LEQUESNOY-HONOURS NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 52, 26 November 1918, Page 5

LEQUESNOY-HONOURS NEW ZEALAND

A PICTURESQUE CEREMONY; (Special Dispatch from the New Zealand War Correspondent.) November 18. The civic authorities at Le Quesnoy have presented the General Commanding the, Eifle Brigade witli the first' flag hung in the Grande Place after the entry of the New Zealanders into the town, as a' memento of their deliverance by Die valiant soldiers of his brigade, in return the General has handed to the Maj"or and councillors a New Zealand flag. ' , '

There was a picturesque ceremony at the presentation, whicli took place in the hall of the town, which had suffered from shell-fire during the battle. The Genera! said he wished to hand them this flag to commemorate the liberation of the. town, and as a mark of the New Zealanders' appreciation of their courage, loyalty, and endurance throughout the wliole period of the war. At the conclusion of his address the Mayor pdibraced him and k'issed the flag amid the cheers of those assembled.

In returning thanks the Mayor 'aid the council at its meeting the previous day had already taken the initial steps to have tho New Zealand fernleaf badge included in the coat of arms of. the town and to have one of {he principal streets named after New Zealand.

Tho General has also asked the council to accept from tho New Zealand Division three German guns captured during the Battle o,f Lo Quesnoy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.