said it 'gave mm groat pleasure to attend the gathering and present the flag to the school. He also wished to thank those who had purchased the flag at the fair, which showed that those people were prepared to do their duty to help the wounded soldiers. He hoped tho boys and girls of the school would do all they could to prepare themselves for the" battle of life. He asked them to read good literature and to pay strict attention to discipline, and informed them that he considered they were fortunate in being taught by such capable masters. Ho referred feelingly to the old pupils of the school who had given their lives while fighting for their Empire. He hoped that, victory would soon come to the Allies.' He advised tho boys wlion they left school to keep away from strong drink and to look after' their health. Personally, lie had taken a keen int-erest in the school in the early days, and ho was agreeably surprised to find when looking round the grounds, that the school had such bright surroundings. Great credit was due to the members of the board for various improvements which had been made. Asliburton was favoured in having a good High School with a good County to back it up. Referring,"to the flag, he .said it contained a roll of honour of pupils who had fought for the .Empire, and that space had boon left on the. flag for other names to be added. He hoped tho flag would remind the pupils,of what the old boys liri.fl done in the war. He then handed the flag to Mr W. Anderson (chairman of the Old Pupils' Association), and in doing so, mentioned that'Mr Anderson had done a ■:rr,yi*- rlrviV t-0 keep tllC- old pupils lllterested in the. school. No doubt the pupils present at tho gathering would look forward to the time when they also would become members of the Old Pupils' Association. Cheers were then given for "Sir Bu 1 lock by the pupils.

Mr W. Anderson, on behalf of. the Old Pupils, then presented the flag to the '.school,/ and handed it over to Messrs'G-. I. Miller and M. Wattcfs. He thanked Mr Bullock for having purchased the flag and for presenting ifc to the Old Pupils. He .considered the thanks of the old and present pupils were clue to those men whose names were on the flag. Some of thorn had died so that the Union Jack would still be the emblem of freedom. .Mr Anderson then gave a short history of the origin of the Union Jack. In conclusion, he said the flag would be a most precious trift to the school. " He then asked those present to sta,nd in honour of those pupils whoso names wero on the flag.

Cheers wero then given for the Old Pupils' Association. Mr J. Tucker said lie hoped tho boys would profit by the example which had been set them by the old pupils, and that during their lives they would never display the "white feather." It had been mentioned that tho Government should acquire the school for the

Borough school. If this could be done, they had an ideal site for a High School about half a mile distant. He did not think that the Government would be prepared to give back the money spent in improvements on the school and grounds. It would take a good many thousands of pounds to purchase tho school property. He reminded the pupils that they owed a great deal to the Old Pupils' Assciation for the lively interest it had always shown in tho school. Tho association had frequently helped to raise funds for carrying on various sportg at the school.

The' gathering 'concluded by -the singing of the National Anthem. Tho c-crbmonv then 'concluded. .