My Account
In the year 1900 flags were appearing at schools all over the country and on June 25, 1900 the “Union” flag was raised for the first time at the Upper Waiwera School “in the presence of the schoolchildren, a goodly number of settlers and their wives” according to a report at the time.
The headmaster, Mr W. E. Johns (who later became headmaster of Silverdale School) organised the ceremony, and the hoisting of the flag was performed by Mr. William Howell – a veteran of the 58th regiment. Mr Johns explained the meaning of the crosses on the flag – the main red cross representing England, the white diagonal cross on the blue background representing Scotland and the diagonal red cross representing Ireland. He reminded the children that in days to come they might be called upon to fight under the flag.
Mr William McCathie, the School Commissioner, called for three cheers for the Queen and this was followed by the singing of God Save the Queen and three cheers for “Lord Roberts and the brave men fighting in the Transvaal”.
The article of July 7, 1900 in the NZ Herald refers to the Union Flag. There was, at the time, a great deal of controversy over whether the flag should be called Union Flag or Union Jack as the phrase Union Jack applied to the Union Flag flown on Naval ships. However Union Jack became the accepted name. The current NZ flag was not formally adopted until 1902 but a correspondent in the NZ Herald of June 3, 1900 was adamant that the national flag of NZ was the blue ensign with the stars of the Southern Cross. This flag had been hoisted and saluted with a 21 gun salute by HMS Alligator in March 1881.
The Upper Waiwera School closed around 1970. The building was acquired by Silverdale School for use as a library and when the school moved from the industrial area to its current location in Silverdale North, it was donated to the Silverdale Pioneer Village.
Museum News
1860s Chapel available for weddings • Pioneer Village open every day (except Tuesdays) 10am–3pm from December 1. View the traditional Christmas decorations in the Village’s heritage houses • December 6, 5pm–7.30pm Twilight Gala at the Village • December 11 – Christmas lunch at Brighams Creek. Fare $39 includes lunch and coach fare. Phone 424 8615 to book • December 13, 7pm Carol Service in the Village Chapel
