Boys’ Brigade parade

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32425, 12 October 1970, Page 14

Boys’ Brigade parade

A parade from Latimer Square and a service in the Christchurch Cathedral yesterday afternoon were the Canterbury battalion’s tribute to the eighty-seventh anniversary of the founding of the Boys’ Brigade movement. The parade assembled in Latimer Square, where the ceremony of the Changing of the Colours was held to transfer the battalion colours from the Spreydon based Ist Christchurch company, to the St Albans based 3rd Christchurch company, which is this year celebrating its thirty-fifth anniversary. The colours will be kept by the 3rd Christchurch company for the coming year, and will be paraded on special occasions.

The parade was led by the Canterbury battalion’s commanding officer (Mr D. L. Aitken) and its assistant adjutant (Mr G. Groves). The battalion bugle band played during the parade along Worcester Street to Cathedral Square. The service was conducted by the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. M. L. Underhill), and the address given by the chaplain of the 6th Christchurch company (the Rev. L. Jones). Mr Jones told the congregation of about 410 company section boys and officers, and 180 parents and friends, that

those in New Zealand took too much for granted—such as “the gift of education.” “I have just recently returned from several months in the Pacific where the great.

gift of education is not possible,” he said. “People are poor and cannot be eduacted like us. One child will be sent to school for a while, and then withdrawn, and another child will be allowed to go for a while.” “We do not realise how fortunate we are. It is time we sang more and more our national anthem, ’God Defend New Zealand’,” Mr Jones said.

The lesson was read by the president of the Canterbury battalion (Mr W. S. Collins). The Cashmere High School brass band played the music for the singing of hymns. The offering, and the missionary offerings collected in the companies during the year, were dedicated for the extension of the movement in the Pacific area.

After the service, the battalion paraded through Cathedral Square, where the salute was taken by the patron of the battalion (Sir George Manning). Special guests at the service included Sir George Manning, and representatives of the St John Ambulance Brigade, the Girls’ Brigade, and the Scout Association.