Brigade 91 years old

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33664, 14 October 1974, Page 16

Brigade 91 years old

The ninety-first anni- ‘ versary of the founding ( of the Boys’ Brigade , movement was marked in Christchurch yesterday afternoon by a 1 parade in Latimer, Square, a march through city streets, and a service in St Paul’s Trinity ) Pacific Presbyterian Church. More than 900 > took part in the celebrations. ; The Canterbury battalion 1 paraded in Latimer Square, , where the changing-of-the- ! colours ceremony was held. ■ The battalion colours were paraded and transferred - from the Opawa-based 27th : Christchurch company to the 1 Woolston-based 22nd Christ- ■ church company, which will 1 parade them for the next twelve months. The parade along Worces- 1 ter, Barbadoes, and Cashel '

Streets was the first time the battalion of junior and company section had marched together as a mixed group. Until then they had always held two separate parades. “Which way?” was the theme of the address by the Rev. Ivor Bailey. The service was conducted by the chairman of the national council of churches (the Rev. K. Faletoese), and the readings were taken by Corporal J. Roake, of the 14th Christchurch company, and G. Caygill, of the 3rd Christchurch team. The prayers were taken by Mr Faletoese and the lieutenant in charge of the Ist Christchurch team (Mr A. Garlick). Music for the service was provided by the church organ and St Andrew’s youth group, Hoon Hay. SALUTE At the march-past in Madras Street, after the service, the salute was taken

by the chief guest of the battalion, the Minister of Health (Mr McGuigan). Other guests included representatives of the Scout Association, and the New Zealand Boys’ Brigade assistant secretary (Mr R. Baird). A record amount was given to the missionary offering, which provides aid in the way of training, equipment and the extension of the Boys’ Brigade movement in the South Pacific. A total of $619.54 given from the boys’ pocket money was dedicated at the service. After the parade, a band display was given in Latimer Square by the Canterbury battalion bugle band. MARCHING The Beckenham-based Ist Christchurch team of the Boys’ Brigade won the Boys’ Brigade figure-m figuremarching competitions when the Canterbury battalion finals were held in the St. Peter’s Church hall on Sat-

urday evening. Boys from Christchurch and North Canterbury took part. The competition is held annually, and is a test of standards attained during the winter indoor programmes. The competition calls for involvement of most boys, and required at least seventy-five per cent of the boys in each team to participate. The Activities Cup was presented to the Ist Christchurch team by the Brigade New Zealand assistant secretary, Mr R. Baird, of Wellington.

Area competitions have been held over the last two weeks, and the winning team from each area took part in the battalion final. Results:—lst Christchurch team (Beckenham) 73 points, 1; Ist Kaiapoi 68, 2; 13th Christchurch (Upper Riccarton) 64, 3. Members of the winning team were: J. Boyd. D. Billesdon, J. Smart, I. Otten, M. Philpott, P. Redmond, P. Harris, P. Hayward, J. Hayward, D. Coburn, A. Horne, A. Van Gelder.