Children’s rally at the Basin Reserve on the First Anniversary of Dominion Day, 26 September 1908, at 11am by ‘Schools Cadets and Scholars’. Addresses given by the Governor Lord Plunket and the Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward. “A living representation of the NEW ZEALAND ENSIGN in which 3,000 Scholars will take part.” Distribution of Dominion Day Medals. All before a large crowd on a fine but blustery Wellington day.
INTERTITLE B&W: [Dominion Day Celebrations, Basin Reserve, Wellington] (1908) Camera: James McDonald. Governor Lord Plunket and Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward address a children’s rally at the Basin Reserve on the first anniversary of Dominion Day, Saturday 26 September 1908.
MWS School cadets marching past Parade Commander Captain TW McDonald (Assistant Adjutant General) NZ Defence Forces (in cocked hat) and Captain Mabin as they stand talking by dais.
MWS Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward arriving at dais in horse drawn coach, Old soldier (faithful retainer) opens coach door and Ward family (daughter-in-law, son and grandson) disembark and mount dais . - journalists seated near dais, three cameras on stands opposite dais.
MWS. Horse drawn carriage stopping at dais and Lord Plunket and Aide De Camp Captain Lyon disembark - Lord Plunket salutes, journalists stand and raise hats.
MS Lord Plunket, his aide-de-camp captain Lyon, Joseph Ward, and Captain McDonald, Scots College Officer inspecting school cadets standing at attention with shouldered rifles.
MS Lord Plunket, Joseph Ward and others walking past children holding flags above heads - cadets in BG.
HS Overlooking dignitaries on dais issuing Dominion Day Aluminium Commemorative medals - cadets lazing on lawn before dais, cameramen and photographers nearby focusing on people on dais.
“The medals are handed in bunches to the headmasters and mistresses by Governor.”
HS PAN L From crowd in stands to large group of children crowded together on lawn waving flags above head to form “human flag” - cadets laze on lawn nearby, spectators on embankment in BG.
“The flag was protected by chubby cadets with clean Eton collars.”
WS Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward giving speech from dais - wife seated nearby in magnificent hat, crowd seated behind dais.
“Prime Minister gives address but the northerly made him inaudible to the crowd, Lady Ward’s hat is magnificent.”
PAN L Across crowd sitting and standing on embankment to Sir Joseph Ward speaking on dais near Lord Plunket and Union Jack flag flying in breeze - many Women wearing large fine hats and fur stoles, Men in formal suits
“there was an unmistakable absence of enthusiasm amongst the crowds.”
PAN L Across crowds to officers standing holding sabres in front of cadets sitting on ground to Staff Sergeant Major Rose tapping cane against leg - cadets stand and take up rifles - crowd of children holding flags in BG.
MS Lord Plunket leaving dais and getting into horse drawn carriage.
MS Little girl standing in path of carriage watching camera risks
MS Sir Joseph Ward and family leaving dais assisted by Captain Mabin, NZ Defence Forces.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19080926.2.58?end_date=31-12-1908&page=5&phrase=0&query=dominion+day+children+Newtown&start_date=01-01-1908