NELSON DAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1919, Page 1

NELSON DAY.

CELEBRATED AT STATE SCHOOL The scholars were assembled at the Public School yesterday afternoon at 3 ' o'clock under the. Rector and Staff, and wore addressed by the Mayor, Chairman of the School Commiteee, and others in respect to the celebration of the anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar. The Rector, (Mr Brunton), spoke : briefly by way of introducing the. speakers, the first of whom was Mr G. A. Perry. The Mayor referred to, l tho importance of thp ocean highway to , Great Britain, it being the high road linking up the far-flung Empire. He spoke of the deeds done in the past to secure the freedom of the seas, and the gallantry with which the men of the British Navy had carried on. Mr D. J. Evans, President of the Overseas Club, referred to the three cardinal points of Trafalgar. The first was Nelson’s' immortal signal “England expects every man to do liis duty,” the second was the death of Nelson who passed away in a blaze of glory which had left ,a. halo round his personality for all time, and the third was the naval victory which

made England mistress of the seas, and gavo the navy the power and prestige since enjoyed. Mr R. Wild, Chairman of the Har- ! hour Board, urged the scholars to rc- , tain the substance of the addresses giv- ' them that day ,and to go l out into life prepared to carry out the lesson. The •British owed the great naval victory to the superior discipline which marked the conduct of tho British Navy. The pay in those far-off days was. trifling . and the men were gathered together by the.press gang. But they were trained . to respect their officers, and to this : ■well laid, discipline they owed their. . great victory. |

Mr A Aitken, Chairman of the. School Committee, emphasised what had been said about Nelson’s signal. They all had their duty to do, and it was ex- ( peeted of them that they should respect j law and order, and constitutional ah- ; thority. Without that respect and ad j herenee they would as a nation fall to ; pieces. Before closing Mr Aitken pre-, seated four prizes presented by J. Preston for essays on the British ( Navy, founded on an address given by j Lieut. Shannon, who lately spoke at. the school on his war experiences. J The prize winners were:Misses Wild; and Myra Mclntosh; Masters Park and : Class..'The recipients of the rewards, were applauded heartily. j Under the direction of Mr Niven of i the High School, the assemblage then j saluted the flag, and the National An- | them was sung. Cheers were given foi ( the British Navy and also for Mr j Preston the donor of the prizes. \ i Tho school was then dismissed, and , it is intended to observe a holiday on Monday next. , i