The band p l ayed, and the assembl age then sang i < j “ National Anthem.” Mr 0. Hall, Member for Waipawa, then briefly gave an address. He saw many happy faces present, but he would like to bring the Minister here in winter, when the faces of the back settlers were sad on account of the want of road and bridges to their sec tions. He spoke of the loyalty of New Zealanders, and said that in the future* they would be a people to be reckoned with He hoped they would loyally support their flag, if called upon to do so. The school children, under Mr Thomas, Head-master, then rendered “ Rule Britannia ” very effectively. Mr O’Meara said he was glad to see so many young people present, and undoubtedly this event would ever re main in their memory. They were bound together by sentiment. They would find that we in the most southern part of the British Empire were just as loyal as those inhabiting the British Isles. He was greatly dis appointed that this district had not been visited by the Imperial troops as in the larger centres—in this respect they had not received the considera tion due to them. He hoped as soon as peace was declared that there would be a flag representative of the whole of the British Colonies, who had done more than their share in support of the Empire. Before concluding he r would like to call for cheers foy the Minister, who had come at great in convenience. He considered that the Hon. gentleman was the most popular man in the House, and if he does as well as a Minister of the Crown as he did as Whip of the party, he will be Premier in a very short time. Cheers were then given heartily for the Minister. The Mayor said that a few of Mr Sedeole’s friends, to show their appre ciation of what he had done, had pro cured a brass plate, engraved with the following words “ Designed and erected by Mr H. Sedcole, November, 1900,” and he would ask Mr Mills to attach it to the flagstaff. Before attaching the plate, the Hon. gentleman heartily thanked the speakers for the kind words spoken of him. He would study the Colony as a whole. This district was much akin to his own. 