UNVEILING OF SHRINE.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20619, 8 August 1932, Page 10

UNVEILING OF SHRINE.

BRONZE CROSS FOR GALLANTRY. PRESENTATION BY GOVERNORGENERAL. His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Blcdisloe, and Lady Blodisloe, attended the Liatvood Mothodist Church lust night where his Excellency, as Dominion Chief Scout, unveiled a scout and guido shrine and presented a bronze cross for gallantry to Assistant-Scout-muster James Kenn, of Christchurch. The new church was crowded to the doors and the service was conducted by the Rev. F. Greenwood. This is now the second ?eout and guido shrine to be orected in Christchurch. Linwood is in the position of being tho strongest scout group in tho Canterbury metropolitan district, and altogether has over 120 rovers, scouts, and cubs. The special service commenced with tho National Anthem and tho hymn, "O Worship tho King in All Glorious Love." Prayors were said by Mr Greenwood, who is also the group scoutmaster, followed by a reading from the 11th chapter of Isaiah by tho Governor-General. The anthem, "Send Out Thy Light." was sung by the choir, and the subsequent hymn was "Brightly Gleams Our Banner.'' A flag, given to tho Linwood troop of acoutH and tho Linwood Guide Company, was then dedicated by Mr Greenwood. Loyal Support Assured. ' "I have great pleasure in welcoming you to this service and in asking you to unveil this shrine which will serve to remind all scouts and guides of their duty to God and country," said Mr Greenwood to his Excellency. "I promise you that you will receivo the rnoßt loyal support that it is possible for scouts and guides to give. You follow in the footsteps of other Governors of this Dominion—all men of high ability and upright character." In reply tho Governor-General said: "I appreciate your very kind and loyal welcome and most gladly comply with your requost. I dedicate this scout and guido shrine to the glory of God, and I pray that God's blessing will rest abundantly upon you and tho work thaij is put into your hands, and upon all scouts and guides who now, and in tho days to come, gather in this place to worship Him." His Excellency's Remarks.

His Excellency then presented the bronze cross to Assistant-Scoutmaster Kean. "I am pleased," ho said, "to confer this cross and banner for a valiant deed. On Fobruary 14th last, at New Brighton beach, Assistant-Scoutmaster Kean saved the life of Mrs B. D. Stevens and later brought to the shore the body of Mr H. P. Stevens. This cross is the greatest thing a scout can win. It carries the motto, 'Bo Prepared' and I suggest that all scouts present should behave likewise when duty calls." Mr Gruonwood, in tho course of his address, spoko on tho value of the ensign as an emblem representing a striving after tho best things of life. The banner, ho said, was the symbol of allegiance to tho King and tho country. Upon that allegiance to the Empire, and to Jesus Christ stoci the nation's greatness. As in the battles of old, the fight soon resolved itself into a struggle round the flag, which was a rallying point, so it must bo in everyday life. The Three Virtues. "As scouts and guides wo are only truo when our thoughts are right, true, and pure," continued Mr Greenwood. "Wo must fulfil the promise we made when we joined the movement. The flag stands for three things—the red for sacrifice, the white for purity tho blue for honour. Tho only things that matter in life are the things that are founded on those three virtues." The dedicated flag and tho company flags were then placed in the shrine, which consists of two brass plates and two urns, surmounted by a reproduction of the painting, "The Night's Vigil." Tho plates bear tho scout and guide promise: "On my honour I promise I will do my best to do my duty Xo God and the King; to help other poople at all times; to obey the scout (guide) law." The service closed with the Benediction. Many Officers Attend. The officers of the scout movement present were Colonel P, Clennell Fenwick, Dominion Chief Commissioner; Major W. E. S. Furby, Dominion Headquarters Commissioner; Major J. W. Crnmpton, Acting-Metropolitan Commissioner; Mr F. G. Tidswell, District Commissioner, No. 3 Christehurch district; District Scoutmaster P. W. Hamilton, No. 1 jghristchurch district, and District Scoutmaster Fearer, No. 4 Christchurch district. Representing the guides wore Mrs J. F. Studholme, Provincial Commissioner; Miss Bromley Cocks, Acting-Deputy Provincial Commissioner; Mrs J. Cracroft Wilson, Provincial President; Miss M. Hogg, District Commissioner, East Christehurch; Miss 0. D. Mcllraith, District Commissioner, South East Christehurch; Mrs A. McKillop, District Commissioner, South West Christchurch; Miss D. Anderson, District Commissioner North West Christehurch; Mrs N. Banks, Provincial Secretary Girl Guides' Association; Miss H. Elmslie, District Captain, and Miss Barbara Gould, secretary of the Post and Lone branch. The scout parade was under the command of Rover-Leader J. Stokes and the guide parade, of Miss M. Maxwell. The Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt, president of tho ' Methodist Conference, was also present. i