NELSON’S DAY

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 23, 21 October 1921, Page 5

NELSON’S DAY

HONOURED AT WELLINGTON COLLEGE

CADETS REVIEWED BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

THE QUALITIES THAT COUNT

To-day is Nelson’s Day. It was celebrated yesterday at the Boys’ College with a review of the Cadets by His Excellency the Governor-General (Viscount Jellicoe). who was accompanied by Sir It. Heaton Rhodes (Minister - of Defence), Major-General Sir Edward Chaytqr (Commandant of the Forces), BrigadierGeneral Richardson, Colonel Guy Powles, Major Cresswell (principal of the college), and Mr. J. P. Firth (ex-principal). The Cadets looked splendid as they stood steadily to attention in a dozem platoons' (under' Captain Martin Renner) on the upper lawn. They were greatly admired by all those present, probably three or four hundred in all, including many of the boys’ parents and ’’old boys.” After tho review, His Excellency took the salute from a gallant inarch past, the base being the tall flag-pole on the eastern side, of the ground, ton which flew the Union Jack over the college Hag. The march past disclosed all units. These comprised, besides the rifle platoons, units of signallers, stretcher-bearers, artillery and machine-gunners, and a drum and bugle band. The parade over, the Cadets fell-in in close order before the flag, whilst His Excellency spoke briefly und appropriately. . His Excellency, addressing Captain Renner, the officers, and Cadets, said he would like first of all to congratulate them on their appearance on parade and their steadiness in the ranks. ft im could offer a little criticism on the score of appearance, it would be to lower tho left forearm to the horizontal when arms were carried at the slope. Other than that, ha had nothing but praise for the battalion on parade. It was always a pleasure for him to come along and meet the Wellington College boys. He had just had the prtrttege of serf ng them at work, whilst previously it had been a pleasure to meet them at play. In thinking of Nelson Day, he said, they must think of things that were fine and great—of Nelson, of his "band of brothers,” of his officers and men, who did fine things under a great impulse; men Who were, imbued with all the. qualities—courage; self-sacrifice, devotion to duty, patriotism and chivalry. It was for all of them to do honour to those who had done their duty in all generations. It was that thought which should be with them on Nelson s Day. lie did not forget that it was on Nelson’s Day. 23 years ago, that tho First Now Zealand Contingent left for South Africa, or the fine example set by those who took part in that campaign. Those qualities had never been shown better bv New Zealanders than in the late war; and it was to the honour of tho school that many of its ex-students had played an important part in Itnat conflict. One of them was as great as anyone—Colonel Freyberg. If there was one thing to do more than another, it was to emulate the qualities of the bravo and chivalrous who had ' gone before them, and it was those qualities that Colonel Freyberg had shown in tho ,ate Lord Jellicoe added that he had a pleasurable duty to perform, and that was to present Major Cresswell with the medal for long service and efficiency, he having been for over sixteen years a Territorial officer. Finally, tho Gover-nor-General asked that, in honour of the occasion, the boys bo granted a halfholiday. „ , , At the call of Captain Renner, hearty cheers were given for His Excellency, nnd for Major Cresswell. At the request of the Wellington branch of the Navy League (which was well represented) a very fine framed picture of the surrender of the German Fleet was banded by His Excellency to Major Cresswell as a present to the college.

The Mayor has issued an appeal to citizens ami business houses to fly their bunting to-day. •