AN INCIDENT IN THE VOYAGE OF THE FRIEDEBURG.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 306, 11 September 1875, Page 2

AN INCIDENT IN THE VOYAGE OF THE FRIEDEBURG.

, (From the Napier Telegraph.) On the sth of June, the ship Friedeburg presented a lively appearance. It was the anniversary of the day on which the Danes obtained a Constitution from the King, who had up to that time been an autocrat. All the flags ou board the ship were put into requisition, and the best ensign of the ship—for a German keeps a Sunday ensign and a weekday ensign, just like Sunday and weekday clothes—was, after much entreaty, obtained for the day. The pretty Danish colours, white and red, were brought into favor, and the girls decorated their hair with pretty red ribbons. The french flag and' the Danish flags supported the new German ensign on either side, and, on the suggestion of the doctor,. a place was found for the English flag,—but not without some growling, for Denmark has not yet forgotten the role England played in 1864.—Over the hospital was suspended the “ Danebrog,” or Daiiish flag, red, with a white cross. The flag which is supposed to have fallen from heaven, is a subject of great veneration among the Danes. At three p.m., a deputation of all the male Scandinavians came on the poop, the schoolmaster addressed to the Captain and doctor some hearty words of thanks. The doctor hereupon in answer said “My friends.—lt gives me and Captain Kqpper great pleasure to see you hero united for the purpose of commemorating the anniversary of your Constitution. The love of your country is a good and noble passion, and if you are fond of your native land, that proves to me that you are good citizens and good men. I too will, with all my heart, cry out, ‘ Long live old Denmark.’ But now I invite you to turn your eyes to the South, to your new Fatherland, a land fairer by far than your smiling Banish valleys in which, according to your poets, the birds sing over the graves of your heroes, where violets smile in the fields, and maidens in the houses. The people you will .live among are partly descended from the ancient Danes and Norsemen, who crossed the sea in the warthips. A Danish Princess will one day ..be your Queen, and her children your Kings. The religion under which you will worship is the same Protestant faith of your fathers,—and the Constitution under which you will live is the mother of a[l free Constitutions in the world. I propose then to give one cheer for old Denmark and King Christian IX; another for England and Queen Victoria ; and a third for New Zealand, the home of your adoption, the field of labour for your children.” The cheers were loudly given. In the evening patriotic speeches were made and national songs were sung, and, after an interval for festive tea and. cakes, the day was concluded by dancing. At sunset, according to the regulations, the festivities ended. They had been throughout conducted in a most orderly manner.