INTERESTING CEREMONY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1918, Page 6

INTERESTING CEREMONY.

"FAREWELT.ING THE FLAGS." Last Friday afternoon a novel but interesting ceremony took place at the Hawera District High School, when 750 pupils of the primary, secondary, and side school "farewelled the unfurled flags" A few days ago the headmaster, Mr C. A. Strack, spoke of the entente cordiale between England and France and of the grand relations between England and the United States of America; and with the view of emphasising and prolonging the kindly feeling between the school children of our allies and the school children of this, the most distant part of the British Empire, the headmaster suggested that small donations be made to purchase flags to exchange with a school in France (Boulogne) and a school in New' York (U.S.A.). A large N.Z. Ensign was held by six small boys in the central hall while nil the pupils marched past at the salute and threw in their contributions, which were more, Mian sufficient to buy two flags; the surplus goes to the French Red Cross. Two N.Z. Ensigns, the best and biggest that could be bought in Hawera, were secured, and these with the Union Jack, Tricolor (France), and Stars and Stripes (U.S.A.). were suspended from the central hall of the school. The National Anthem was sung and Empire and N.Z. flags were saluted. Cheers for King and country were given. "The Marseillaise" (French National Anthem) was sung, and the Tricolor was saluted. "Vive la France" seemed to come quite natural to the scholars. ''Tl|a Star Spangled Banner" was silng and the flag of the Stars and Stripes (U.S.A.) was saluted, followed by more hearty cheers. Elwyn Riley, a pupil dressed in French costume, furled the flag for France, and Sergeant Jones (teacher at Mohoia), who was present on final leave, spoke to the scholars, and said that probably he ■would he leaving with the same ship as the school flag, and when in France he would use every effort to get many Hawera boys to be present in Boulogne at the unfurling of the New Zealand Ensign, presented by the scholars with such loving wishes. A very interested spectator on the stage by invitation was Mr Laurent (01 years), born at Avignon, in South France. He is hale and hearty, and has many grandchildren at school and at the war. Mr Strack is writing to the High Commissioner (Sir Thomas Mackenzie), to Major Bishop, Captains .lohnstone and Ranch, and to Mr Con Strack (Y.M.C.A. Field Secretary), and Messrs Foilen, Sargent, Whittington, Hun-ell. Blair Robertson and many other "old boys" to see \{ arrangements can he made for some to be presentat tilie ceremony of unfurling the flag in I ranee. Star,