BOYS’ BRIGADE CONTINGENT

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27374, 12 June 1954, Page 9

BOYS’ BRIGADE CONTINGENT

108 MEMBERS LEAVE FOR ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL CAMP AT ETON (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 11. Today was the day to which 108 officers and boys of the Boys’ Brigade had been looking forward for three years—it was the day of their embarkation in the Monowai for England, where they will attend the first international camp to be held by the brigade. The New Zealand contingent will be joined in England by five members who left the Dominion earlier. About 2500 members of the Boys’ Brigade will meet in the grounds of Eton College in August for a camp to mark the centenary of the birth of the founder of the movement, Sir William Smith. After the contingent had assembled in Wellington this morning, colours were presented to the party by the Ist Hastings Company. Then the contingent marched to Parliament Buildings, where it received a State farewell. The Prime Minister (Mr Holland), extending the good wishes of the Government to the contingent, congratulated the boys on their individual efforts in working for and saving at least £250 each to finance the trip. “The purpose of the Bbys’ Brigade is to promote Christian manliness, and you could have ,nothing better than that.” said Mr Holland. He extended a special welcome to 15 Cook Islanders who form part of the New Zealand contingent. Mr A. H. Nordmeyer, M.P., deputising for . the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash), said the Boys’ Brigade was not strong numerically, but it was a splendid influence. Therq would be a great lesson for members of the contingent in their experiences in the next few months.

Mr H. Grocott, founder of the Boys’ Brigade in New Zealand, told the contingent that the great day for which they had waited so long had dawned at last, and he urged the boys to make the most of their trip. Mr F. M. B. Patchett, leader of the contingent, Mr S. George, and the Rev. Tua Pittman, representing the Cook Islanders, replied. After leaving Parliament Buildings, the contingent, accompanied by the band of the 18th Wellington Company of the brigade, marched to the railway social hall. Early this afternoon, they marched from the hall to the Monowai.