EMPIRE DAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2090, 27 May 1907, Page 2

EMPIRE DAY.

United Press Association —Copyright

SYDNEY, May 25.

Messrs. Bruce Smith and H. Kelly, members of the Assembly, in their Empire Day speeches urged the necessity of continuing the naval subsidy. Professor Jordan, President if the Leland Stanford University if Californa, who is visiting Australia, delivered the first of a series of lectures at the University! MELBOURNE, May 25.

It is estimated that 170,000 children participated ill the Empire Day celebrations. > > NORFOLK ISLAND, May 25.

The Empire Day functions consisted of unfurling the flag /by. /the Chief Magistrate in the presence of school children and adults, a reception, and entertainment of the children at Government House.

Received May 26, 4.54 p.m. LONDON, May 25

Three thousand eight hundred school children participated in the Empire Day rejoicing, which in London and the provinces was unprecedented in enthusiasm and scope. The London Stock Exchange opened its business on Empire Day by singing the National Anthem.

Press Association.

DUNEDIN, Friday.

The fine muster of cadets at the Triangle this afternoon, the large assemblage of citizens, and tlie tone of the proceedings point unmistakably to the fact that Empire Day is a thing which, as far as Dunedin is concerned, is not going to die out. The Mayor’s request to citizens to display flags was almost universally complied with by the business houses in the city, while shipping in port hung out their best array of bunt-' ing. During tlie morning two handsome wreaths were placed on the Queen’s statue, one on behalf of the Victoria League and the other bearing the card of Mr. and Mrs. John Roberts and the Misses Roberts. In the afternoon, when the school children arrived, the monument was literally covered with flowers. Tlie brigade of cadets was a lengthy procession. A rough estimate of the number of cadets present was about 800 or 900.

The Mayor said they wanted to show to their enemies and to tlieir friends that they were a united and loyal people to the King and to the Empire. They did not want to do it in a boastful or bragging spirit, but they would show their belief that the Empire to which they were proud to belong made for freedom, the liberty, and tlie advancement of mankind. He did not doubt tlie cadets would follow in tlie footsteps of tlieir forefathers, and do all they could to uphold the honor and integrity of tlie British flag. , , The brigade then presented arms, while the Union Jack was hoisted to the masthead, the Garrison Band playing a verse of tlie National Anthem. The Garrison Band and cadets then marched by way of Prin-cess-street to the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial, in the Southern Oval, where they were drawn up on tlireo sides of a hollow, square round the flagstaff erected away at the rear of the monument, and two companies of high school cadets fired a salute. Tlie troops gave three cheers, and afterwards took up a position close to tlio monument, which was beautifully decorated with wreaths, Major Jackson placing the last one oil, with tlie words, “To tlie memory of our fallen comrades.” Lieut.-Colonel Smith, addressing the cadets, said the most important tiling was to learn liow to shoot, which could only he attained by hard , practice. This country would belong to them in time, and unless they could defend it, it would be taken from them, probably by a colored race. If girls and women would refuse to recognise any boy unless he prepared himself to defend his country, the difficulties of Volunteering would disappear, and there would be no talk of compulsory service. The cadet buglers then gave a bugle call, and the troops marched to the Southern cemetery to place a wreath on the grave of the late Lieutenant Boyer, V.C., and to hear an address by Chaplain. D. Dutton. WELLINGTON, Saturday.

At the Empire Day celebrations the Mayor presented the Humane Society’s bronze medal and certificate to Jas. P. McGarrigle, for rescuing a man named Houghton from drowning in tlio Waikato River on December 15.