JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 251, 24 February 1898, Page 2

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS AT CAMBRIDGE.

Yksterda? was a gala oue in Cambridge, the unfurling of the National British Flag at the head of the Jubilee flagstaff being made the occasiou of a general n-joicing. Seveuty-oight of the Wa'kato Mounted Infantry, under Captain Reid, attended, and several members of the Hamilton Band helped their brother musicians of Cambridge. The infantry rolled up in good numbers, and formed up outside the Jubilee garden, while the schoolchildren were ranged on the inside. The infantry looked remarkably well in their uniforms, and the horses were good ones. There was a large attendance of settlers and others, buggies bving ranged round the ground. His Worsh p the Mayor (Mr A. Bach) then addressed those assembled, and said they all knew how last year, when all the Empire were preparing to celebrate the Record Reign of Her Majesty, it was decided that a part ef the celebration at Cambridge should be the impiovcment of the grounds in which they were assembled, the erection of a flagstaff and the hoisting of the Union Jack, That portion of the scheme having been completed, it was considered the correct thing to hoist the National Flag for the first time with some degree of ceremony, and for that purpose they had met that day. Flags in all cottntries had for ages played an important part and been highly honoured by the respective inhabitants ; but he doubted if they, as members of a great nation, were as zealous in showine their respect for their National Flag as they should be. In the Army and Navy their respective flags were honoured and loved ; many a noHe struggle had taken place for the colours of a regiment or fight for the standard, and when worn out the remnants of them were usually deposited in some old Church or Cathedral as mementoes of deeds of valor aud loyalty. In like manner most Athletic Clubs had their flags or banners, which were eagerly contested for ; and Societies of various kinds had banners, which were always carried at the head of their ranks when taking part in a procession. In the older countries the various National Flags were brought prominently before the public, but in a younger countryAmerica their the Stars and Stripes, was in many of the States saluted by the children as they entered and left school. Flags were largely used for signalling, their colour and shape being easily distinguishable. Each flag representee! a letter or number and combinations of them signified words or sentences, and, with the aid of an official key, communications could be made with freedom, certainty and rapidity for a considerable distance. Nelson's famous message at Trafalgar was communicHed by flag signals, and so rapidly that in recognition of it every vessel was manned simultaneously. Flags are much more used now for signalling in the navy than in Nelson's time. In 1855 a new system of signalling was adoptel for the merchant service, and by means of it by using only 18 flags and three pennants 78,642 signals could be made, and not using more than four flags at one hoist. Flags were also used as the colours of different regiments, and marked the grounds to be occupied by by the troops. [His Worship then hoisted and unfurled the Union Jack amidst the cheers of the assembled crowd.] He continued : The term "flag" was derived from the old English "Fleogan''—to fly. The British flags were three in number. First came the Royal Standard, which was only hoisted in the presence of the sovereign or a member of the Royal family ; the second was the Lord High Admiral's, an anchor on a red field ; and the third was the Union Jack, the national flag of Great Britain and Ireland, which was now flying before them. The old English flag, the banner of St. George, was a white one with a red cross, and in 1606 it was incorporated with the banner of Scotland, a blue flag with a white diagonal cross, in allusion to the union of the two k'ngloms. That was proclaimed the National Flag of Great Britain on the 28th July, 1707 ; but on the union with Ireland in 1801, the flag of St. Patrick, a white one with a diagonal red cross was introduced, having the four limbs of the cross edged on one side with white. There they had the union of the crosses of the banners of the three kingdoms of England, Ireland and Scotland. Jack, the latter part of the name, was originally Jaquc, a surcoat marked with a red cross, which was woru by English soldiers in ancient times. In addition to its general use as the National Flag,' it was employed in the naval service, being placed in the upper quarter (near the mast) of the red, white and blue ensigns. It could not perhaps be defended as a very beautiful design, but it is endeared to the nation by a thousand associations of heroism and pathos, and was universally regarded as an emblem of liberty. It is the flag that floats in nearly every corner of the world and over the greatest Empire of the present day. Long may it do so ! It is the flag under which most of us present have been born and lived, and it is out duty to foster that reverence and loya ty to"the flag and what it represents that is its due, and to instil these sentiments in the hearts of the ruing generation, telling them of the deeds of valour that have been done by their forefathers in days gone past. Let us hope these warlike times may not come again, but if our old flag should be in danger it will be our duty to take a part in the defence of it and our Mother Country, and should the occasion arise, we in New Zealand will be prepared to assemble under the " Grand Old Flag " and do our level best to carry it to victory. lam proud to see here to-day a fine body of men enrolled under this flag. I hope they will never parade under any other, and I know they will do their best under any circumstances to uphold the honour of it if called upon. I now beg to thank Copt, Reid, his officers and men for so kindly attending to-day. I also thank all who have assisted in any way to bring this commemoration of Her Majesty's 60th year of reign to a successful issue.

Three cheers were given, led by Mr T. VV. Hicks, the infantry presented arms and the band played the National Anthem. Mr T. VV. Hicks then made a most patriotic speech, and said lie believed the inhabitants of Cambridge would shed the last drop of their blood for Her Majesty.