MAIL NOTICES.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1921, Page 2

MAIL NOTICES.

NEW PLYMOUTH. For Auckland, Thames, Rotorua and Waikato districts, per train, daily at 6.15 a.m. Per Rarawa, Tuesday and Friday, at 7 p.m. For Wellington and South Island, per train, dally at 6.15 a.m. For Wanganui and district; also Napier, Wairarapa, and Manawatu districts. Per train, daily at 6.15 a.m., and 11.45 a.m. For Wanganui and intermediate offices, per train, daily at 6.15 a.m., 11.45 a.m., and 3.30 p.m. For Gisborne and district, per train, daily at 6.15 a.m. For Hawera and intermediate offices, per train, daily at 6.15 a.m., 11.45 a.m., and 3.30 p.m. For Opunake and interunediate offices, ner motor car, daily at 6.15 a.m. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22. For Australia, South Africa, Egypt, India, China, Japan, and Straits Settlements (per Ulimaroa from Auckland), at 6.15 H. BREE, Chief Postmaster. MOTUNUI SCHOOL PRESENTATION OF NAVY LEAGUE FLAG.

Occasion was taken on Friday last, at Motunui school, by the Wellington branch of the Royal Navy .League, for the presentation (at the annual sports and picnic gathering) by Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., of the flag to the school. The day was a gala one, and despite the very wet state of the fore,noon many parents and friends of the school assembled by noon. The children went through some very pleasing physical drill exercises, flagmarch ing, and club swinging, that was much appreciated by the onlookers, and reflected great credit on their teacher, Mrs. Read. The younger scholars, ably trained by the assistant teacher (Miss Gilliver), did very pretty dumb'-bell exercises to piano accompaniment, played throughout by Miss Hannah Edwin. A pretty tableau Britannia (Ada Morrison), supported by Master Farquhar (sailor) and Master Riley (soldier), added a pleasing touch to the ceremony. During the singing of “Red White and Blue” four boys formed up the Union Jack with flags.

The new flag saluting ceremony given in the Education Gazette was used throughout, the boys and girls responding individually, then the children together, the whole being interspersed by patriotic singing. Mr. Morgan, Mayor of Waitara, then addressed the scholars in an inspiring manner, reminding them of their duty as citizens of the Empire and members of the Navy League. Mr. Cole (chairman of the school committee) then introduced Mr. Jennings, M.P., who, in a happy speech, congratulated the scholars on (heir appearance. He recounted many episodes of his late trip to the Motherland—a trip that must at all times remind one of the fleet’s importance and greatness. While lying of! Gallipoli, where were met together warships of the Turks, Greeks. Americans, etc., three great grey monsters flying the British flag told him silently of the great strength of our navy. At the conclusion of his remarks Mr. Jennings, on behalf of the Navy League, presented' the flag to Mrs- Read (head teacher of the school). -In a very appropriate little speech Mrs. Read expressed her great pleasure in accepting the flag on behalf of the school. She also thanked Mr. Jennipgs for his coming up from Wellington to present the flag. Mrs. Read then called upon Mr. Jennings to hoist the flag while the children sang the National Anthem. The Rev. Laurence, of Waitara, then addressed the scholars briefly on the historv of the navy. After the ceremony, afternoon tea was dispensed amongst the visitors, who, after the sports had been gone through, left about five o’clock, all expressing thankfulness that the rain had kept off so kindly. A dance was held in the school in the evening.