OUR CHIEF HONOURED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 136, 11 June 1927, Page 2 (Supplement)

OUR CHIEF HONOURED.

SCOUTERS' ASSOCIATION. PAPAKURA TROOP SHOWING PROMISE. Scouts and Rcouters throughout the world will be pleased to hear that our Chief, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, received a further distinction at the hands of the King on the occasion of his birthday. lie was made a knight in 190!),

and he can now add the letters G.C.M.G. to his name. Our local association sent Sir Robert a cable of congratulations, and has since received his reply.

About l.") 0 Scouts and Scoutcrs attended the church parade at St. Matthew's Church on Sunday, June 5. They assembled outside the Town Hall and marched to church, where the Rev. Grant Cowen made feeling reference to the death of Earl Kitchener, the whole congregation standing in silence for a moment. With patriotic fervour Mr. Cowen referred to tfie Royal family and the great democratic British nation, and spoke particularly of those bodies represented there, comprising members of the New Zealand Forces, the Mayor and corporation, Scouts, and other organisations. Baden-Powell he designated as "Founder of the Boy Scouts," which mpvement he described as one of the greatest that has ever lteen organised, and was pleased to see so many hoy^there —boys whom he called future leadeWof the nation.

Messrs. B. C. Grigsbv (District Commissioner), F. B. B. Bos well (District Scoutmaster), and J. J. Mead (District Secretary) paid a visit to the Tajpakura Troop on Friday, June 3, on the occasion of the troop's first birthday. The function took the form of an entertainment provided purely by the scouts, and the way in whioh tliey'entered into the songs, physical jerks, ambulance, instrumental items and sketches showed a marked degree of efficiency. As previously stated, this troop is now under the capable leadership of Mr. H. A. I*. Slesher, who seems to be an exceedingly capable and energetic scouter, and "Michael" is looking for the date when Papakura should boast one of the best troops in the district. _

The Scouters' Association held a dancc at St. Matthew's schoolroom on Saturday June 4, and all agreed that it was a most successful function, and are looking forward to another such meeting. Excellent music was provided by the Peerlesß orchestra, and Mr. S. G. Peek proved himself a capable M.C. "Michael" is convinced that this association can and will wield a very great power for the good of the movement, and should be the means of bringing Scouters together ,and creating that inter-troop spirit of friendship which is so essential to the conduct of any organisation.

Mr. Philip Draper, who was in charge of the Fame Troop on the occasion of the Duke of York's visit, is now stationed at Gisborne, and "Michael" expects that Poverty Bay win soon Tioast an efficient troop of Sea Scouts as the result of Mr. Draper's efforts. • * • » The Scouters' class under the Rev. K. J. McFarland is still going strong. It is a pity that social engagements prevent more than a dozen or so Scouters attending this class, which is now engaged on second class work. That it is a good idea and that Scouters are receiving much benefit from it is undoubted, and S.M.'s and A.S.M.'s who have the time should avail themselves of this excellent opportunity.