Empire Day.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 368, 28 May 1903, Page 4

Empire Day.

At the Alexandra School, on Monday, Empire Day was inaugurated as a public school holiday in a fitting and becoming manner. The children, accompanied by the teaching staff, assembled in strong force, there being about 150 present, and gathered round the flagstaff. On the hoisting of the Union Jack, three ringing cheers were given for the Flag, which ww duly saluted. Mr Gloss, the headmaster, address-, ing'the children, said that the Premier of the Oolony deemed it incumbent on the colonists of New Zealand to commemorate by a public holiday the memory of our hte beloved sovereign, Queen "Victoria. Hence it was proposed to call the 24th of May Victoria Day; but this name hot, for good reasons, proving acceptable, it. was changed to Empire Day! This name amplifies the unification of the Empire, which took place during the Boer War. At that time New Zea- . land gave of her best and bravest in upholding the honour of the Motherland from which we sprung. Mr Closs impressed on the children the greatness of the Anglo-Saxon race as a colonising people, and urged on them to be true to the traditions of-the rabe and ever to bear in mind that wherever the flag floated it was the emblem of peace, justice and freedom. The proceedings were closed by the children singing " God Save the King " and giving three cheers for the King. Mr Gloss apologised for the unavoidable absence of the chairman of the School Committee.