EMPIRE DAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2089, 25 May 1907, Page 2

EMPIRE DAY.

local celebrations.

Empiro Bay was celebrated quietly, a largo number of townspeople availing themselves of the opportunity for picnicking and outdoor exorcises. "With the exception of a sliowor at midday the weather was beautifully lino and warm and highly suitablo for outdoor excursions. There was a fair attendance at the Domain to witness two hockey matches. The reason oi the holiday was clearly brought undei the notice of the school children bj the coremonies conducted.

GISBORNE SCHOOL.

The teachers took tlio children in hand and gavo lessons on “Patriotism.” The Rev. Grant addressed the scholars on tlio subject of “Empiie” on the lines of tlio Governor’s speech at the school’on Thursday morning. An open-air demonstration was held by the children, and the cadets under Cajitains Wauchop, Cowan and Olsen, paraded and saluted tho Union Jac The National Anthem was sung and the children dispersed for tho holidays.

MANGA PAPA SCHOOL.

A good number of parents attended at the Mangapapa school demonstration. Amongst those present were the Hon. Capt. Tucker, Rev L. Dawson Thomas, lieutenunt-Colonel Winter, Capt. Warren, Messrs. Grundy Goldsmith and M."McLeod (chairman of the school committee). The ' latter made an appropriate speech on the subject of the day. The Rev. Dawson Thomas took tho

word “Empire” as his subject and treated it as an acrostic. Ho dealt

particularly with patriotism and spoke in a strong patriotic spirit. He made a point that the children should hold up tlio ideal of emulating somebody, for instance a great general of our empire or some noble woman. Concluding, bo wished , tho children a happy holiday and hoped they would come back more than ever disposed to work so far as they were able for the welfare of the Empire.

The Hon Capt. Tucker referred to the privileges which the children oi Australasia enjoyed and lie was quite sure that they would also realise their responsibilities. It was just two years since he had been in that room and he noticed the marked growth in the school. He hoped they would not forget him when the prize time cairn round—his pocket was at their disjiosal. He trusted that it would not be another two years before ho was with them again. Lieut.-Col. Winter spoko on nobh lives and said the recital of these should spur the children on to copy them as far as they could. He instanced the late Premier of New Zealand. He also spoke on the cadet movement. He rejoiced to see so many wearing the King’s uniform. Capt. Warren spoke in a humorous strain and said he regarded the missionary as being hand and glove with the soldier in extending Britain’s welfare. He also touched upon the bravery of the Scotch, Welsh and Irish portions of the Empire and dealt with the marvellous growth of the colonial power of Britain. Mr. Gouldsmith proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the visitors. Mr. Grundy seconded and it was carried unanimously. . After the speeches Mr. McLeod presented book prizes to the writers of the best essays on the visit to the Exhibition, the winners being A. Foster, K. Henson and A. Gordon.

Mr. McLeod also exhibited a medallion from the copper of Nelson's “Victory.” The proceedings closed with ■ the singing of the National Anthem and three cheers for the King.

Press Association—Copyright.

MESSAGE FROM MR. DEAKIN. Received May 24, 10.19 p.m. LONDON, May 24.

Mr. Dea'kin lias sent the following message to the Standard:—“Empire Day should arouse all British peoples to our responsibilities, which are as vast as our domains. We have a new Empiro in the making and it is wo who are making it, though its evolution is proceeding slowly. AVe have imperfectly realised the nature or the growth of its greatness. It was emerging by degrees from under the shadow of the Empires of old—barbarous or despotically aggressive’. AA 7 e are only now becoming able -to see it in the light of its own ideals, human, ethical and civilising. AVitli these we are supplanting the ancient lust of rule and substituting peaceful self-development in liberty under law, while the sceptre of the Empire extends protection and justice to scores of millions of its subjects of other races. It induces with motherly affection to retain with brotherly loyalty true family life amongst its own kin.”

Their self-governments were still in course of adjustment to local cirI cumstances, and, continuing-to readI just themselves to the grave necessikties of modern times, will gradually expand into a free, flexibjej, national organisation, applicable to the Empire as a whole. There were no precedents for this bold endeavor, and the processes required to bo, wisely I chosen and well tested, but by mutual aid, patience, forbearance, and strenuous efforts towards integration, they might yet attain a unity of influence commensurate to the height and breadth of achievement still open to this Empire Day. Then follows Dr. Jameson’s message, giving warning against the danger of losing the heritage of all to unite Britain and the growing oversea nationalities on organised, * durable bases. He finally offers its best wishes for a .united Empire—united in bonds of sentiment and strengthened material ties, resting upon mutual concessions and mutual obligations.

EXTENSIVE OBSERVANCE AT HOME.

Received May 24, 11.58 p.m. LONDON, May 24. oiiTnxrW, . .W»'lsodu»t?»tusApd throughout the United Kingdom took part m the ceremony of saluting the flag to-day.

IN THE CANADIAN CAPITAL. Received May 24, 11.58 p in . OTTAWA, May 24. Empire Day was observed in the Ontario schools yesterday. Twentyfive thousand school children participated in a procession at Toronto. hey decorated the Queen Victoria monument in Queen’s Park.

OBSERVANCE IN SYDNEY. Received May 24, 11.21 n. m SYDNEY, May 24. There was fine weather for the Em- | pire Day celebrations, which were general throughout the State. The day is steadily gaining in popularity. In the city the shipping was gaily decorated, and badges were everywhere m ovidencc. Appropriate speeches were given by leading citizens. The school gatherings were most imposing, being a combined demonstration by - 2500 children at Victoria Barracks, General Gordon and others de-

livering patriotic addresses. An interesting ceremony was the handing I over of a flagstaff and il;i/g presented j to tile city by the Women’s Branch of-the Empire League, and erected On a reserve in Macquarie-place, at the spot where the first proclamation of British possession was made. The Lord Mayor and Sir Francis Suttor made historic speeches. The Royal Exchange observed the occasion with the usual enthusiasm. The addresses were permeated with the Empire spirit. Throughout the day and night bands stationed in various

parts of the city rendered patriotic selections, groat crowds viewing 1L illumination of the Queen’s bL* ue, somo of the public buildings, and m warships. Empiro Day was widely and enthusiastically übsorved in other States.

CELEBRATIONS ELSEWHERE-

Press Association. ~a ■ AUCKLAND, yesterday

Empire Day is being observed as a public holiday. After the heavy ram last night, the weather is fine.. The events included a parade of veterans, and volunteer military tournament. The public schools celebrated the" occasion by saluting the flag and listening to patriotic addresses.

AVANGANUI, yesterday. Empire Day was not observed as a holiday by retailers, but wholesalers and offices closed. Tho principal at-1 traction was the second day of the AVanganui Jockey Club’s winter meeting. The school children celebrated the occasion yesterday, when the flag was saluted, and addresses delivered by the Mayor and member for the district. - The day is fairly fine, with a few showers. AVELLINGTON, yesterday.

Empiro Day is being quietly observed in AVellington. The Government, municipal, and lawyers’ offices and banks are closed, but there is no general holiday. Lord Plunket, m his address, read a cable message from Lord Meath. The message contained the words, “Nelson’s signal. AVELLINGTON, last night.

Empire Day was observed at the city and suburban schools by flagsaluting ceremonies and the delivery of appropriate addresses to the scholars. The Governor and Minister for Education visited the Terraco School a;id spoke briefly to the children. They also presented medals and shields to the squad of cadets who had won the-North Island championship. Lord Plunket said he had that morning received a cablegram from Lord Meath, originator of the Empire Day movement. It contained only two words, “Nelson’s signal” ; but they were enough. The statue of Queen Victoria in Post Office Square has, through the foresight of lady supporters of the Navy League, been decorated to-day with wreaths .of flowers and garlands of greenery. This evening the City Council, assisted by the Navy League, provided a patriotic concert at the Town Hall.

HOKITIKA, yesterday.

The only observance of Empire Day was the ceremony at the school.

CHRISTCHURCH, yesterday

Tho only Empire Day celebration in the city consisted of a of. school cadets, numbering about 350, who assembled in Victoria fequaie and saluted the flag. Short addresses appropriate to the occasion u ere delivered by the Mayor and Mr. Buddo, M.H.R. Beyond this the day was little different from any other week-day. A good number of offices and warehouses closed, but most of the retailers are not making any exception in favor of the day.

ASHBURTON, yesterday

Empire Day was observed as a close holiday. Queen’s weather prevailed. The Citizens’ Demonstration Committee organised a procession in which the volunteers and cadets, returned troopers, brass and pipe bands, friendly societies, school children, and others took part. The procession marched to the Domain, where addresses were delivered to a large assemblage, the principal feature being an address by Mr.. Race, Canadian Commissioner, on “Patriotism and Citizenship.” Tlio Empire Day demonstration was continued by the No-License Council in the afternoon, when a programme of sports was run off, at which Mr. Race, tile Canadian Commissioner, was present. In the evening a mass meeting was held, when speeches were macle by the Rev. Dawson, of AA r ellington, and Mr. A. S. Adams, Dunedin, who traced the NoLicense movement from its commencement, when the people favorable to temperance were in a minority, until now, when, taking the colony throughout, the voting in favor of the abolition of licenses showed a large majority.

DUNEDIN, yesterday,

Most of the public schools met this morning for the purpose of saluting the flag and trooping the colors. In

the afternoon the cadets assembled at the Triangle, when addresses were delivered by the Mayor, Mr. James Allen, M.H.R., Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, and others. Then the cadets marched to the Oval, where Lord Plunket recently unveiled a statue to the soldiers fallen in the South African war. The muddy state of the streets somewhat prejudiced the effect of the proceedings. The weather cleared towards noon, and improved the prospects for the afternoon’s display. The retailers refused to keep the holiday, but will observe June 3rd. •

INVERCARGILL, yesterday

Empire Day is being observed as a general holiday. The pupils at the schools saluted the flag, the volunteers paraded, and speeches were delivered at the rotunda by the Mayor and others. The weather is-file, but the streets are muddy.’