Peace Commemoration.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7318, 11 June 1902, Page 3

Peace Commemoration.

7his morning the first distribution of j eace commemoration cunt.1; on Vvisnlf uf the local committee was mule by Jit Fred. J'iraiu", M.ff.l.'. Tii3 c:i*U~v;cv,: lithographed by Mr A. I). Willis, and some additions have been tastefully printed by Messrs Buiek and Young. The card lias on it representations of the. late Queen, Earl Koberts, and General "Redrew Duller, the three besieged Generals, White, Baden-Powell and Kekcwick, Colonel iiobm, officer in charge of the first New Zealand Contingent, and the flags of Great Britain amllsuw Zealand. On iho urn is the welcome legend, "Peace signed May 31st 1902, ' and also printed on the card is tho following : -"In commemoration of i mw» ?"£ viutori<*-—War began on lith October, 1890.—War pvoyed our Imperial unity.'1 The dates of the principal events of the war are given, and the times o£ departure of the inherent Sew Zealand Contingents, and besides the name of Henry Jluydon, tuairman of the PcaueCommittee, is the following well-known verso : —

Britain's myriad voices call, Sons be welded one and nil, Into one Imperial whole : One with Britain, heart and soul: Ono life, one flag, one (leet, one tlirone, Britons hold their own. The first visit was paid to College-street fcehool, the Eev. C.C. Harper, Chairman ot tho Committee, takinc charge of the function. Tho children were assembled m the quadrangle for the ceremony, -me l{ e7 . }£ r H arper explained the object of the visit, statin? that though peace had becu expected over two years ago, the actual declaration had not taken Place till last week and they had theretore decided to distribute the cards commemorating the event as soon as possible. He added a few words in justification of the war, pointing out that it had been undertaken, not to make the isrilish nation rich, bat mainly on account of the black races of Africa, liiey wished to help the Kaffirs to be "aPPy. good and prosperous, and to know and fear God. They did not wish to take the lands ot the natives, but merely to educate them and train them in (lie way God designed they should go This was the great task the British imfi'mi had to perform, lie reminded Ihe boys and girls present that, as English men and women, they were able (o do good or evil as their inclinations led them and urged them to choose the former course.

Miss Stitley, a lady engaged in medical work iv connection with the Indian missions, who is at present on a visit to Palmerston, was introduced to the children by Mr .Harper, and made a few ren.arks, referring to tiie intense loyalty of the millions of people in our Indian Empire. Tin- native regiments were all anxious (o take a part in the war ami the children in the schools were thoroughly loy:il. And {his w;is because they believed fn.m their i-r-I'ei'ience that England would not undertake a war unless there was just cause for it. She had no doubt but that in years to come the Kaffirs would bless England for having undertaken and en fried to a satisfactory conclusion the war in South Africa. In conclusion she hoped the Boers and natives would all become as loyal as the races of India. (Applause).

Mr F. I'iiYini. in handing over the cards to Mr Gray, referred'to the fact that some people thought the Boers would retain enmity and ill-feeling towards 'the British people and detest them because they were the conriuerors, but one excellent trait in the British character was the willingness, after a bitter but fair tisht, to shake nands mid be friends with an opponent. In this instance they felt sure this would be the case an I that nothing but good feeling would prevail Jle took great pleasure in handing them, on behalf of the Peace Celebration Committee, something to remind 1 hem of the greatest war of modern times and of the fact that peace had been proclaimed, while they were at school.

At the instance of Mr Gray, the headmaster, the scholars sang a verse of the National Authora and gave cheers for the Flag and for tho 'speakers. The cards were llien distributed by the teachers.

At 11 oYlock. Mr Pirani. accompanied by the Rev. Father Tymon--. visited tho Convent School, kept "by the Sisters of Mercy, where about 1-10 children are attending. On arrival there, Mr Pirani was presented with a pretty buttonhole by one of the pupils. The rev. father introduced the subject, and explained to the children the object of the visit. Referring to Mr Pirani, he said they flere proud to have him at the school, as ho had proyed that he not only took an interest in the State schools with which he v,as associated, but had rendered considerable assistance to the Sisters in connection with educational matters.

Mr Pirani Ui.cn explained to the children that the Peace Committee desired to give them something to remember the great struggle for freedom which had taken place in South Africa, so that they would be able lo point in tho future to the date from which civil and religious liberty was accorded to all who lived in that part of tho work), ile pointed out that like boys who were jio worse friends for having had a gnod stand-up fight, it would be found that the overtures made by the British after tV proclamation of peace svouid result iv mutual feelings of respect and esteem prevailing.

After each pupil had received a card, me children, under the elirection of Sister Augustine, sang several choruses capitally, their musical voices and evident interest iv the task having :i very pleasing effect. A verso of the National Anthem was sung by all, and to commemorate tho occasion the rev. father distributed lollies throughout the school.

Before leaving, Mr Pirani expressed his pleasure at tho satisfactory appearance of the schoolroom and the order and discipline obtaining throughout. Ho also said the children ought to be proud of their school building, which was one of the best appointed in the colony, and for which he was told thov had to thank the energy of the Rev. Father Tymons.

On behalf of the Sisters, tho Rev. Father Tymons thanked Mr Pirnm and the Peace Committee for their courtesy, and the function terminated with three cheers.

Messrs Wood, Haydon and Pirani Jiire undertaken the distribution of the pence commemoration cards to the schoolchildren of tho district. Tho teachers in (lie schools will be communicated with and a convenient day arranged for each. The schools have been allotted as follows :—Mr Haydon —Terrace End, Colylon, Kindergarten, l.'rnven School (Miss Eraser), Collegiate School (Mr Archibald), Carow School (Mr Blaramborg), High School. Mr _W: ood—Campbell street, Kelvin Grove, Stonoy Creek, Ashliurst, Hiwinui, liuiinythoipe, Fitzlierbert East, Linton, .!v_!iiranga, Jackeytown, Longburn, Tin'lea, Pohangina. Mr Pirani—Upper and Lower TV.oimi, Awahuri, Eongotea, Taikores, _Oroua Bridge, Tokomaru. llit- High School distribution has been isxcd for to-uiorvpw morning.