DOMINION DAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2305, 25 September 1908, Page 2

DOMINION DAY.

LOCAL CELEBRATIONS. Tho first anivorsary of Dominion j)ay was celebrated at the different schools in G-isbonio yesterday. At the Muiignpapa School, after the Dominion medals had been distributed, and tho flag saluted, Mr. A. J. Black gave a stirring address o 1 “Patriotism.” Tho ceremony concluded with cheers lor the King and Prime Minister (Sir Joseph \\ ard). At tho Kaiti School similar celebrations were indulged in, and the Empire song and the. Klviional Anihom were both tiling by the children. Tho Rev. V. AV. Cliattorton and Mr. W. Lissant Clayton delivered short addresses, and the Dominion medals wore presented to the children by Mrs. Fyson The children were supplied with lollies, provided bv Mr. Clayton, and cheers wore given, tor the speakers, tho teaching staff, and Mrs. Eyson. , , r His AVorship the Mayor, the Mayoress, Mr. AV. L. Rees, and a number of other visitors were present lit tho Gisborne School, the children all being assembled an the school grounds, the Dominion medals were presented, and tho school cadets, under Major 'Kinder, went through a number of evolutions, finally concluding by marching past in companies and saluting tne AVorship the Mayor said that lie was pleased to he present and assist in the celebration of such an important event as that of the growth of the colhny from infancy into manhood. As a colony they were an off-shoot under the jurisdiction of the Mother Country, but as a Dominion they had a much better status. Every country had its distinctive -flag, «nd that flag which they had List saluted, tho ITnibn Jack of O-.d England, had never yet boon successfully beaten. Tho boys of to-day would have to take the place of the soldiers of tho past and present, and he honed they would all be true and loyal to tho flag, and cheerfully obey the orders of their superiors. ■ Air. AV. L. Rees was also caked upon to address the children. Ho said ho was honored by being asked to ho nresent and say a few words to them "in tho beginning of their Jile, as he was in the last years of his. J-Ic exhorted the children to keep the medals they had received and to treasure them as commemorative or the birth of tho great Dominion ot New Zealand. He gave a short history of the British in New Zealand, and in calling upon tho children to obev the precepts laid down for them, ho 'claimed that upon them would rest the responsibility of tlio -good character of their country. He hoped for the prosperity of the school. and asked that each would s » rive do that which was right ami nothing of which they would be ashamed. They bud his best for their success, and lie trusted they would grow up to he worthy men ami The singing of the National Am-t-hem, and cheers for the Speaker, and the teaching staff, brought- the celebrations to a close. CHRISTCHURCH CELEBRATIONS [Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 24. The celebration of Dominion Day anniversary on Saturday _wiJ.bc or Hither a quiet character in view* or the City Council determining not to ask the oitiaenstto observe a holiday. I'ho functions will he limited to the distribution of Dominion meda.s to the school children and the inspection by Colonel Robin of the volmiteeis in Cramner Square.