ANZAC DAY AT PETONE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2742, 10 April 1916, Page 3

ANZAC DAY AT PETONE

EXCHANGE OF FLAGS.

The Petone Railway Workshops' staff will hold a function on Aiizac Day [ (April 25), which is unique in the history of the Dominion—the unfurling of the flag of the Commonwealth of Australia; On. the same day and at the same time, the Hornsby Railway staff, New South Wales, will unfurl the Now Zealand flag. ' The idea of oxchange of flags originated with Guard T. Stone, of the Hornsby. Railway staff. It is the custom of the Hornsby staff to givo their men' whefi'leaving with the Expeditionary Forces a suitable send-off, also to have the flags of the Allies flying. There was one flag that was missing—that of New Zealand. Mr. Stone I set out to get this flag, and placed his views before . the Hornsby 1 Railway staff, which agreed to his scheme for securing . the ' flag. Mr. Stone' communicated with Mr. Hiley, General Manager of New Zealand Railways', placed his scheme before him, and asked for his assistance. Mr. Hiley was very impressed with the ' idea, and selected Petono Workshops .as the depot to carry out the wishes of the staff ut Horlisby. A -mass meeting of the staff of the Petone. Workshops unanimously decided to support the scheme, and arrangements were left •in the hands of the Petono Workshops Patriotic Committee. The committee has jits arrangements; well 'in hand', to mako the function a success. A new flagpole ,61ft. from the ground has been erected on a site by tho railway station. The fence around tho pole will be,of unique design, and the ground will bo planted with various shrubs, and should in time be a beauty spot for the town. The New Zealand flag, presented by the men of the workshops, has been forwarded to Mr. Stone, who wrote by return mail"The flag" arrived in good order. The Hornsby staff is pleased 'with the very fiiio flag, and I am delighted to think my scheme is going to be a -great success.. By , tho presence of tlie New Zealand flag we are unjtcd- in. tlie bond of good fellowship." ' The Commonwealth flag l arrived last week and is a fine specimen. The New Zealand flag to be used at the unfurling ceremony lias been presented by the Railways Department, and the Union Jack has been' presented by the of the Workshops, Railway Station, and Petone Stores Department. The three flags are each 20ft. by 10ft. They have been made by Messrs. Tregear and King, of the workshops trimmers' department, and are notable examples of good workmanship. Invitations have been accepted by the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, the Hon. W. H. Hemes, and other members of the Cabinet; Mr. T. M. AVilford, M.P., Mr. Hiley (General Manager,' N.Z.R.), the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke) and councillors, the Maypr of Patone (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) and councillors, and the Mayor of Lower Hutt (Mr. H. Baldwin) and councillors, and their lady friends are also to be invited to attend the ceremony, which takes place at 3.30 on Anzac Day. The Petone School children, to tho number of 1100, under the direction of Mr. Foster, head master of the District High School, will take a prominent part in tho function.