TRAFALGAR DAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1920, Page 4

TRAFALGAR DAY.

A LOCAL (MUi'ilitATlON. Trafalgar Day was observed at Victoria School yesterday afternoon, when tho children were assembled at tho flagstaff, whence flew the N.Z. Ensign. Over 300 children were present, as well as the teaching staff, and Messrs Shannon (Chairman), Preston, Feddersen, and Bruce representing the School Committee. The Rector (Mr Brunton) stated that at the reguest of tho Canterbury Education Board and the Navy League they had assembled to mark Nelson Day, and the great part the 'British Navy had played throughout history for the supremacy of the British Empire. When our security was in. danger the Navy was there to do its duty for the common defence of the nation. Mr Brunton apologised for tho absence of the Mayor, and called on Air D. ,J. Evans," .President of the Overseas Club, to address the children. Mr Evans said it was a great pleasure to be with thorn on Trafalgar Day. Right down through the years TrafalIgar Day bad been their most cherished historical event, and it had remained an inspiration for all time, for the Navy to emulate. Despite the four crowded years of tho Great War there was no e'vcnt to overshadow Trafalgar, but there was the knowledge that through those busy years the Nelson touch and the Nelson spirit marked the deeds of the British Navy. It stood out as a fact that at no time during tho Great War had the supremacy of the British Navy been challenged • by actual fighting. The few occasions on which the enemy ships ventured out was more for exercise than for fighting, and when hostile fleets were sighted 1 the enemy made away as fast as they could. In the construction of the capital ships of the enemy it was a fact that they carried twice the gun power behind as were fixed in the forepart, so that it could be deducted that the ships were built to run away from their great opponents, the British Navy. At the moment New Zealand was greatly honored in having as its GovernorGcrteral, the great sea captain who had controlled the British Navy throughout the major portion of the Great War. Wherever Admiral Jellicoe went in Lie Dominion the speaker was sure tho Go-vernor-General would receive a cordial welcome because of bis war services, ancl the suggestion was thrown out that when -the time came to unveil the Westland War Aleniorial on Cass Square, His Excellency might he invited to discharge the duty. In'connection with war memorials, < Air Evans went on to suggest to the Chairman and members of tlie School Committee that in connection with the unveiling of tho Roll of Honor at Victoria School, the visit of such a figure in history as Lord Jellicoe would be an admirable occasion to do service to the Honor and memory of those ox-pupils of their school who had served in the Great War. Reverting to Trafalgar Day, Mr Evans spoke of the message conveyed in Lord Nelson’s famous signal which flew from the flagship as the fleet went nto buttle: “England expects that every man 1 will do his duty.” Such a message could be taken to heart in these times of internal unrest and turmoil, If the folk were minded to do their duty to their country by obeying the law and respecting authority, more peaceable and prosperous times would ensue: AH Evans concluded by asking the pupils to carry home with them and afterwards when they went into th e world, the spirit of Nelson’s message, and performing the behest in deed! they would make themselves good and true citizens ’who would be a tower of strength to their great Empire. (Applause).

Mr S. J. Preston, a committeeman, said they all knew what a dangerous thing it was to tackle the business n<t of the British bulldog. When the British bull dog took its grip it was difficult to make it let go. John Bull might be likened t 0 the bull dog, ttpd "'hen lie took a hand in the fray and got his hold, he held on. During the war the British seemed to be fighting everywhere. They were in the thickest of the fray whether it be in France Flanders, Gallipoli, Russia, Balkans or elsewhere—and' they held on to the finish. But it was the blockade imposed by the Navy which hastened peace. They were proud of the Union Jack which stood for all Britain united. When it came to a time of national crisis people did not think so much of money, goods, or even home—it was the flag they stood for, and they wanted to see it maintained unsullied. When Richard Lionheart went forth to Palestine, the opportunity came to him to seize the Austrian flag, and he dragged it in the mud. Later the King had his Opportunity, and Lionheart was seized and thrown into prison because of his insult to the flag. They should always respect their flag through thick and thin. The flag stood for h\w and order, and they should honor it ; and in so doing do their duty to their country as Nelson wished his fighting men to do at Trafalgar over one hundred years ago. (Loud applause). Mr Niven (Secondary School Master) said those present would now be called on to salute the New Zealand Ensign which was their flag. They would do so in l order to show respect to all for which the flag stood, and in so doing would follow Nelson’s order in doing their duty as a reminder of what they owed in service to their country. All present then saluted the flag. Mr Shannon, Chairman of the School Committee was the final speaker, and he sa’id like Nelson’s signal his remarks would be short and to the point. In order to mark Trafalgar Day they would be dismissed for the remainder of the day, while for Monday a full holiday would be granted. (Pronounced applause). Cheers were called foT the speakers and for the British Navy, and the proceedings closed with th c singing of two verses of the National Anthem.