DOMINION DAY

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1553, 24 September 1912, Page 8

DOMINION DAY

Dominion Day has little vitality as a' general holiday. ' Yesterday was observed as a holiday by tho banks, insurance, and legal offices, and tho public schools, but everyone else worked as usual. The weather was cool, but fine. There was still a nip of winter in the soft breeze which floated across the harbour, but tho colouring of the hillsides, (he gardens, and the shops was that of springtime. The Mavor (Mr. D. M'Laren) had asked for a display of bunting, and his wish was adequately met. The Town Hall was bedecked with streamers of flags, and the schools, theatres, mercantile houses, an'd shipping all contributed their quote of patchwork colour to.the day.. There was no set plan of observing the spirit, of the holiday in a functional manner, and nothiiig of a distinctive character took place in the city. > A' fair number journeyed By rail to the race, meeting at Otaki, and there was a pood attendance at the Hereteunga Golf Links to witness the final of tho amateur championship. All the theatres were well filled last evening, and there was a good attendance at the Early Settlers Eeunion in tho Town Hall. Advantage was taken of the fact, that yesterday was Dominion Day to hoist the New Zealand Ensign on the new flagpole at the Maranui School. The ceremony was performed by Mrs. Carman, wife of the chairman of. the School Committee. Tho cadets saluted the flag, and. cheers were given for the King, and the National Anthem was sung by the children. The headmaster gave a short address on loyalty, on what tho flag represents, and on tho significance of tho term "Dominion. Tho flagpole—a very good one—was at one time a mast of (.he yacht. Waitangi, .and was erected by Mr. Binder, to/ tho order of the School Committee. It stands in the centre of the school garden, 44ft. clear of tho ground, and supplies the school with tho necessary means of celebrating public occasions. Tho flag was presented by the Education Department, and elforts will now he made to secure a Union Jack and a black and white flag, the school colours. Mr. W. Millar, a member of the School Committee, gave a substantial donation towards the purchase of the nVpole; and this was by n contribution from another memb?r of the School Committee, Mr. TV. UNa»h. Cheers were given for these two donors, for Mrs. Carman, and for the School Committee, who completed the work.