DOMINION DAY CELEBRATIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3002, 26 September 1908, Page 5

DOMINION DAY CELEBRATIONS.

PROCEEDINGS AT MASTERTON I DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL. PRESENTATION OP MEDALS. AN INTERESTING CEREMONY. Dominion Day (to-day) was cele brated, for the sake of convenience,by the scholars of the Masterton District High School yesterday, when the medals struck to commemorate the occasion of the colony's re-christen-ing were presented to the children. The proceedings took place in the afternoon in the fine recreation ground attached to the school, which made an excellent open theatre for the rather striking little drama. There was a military aspect about the scene. The large body of scholars attending the school were ranged up in a hollow square around the grounds, and these were flanked by the young "soldiers of the Empire," the High School Cadets, under Captains Haalatii and Bunting. The Headmaster has an eye for effect, and he achieved great success in the layingout of his civilian and military units yesterday. The flag pole was removed from it 3 quarters in another part oi the School grounds to form a centre piece for the Dominion Day celebrations, and when the flag floated gaily at the truck-head it must have aroused some mthusiasm even in the most disbelieving cynic who might be present. AMONG THE ONLOOKERS. \

There were some interesting personages among the spectators. There were veterans present who no doubt felt old memories revived of byrgone days when they, too, were in the expectant age of childhood, little anticipating that in the years intervening between then and to-day tfiey would have served their sovereign and country in the field of battle. There were old settlers there whose battles had been fought in a rather more peaceful arena, where the axe was the weapon, and the mighty forest the foe, and who, perhaps felt that if only in recognition of the achievements of those days ojr country should receive as a diadem the title of Dominion. Among the dignitaries who lent to the proceedings the necessary air of formality were: — His Worship the Mayor (Mr P. L. Hollings), the Chairman of the School Committee (Mr R. Brown), the Chairman of the Trust Lands Trustees (Mr T. B. Michell), Chairman of the Technical School (Mr E. Feist), Captain H. C. Robineon (Masterton Rifles), the Rev. J. N. Buttle and Mr A, W. Chapman (Masterton School Committee). ADDRESSES TO THE CHILDREN. The Chairman .if the School Committee was the first speaker, and in a few brief remarks .Mr Brown explained the object of the ceremony. He said that to-day was the first birthday of the Dominion, and it was an occasion concerning which the peopl i of that Dominion had reato feel piojd, as it meant something more than a mere change of name to New Zealand when the title "Dominion" was conferred by the King. It marked a very important stage in the colony's development, and unJoubtedly tended to raise the status of the country and ita people. He then called upon the Mayor to address the scholars. . . The Mayor gave a stirring address, in which he said it was a great mistake for people to endeavour to belittle the celebrations held to mark Dominion Day. He had no sympathy whatever with persons who, after the graat things that had been accomplished in so young a country, made light of a substantial recognition of those achievements ' in the conferring of a new and honourable title on our country. It was as idle to do this as it was'to criticise the wisdom of conferring titled honours upon a deserving statesman or warrior. Mr Hollings .said he thought that a sad lack of patriotic pride would be shown if some celebrations such as those then being carried out, did not mark the anniversary of Dominion Duy, which heralded a new era for New Zealanders. He exhorted the children never t;o allow their patriotism to become weakened by a lack of appreciation of what made for a country's welfare, and hoped they would always regard Dominion Day in its true light. THE FLAG SALUTED. The next business—a spectacular proceeding—was the saluting" of the flag. This occupied several minutes, and was a part of the ceremonial invested with considerable interest. The function over, the National Anthem was sung with «reat heartiness, and lusty cheers were then given for His Majesty the King. IN D3FENCE OF THE MEDALS. The Headmaster had some interesting remarks to make abou*; the medals, which were distributed after the flag had been saluted. Mr Jackuon said that people who thought the medals were paltry tokens were not aware of the value attached to them on account of the singularly appropriate nature of their composition. The metal the medallions were made of was known as magno'.ium, and this was a mixture.of two of the,most modern and valuable discoveries in the metal world—aluminium and magnesium. The metal was of an extremely light nature, and would maintain its lustre well. Thus the advance made-by Now Zealand in its position in the world was typified in a medal which marked an epoch in metal discoveries. The medals, to the number offSOO, were then distributed.. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PREMIER.

The author of Dominion Day was not forgotten in the whirl of the proceedings, and a resolution was passed by the whole of the assembled company, that a telegram he sent to Sir Joseph Ward wishing him many happy returns of his political birthday, it being the 21st anniversary of the Premier's advent into Pa'lhmc r.t. Hearty cheers were then given for the Premier, the Mayor, visitors, and the Chairman of/ the School Committee. During the proceedings an apology for absence was read from F Captain McDonald of the Education Bpard.