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[Page 31]
[Newspaper cutting]
The Daily Telegraph
SYDNEY, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1914.
TROPHY OF THE WAR
SYDNEY TO HAVE RABAUL FLAG.
The Imperial flag that for the last time fluttered from the staff at the German administrative block at Rabaul, New Britain, a few weeks ago, now belongs to the citizens of Sydney. The expeditionary force, under Colonel Holmes, took the settlement on September 12, and one day later the bunting that had given way to the Union Jack was on its way to Sydney.
At last night's meeting of the City Council, the following communication dealing with the matter was received from Colonel Holmes, dated Government House, Rabaul, New Britain:
My dear Lord Mayor,--I am forwarding the German Imperial flag, removed yesterday, on my arrival here, from the German Government administrative buildings.
If this flag can be made use of in any way to stimulate the interest in recruiting at Sydney for the additional forces which are sure to be required to help dear old Mother-land, to whom we owe so much, then I hope you will do so to the utmost. I would at the same time have you to remember that to attain this flag some of the best of Australia's blood had to be spilled and gallant young lives sacrificed. I refer to the death of young Dr. Pockley and the others under my command who fell with him; but, after all, it is a small price to pay, and there are thousands of others ready to follow their bright example in the best interests of the grandest Empire--on which the sun never sets.
Ald. Meagher hoped the council would make some acknowledgment of this trophy of war, and he moved--
That the communication and the trophy be received with the best thanks and assurances of keen interest in the developments now taking place in the South Seas, and with the council's grateful appreciation of Colonel Holmes's action, and that he be so informed.
The mover said that he could say that after 20 years' personal acquaintance with Colonel Holmes he did not know of a better soldier and administrator who could have been entrusted with such an important undertaking. As an administrator in Sydney he had proved himself as practically without a peer. "Matters are only in the process of evolution in the islands," said Ald. Meagher, "but probably if Colonel Holmes desired to hold the office of Administrator, I do not believe the Imperial authorities would in the least way oppose his claims." (Loud applause.)
Ald. Griffin endorsed Ald. Meagher's observations, and expressed delight that the fortunes of war had been so eminently on the side of the British in an effort to obtain a mastery of the Southern Seas. He also