HOISTING THE FLAGS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1924, Page 4

HOISTING THE FLAGS.

A PICTURESQUE CEREMONY. It i.s a few minutes before eight o’clock oil a fine morning. Fine, but with a touch of frost in the air which make some want to keep on the move. The early morning sun is gliding the tops of the surrounding hills, but the town and waterfront are still in the shadow. On the three cruisers tliero is a scene of quiet activity.

Squalls of marines march in file on to the quarter-deck of each vessel, the squad on the flagship being preceded by the band. Officers in full dress pace up and down the deck. Aloft, standing on the topmost mast, with one hand holding on to the truck itself, clear cut against the morning skv, is seen the figure of a bluejacket. The bandsmen finger their instruments in readiness, the bugler blows the moisture out of his bugle. Each bluejacket from his dizzy pinnacle gazes towards the quarter-deck of the flagship. Everywhere is an air of expectancy. Suddenly from the llagdiip comes the call “Eight o'clock, Sir.” The buglers Mow a sharp call, the marines come to the “Present,” from each mast-head and from the stern of each ship breaks the White Ensign floating over the morning air. while the l niou .lack is broken at the jackstalf at the bow.

Simultaneously the band crashes out the National Anthem, every man above deck stiff at attention. It is the hoisting of the Colours. Then tile “Carry On”—and the Navy’s ilnv. lias begun.