PAGES FROM THE PAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1921, Page 9

PAGES FROM THE PAST.

THE TARANAKI MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS. PRESENTATION OF COLORS. J (By “Juvenis.”) To-morrow (Sunday) an interesting ceremony takes place at St. Mary’s Church. New Plymouth, when the Bishop of the Diocese (the Rev. Dr. Averill) will formally unveil and dedicate the roll of honoi* in memory of the men from St. Mary’s who gave their lives in the War. At the same time the Biishop will present to the church the flag which accompanied the Taranaki company of the 2nd Battalion of the Wellington Infantry Regiment through France.

This event revives memories of another very interesting ceremony which took place in New Plymouth in the days of long ago, when the flag which is still in. St. Mary’s, ragged and frayed a little, but still a flag, was presented to the Taranaki Militia and Volunteers by Lady Warre. wife of Sir H. J- Warre. then Colonel of the 57th Regiment. The ceremony took place on Poverty Flat, near where the Technical school now stands, on June 25, LSol, and the story can appropriately be retold to-day.

The flag was the work of the ladies of New Plymouth, many of whom, by the way. had often spent sleepless nights and anxious moments whilst awaiting news of their dear ones in the fighting that took place in the district.

For twelve months the civil forces, in conjunction with the militia, had been engaged in trying to suppress the native insurrection, and although the Maoris had great losses, the Europeans did not pass off scathless. Many on both sides were killed, besides numbers being wounded. However, by January. 18fil, the Waitara natives been subdued, and they agreed to lay down their arms and submit to the Queen’s authority; but the southern rebels declined either to accept or refuse the terms offered them by the Governor, intimating that they would ayyait the result o-f a conference going on in the Waikato. Although hostilities were suspended, martial law continued in force. The Militia and Volunteers in no way had tfieir duties relaxed, but were still called upon to take part with the military in doing “Sentry-go” and in otherwise assisting in the defence of the town.

The local forces having shown considerable bravery and in the different engagements with the Maoris, it was not surprising that the ladies of the district should wish to reward the gallant fellows by presenting them with banners. It was intended to have presented the colors on Waterloo day (June IS), but the weather was wet and boisterous at the time, and so the ceremony was deferred till the first fine day afterwards. This did not occur till June 25, 1801, when the militia and volunteers were mustered on Poverty Flat which then formed the Military Parade ground. The 57th Regiment and detachments of the Royal Artillery and engineers also assembled, and the whole were formed into three sides of a

square. Lady Warre arrived on the ground with the Superintendent (Major Charles Brown). Colonel Warre, who was in command o-f the Imperial troops in Taranaki, being already present. The colors were in charge of Sergeant W. H. Free, of the Volunteers, and Sergeant J. Donnolly, of the Militia, who placed them in front of the Brigade with the drums belonging to the Taranaki regiment of Militia. A guard of four men and a sergeant of the 57th Regiment was also' placed over them. Everything being in readiness for the ceremony, the Ven. Archdeacon Govett proceeded to bless the. flags, reciting several prayers appropriate to the occasion. The ’colors were then brought to

Lady Warre. who in her turn presented them to Ensign Messenger (Militia) and Ensign Jonas (Volunteer), both kneel ing down to receive them. Lady Warre then read an address, in which she said the ladies of Taranaki desired them to accept the colors as i token of their grateful and affectionate interest, and deep sense of their bravery and devotion. After reminding the corps that the colors of a regiment were considered as a pledge of their faith and allegiance to the queen and country, to be honored and preserved as a sacred duty, and to be defended to the last at the cost of life itself, she said she sympathised in the misery which the late unhappy struggle with the Maoris had brought upon many in the district, and concluded by ottering in her name and Colonel Warre’s their beas wishes for theii? future welfare and success. Major Herbert, who was in charge of the Civil forces, in replying, said he felt honored at haying to address a lady of her position and accomplishments, adding that the colors were in as good keeping as if locked up in the Tower of London. He then proceeded to give a brief sketch of the deeds of gallantry performed by the militia and volunteers. He referred to the fight at Waireka, where the civil forces were for the first time under fire, and held their ground, though surrounded by a savage and well-armed enemy, repelling the storm from all quarters until darkness covered their retreat. AVhen the picked natives of the Waikato tribes established themselves at Mahoetahi on November 6, ISGO, and threatened the very existence of General Pratt and the soldiers, and declared they would drive them into the sea, the militia and volunteers stormed the heights and took the pah, and shoulder to shoulder with a company of the 65th Regiment effectually routed the enemy, killing the leader, Taiporutu, and taking prisoner his son Henri, who was severely wounded. He went on to say that

on other occasions too numerous >to mention they also distinguished themselves. Major ’Herbert concluded by saying that from the experience he had had he was sure the militia and volunteers would never disgrace their colors, and whatever tneir future destiny or career within the province of Taranaki, whether it was to subdue the rebel natives, or repel an invasion on their shores, they would always do their duly as true .Engl'shmcn, and their motto would be to a man tn “conquer or die. ’ . . The escort then took up a position on either side of the colors, but slightly in the rear of the officers. Ensigns Jona? and Messenger. The band playing Save the Queen,” and afterwards “Rule Britannia.” They marched down Hie rank's of the Taranaki regiment, and having reached their place, halted. Colonel WArre called for three cheers for the Queen, ind for the/ Militia and Volunteers of Taranaki, and their new colors, which was responded to and were followed bv cheers for Colonel and Lady Warre and the 57 th Regiment. Ims brought the ceremony to a close. _ The colors are of thick silk richly embroidered. The Volunteer flag is biack. and has the union in the fly witn St George’s Cross in crimson. There is .«lso a green wreath with orange-colored

blossoms, and a yellow regal crown above the centrepiece, which exhibits a view of Mount Egmont embroidered in green and white upon a crimson field. This badge is placed in the centre of the St. George’s Cross, beiijg encircled by double rows of silver cord, between which the words “Taranaki Volunteers” are inscribed. The word “Waireka” is also worked in the same letters as the name of the corps. The Militia flag is nearly a fac simile of the Volunteers’, the only difference being the name of the corps, and that the ground work is dark blue, and there is no St. George’s