Lord Kitchener toured New Zealand in February-March 1910 to report on Defence Policy to the NZ Government.
In this film Field Marshal Lord Kitchener reviews a parade of school cadets, Boy Scouts and veterans at Forbury Park at three o’clock, Friday 20 February 1910.
The cadets represented 63 companies from the Otago district numbering 2648, as well as 203 Boy Scouts from Dunedin, Invercargill, Kaitangata, Milton and districts.
The presentation of Colours was made to a battalion of High School cadets formed in a hollow square, with the Colours placed on drums in front of FM Lord Kitchener. Kitchener presented the King’s and Regimental Colours to each kneeling Ensign. After the presentation the Ensigns rose and faced the parade who presented arms in a General Salute.
“Boys, I have great pleasure in handing you these colours. I hope they will always be a mark of your efficiency in training and also discipline. By discipline I mean good conduct, and that you will be true and patriotic defenders of New Zealand.”
The march past and presentation of colours were disrupted by the crowd: “the few police on the ground being entirely unable to control the movement... the parade ground was invaded, and Lord Kitchener surrounded by a pressing mob of people. The crowd became worse and worse and more and more insistent and curious... The dust of the ground rose in suffocating clouds, and the crowd had immediately reached an impossible stage.” This is not evident on the film but may account for the limited footage.
0’ Pan left across two rows of bagpipers as part of Dunedin Garrison Band at Forbury park. School Cadets marching on in background.
17’ CU Bagpipers pan right drum. Troops lined up in Review Order in background.
42’ March past; Boy Scouts in line carrying staves, Second Scout Master salutes with left hand instead of right! Tents in background.
64’ Cadets queuing outside hut with containers to collect hot water, looking curiously at camera, variety of cadet uniforms from the various school cadet companies.
72’ Filling buckets with hot water from a camp oven on the fire.
80’ Same scene, different angle.
89’ School cadets gathering and emptying containers.
94’ Kitchenhand draws water from tub and in an elaborate self-conscious pose, drinks for camera.
103’ FM Lord Kitchener with Parade Commander (Captain TW McDonald), ADC, nearest camera (Colonel Kirkpatrick), PM and Minister of Defence , Sir Joseph Ward (in top hat) and other officers including Mr Miller (Minister of railways, second top hat in rear group) move out to inspect parade.
106’ Inspection: Kitchener (nearest cadets) accompanied by McDonald on his right, Colonel Robin, ADC, Sir Joseph Ward; followed by military members of NZ Defence Council.
Kitchener inspects School Cadets.
Kitchener inspects front rank of Boy Scouts, passing Union Jack.
Captain McDonald leads Kitchener and party down from the rank of School Cadets followed by row of turning curious schoolboy faces.
146’ Presentation of Colours, Kitchener presents King’s Colours to Ensign (ADC at his side), Chaplain Curzon-Siggers, Millar, Colonel Robin, and Captain TW McDonald in rear, photographers active in background. Colour Ensign rises as Kitchener fingers his moustache.
Kitchener stands impassively as photographers reload in background and Colour party (out of shot) turn and face the hollow square of school cadets who present arms.
171’ End