EMPIRE DAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 899, 23 May 1903, Page 3

EMPIRE DAY.

CNFL'BLfXG OF FLAG AT THE GISBORNE SCHOOL.

The ceremony of unfurling the flag took place at the Gisborne School yesterday ultcrnojo, there being a large and representative attendance. Amongst those prefect were His Worship the Mayor (Mr J.

Townley), Mr J. W. Bright (Chairman of School Committee), Messrs Cramond, Humphreys arid File (members of School Committee), Captain Warren and Lieut. Lewis (Lisbon.e Lilies), and Mr Marshall, headmaster of Matawhero School. The pupils assembled in the playground and were .inud up in front of toe flagstaff. Tho school cadets, looking particularly

smart and soldier-like, went through a lllltil her of mami.uvrcs under Captain Kinder. Some iiliic ditliculty was expe-

rienced in unfurling the llag, on account oi the rope breaking just at the critical moment, but Mr (J. Neild came to the rescue, and running up the wires like an expert seaman, he soon had everything in order. After the march past the flag iiad Lakerj place, the school children sang the National -Ynthcm.

In the course of an excellent address, Mr jjiight urged upon the children that they were assembled that afternoon to remember for a few minutes the great

empiru to which they belonged. They w<jfc to try :iml forget lor ;t while the iittie worid in which they lived, and to turn their thoughts to that Empire which, ns they all know, it was their proud boast that on it the sun never sets. Wherever their Hag Hew it was a symbol of liberty, ! uud those who lived under it enjoyed social and religious liberty. It was the flag they had received from their forefathers, who hud fought and bled and died for it, and now their descendants enjoyed that liberty for which their fathers had fought. The children must remember that whilst they enjoyed privileges under this Hug there were also great responsibilities entailed upon them. They should see they did nothing to disgrace the naiao of Britisher or bring disgrace on tbo proud oid flag. If they kept to this principle throughout their lives there would arise from this distant colony a movement which would I bring more strength and powor to the Empire than its strongest fortification. It was tho character and spirit of its men that built up a nation, and it was on their strength that tho Empire must depend and also their righteousness, for it was righteousness alono which exaltoth a nation. (Applause.) His Worship the Mayor made a most appropriate address, in the course of which he stuted that Gisborne was that day lead-

ing the colony, as they were the first to salute the King’s Hag in recognition of Empire Day. Although they were as a rule considered as slow people, they were first, in tho eolony in tho unfurling of the Hag for Monday next, Consulting, His Worship said that the Hag originally represented thu union of Great Britain, but now it represented tho union of the great British Empire, of whieli New Zealand was a very important part. They were privileged to enjoy lifo in a splendid country, amid fine surroundings, and this ought to teach them to do their duty. Tho flagstaff before them had been erected under a Queen, but now the Hug was unfurled under a KingKing Edward VII. Lot them so train themselves that they might bo ready for duty’s call. The responsibilities of Empire were great ; their fleet must bo kept up to the highest pitch ; so must tho army, and the boys bo trained to tako their part in tho duties of life as did their fathers. Tho late Queen, ho said, had given them an extended Empire, and they should not ouly preserve, but extend it. The Mayor concluded by ealliug for three hearty cheers for the King, which were heartily responded to. Gape. Warren also delivered a short address. If the previous speakors had talked right over the children’s heads, he wanted to talk right down to their boots. He wanted to talk to the little hoys, and remind them that they must do their part to assist towards keeping the flag flying. It was only a symbol, but some of tho (most things in tho world were only symbols. Tho flag was only part of themselves. That Hag at Ladysmith had been kept Hying as a symbol that the Boers would not enter it. It had been said that they might get too proud, but they wanted boys to grow up humble and just. In America, where tho same language as their own was used, they had a people talking loudly. Henry Ward Beecher, in describing the British Hag, said that it had a red ground, which meant blood, and it had a cross, which was supposed to mean that they carried salvation with them. Sinco that day America had grown the most bombastic country in tho world, especially since they had knocked in a few candlestick boxes of Spanish warships. They spoke about their naval victory and thought they wore the greatest nation in the world. The boys of New Zealand should not become too proud, but should do their duty manfully and do their utmost to carry goodness, love, and truth throughout tho world. He wished one and all to huve a happy remembrance of the unfurling of tho flag at the school that afteruoou. (Applause.)

Mr Bright reminded tho children of the entertainment on Monday evening, to which all country and town scholars wore invited. Thcro was no charge to bo made to the children. ‘‘All come with smiling faces and clean boots,” concluded Mr Bright, “ and we will give you a good show for two hours.” Tho children wero then dismissed,