THE SEA SPIRIT.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17609, 11 November 1922, Page 5

THE SEA SPIRIT.

GOVERNOE-GENEEAL INSPECTS SEA SCOUTS.

The weather was sp'endid, and the old Sea Scout, with a liberal display of bunting, rode leisurely at anchor yesterday morning when the Dominion Chief Scout, his Excellency the Gov-ernor-General, made a visit of inspection to the schooner. He was rowed from the jetty to tho ship in a cutter manned by four picked iSca Scouts, and as he came up the gangway he was met by members of the Sea Scout Committee and of the Scouts' Association. Brigadier-General A. Andrew, Captain D. Cosgrove, Cnief Commissioner, and Lieutenant J. Hines, R.N.V.R., Chief Sea Scout, accompanied him. Ti o party who welcomed h;m comprised Col n 1 R. Creswell, Colonel P. C. Fenwick, Major W. Furby, and Messrs F. H. it. Neville, chairman of the Sea. Scout Committee, H. H. Smith, H. S. J. Goodman, W. T. Charlewood, H. J. Maxriner, L. M. Isitt, M.P., the Rev. W. H. Obeli, and Captain Bowman, of the Sumner Sea. Scouts. At the jetty the Guard of Honour consisted of the Sumner-Clifton Sfea Scout Company of juniors, By Scouts, Sea Scouts, and Rovers, about 50 strong. liis Excellency seemed pleased with the spick and span order of the vessel, and after a thorough inspection he addressed the gathering in the meetingroom or social hall. He said he keenly appreciated what was being done by the Sea Scout movement, and he wished it every success. There was still no doubt that the future of England was with the sea, even if it was more in the air than formerly, and if the sea spirit was not kept up, the Empire would not continue in its glorious career. People were inclined to regard the pea from a financial point of view, and not from the point of its glamour and g : ory. The 6ea, spirit had made tho Empire, i>nd unless the spirit lived, the Empire would "come down with a crash," in his opinion. A debt of gratitude wns owed to the people who were endeavouring to implant in the young' the sea spirit which had made, and would make, the future of tho Empire. He then spoke privately to the Scout officers present, and inspected the Sea Scouts who_ were lined up on _ deck. After a critical look at the rigging, he said a net was needed in order that the boys migh.it go through theiv training in safety, and ho promised to supply the rope for the purpose. A flotilla of yachts and small craft Uad turned out in honour of the visit, and considerable amurement was caused by the visiting party at the expense or" a youthful helmsman who fouled an anchored launch. His Excellency was accorded the Dominion rally, or haka, >as he drove back to the city.