BOYS’ WEEK

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 43, 14 November 1932, Page 10

BOYS’ WEEK

Rally and Field Day DISPLAY AT RESERVE AN IMPRESSIVE PARADE VICE-REGAL INTEREST To the tune of stirring music, and with their gaily-coloured banners fluttering in the breeze, more than 1500 boys from all parts of the city and suburbs assembled at the Basin Reserve on Saturday afternoon, when a spectacular grand rally and field day was /held under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor-Gene-ral, Lord Bledisloe. The demonstration, which was as entertaining as it was diversified, was watched by several hundred people. The rally, which presented an opportunity to the public to express appreciation of the work of the various boys organisations in Wellington, opened with a brilliant ceremonial parade in which the six districts of the Wellington Boy Scout Association, the YMCA., the Boys’ Institute, the St. John Ambulance Cadets, and the Boys Brigade took part.' Following upon the parade of colours, the Wolf Cub howl, the Scout haka, and the rocket call were given to the accompaniment of rounds of applause from a well-filled grandstand. Chance for Youth. His Excellency the Governor-General and the Lady Bledisloe were welcomed j by Mr. L. T. Watkins, chairman of the management committee of the Associated Boys’ Organisations of Wellington. Mr. Watkins explained that the purpose of the gathering was to show that the various bodies in the city were alive to the necessity of assisting youth in the troublous times through which the country was passing. 'The programme sought to demonstrate that the boys were determined to become valu- ' able members of the community, by learning something which was not only t . useful but well worth while. Mr. Watkins emphasised that it was the men who were active that succeeded in life, and to illustrate his point he mentioned the names of Mr. Richard John Seddon, Mr. W. F. Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, and Mr. Forbes. • His Excellency said he was the opportunity of testifying to the valuable, indeed the invaluable, work winch was being carried on by those administering the various organisations represented there that day. What was the purpose of the gathering? Surely it was to build up the character of those who were in days to come to form the manhood of the nation. Country’s Greatest Asset. “This is the commencement, I am told, of Boys’ Week,” said his Excellency. “What is the object of Boys’ Week? The object of Boys’ Week is to remind the community at large that the greatest prospective asset to the country and Empire is its boys and girls.” i "Boys, whatever you do, do with your might,” counselled his Excel- ‘. lency. “Whatever is iworth doing at all remember is worth doing well. .There is a right and wrong way of doing everything, whether it’s handling a cricket bat or a billiard balL ; whether it’s running a half-mile race, whether it’s using a saw and plane in i, the carpenter’s .shop, or whether it’s tying y.our bootlaces. “You know, knowledge makes one so much more confident when it comes to putting one’s hands to the task of life,” continued his Excellency. “If you learn to do the small things well, then you are preparing yourself in the best possible way to do the big things. In all that you do, look to that Supreme Being who rules our destinies and without Whom we can do nothing really well. ■ “Boys, I want most heartily on this occasion to wish your efforts all success and to remind you that although . it may be difficult for some of the elder among you to obtain the employment which you seek, the whole world is passing through a great crisis to-day. In every country in the world unemployment is rife, but the clouds are passing away from the sun. The sun will soon be shining again, and when that time comes you are' going to have all of you a good opportunity of justifying yourselves if only in the meantime you are careful not to be idle. Danger of Idleness. “There is a great danger to the State in idleness and a still greater danger to the individual. Our prisons and our lunatic asylums are largely ‘filled to-day by people who have misspent their leisure when, they were young. There is no greater danger. A good citizen is best judged by the Svay he spends his leisure time. No, boys, never be idle. The greatest happiness in life is to be derived from good work. If you are careful not to be idle and always look to God for your guidance, you will grow up useful citizens and a credit to the great Empire to which we are all proud to belong. God bless you all and may you prosper in your work.” The events included jungle dances, chaxiot races, singing, games, play acting, and practices by Boy Scouts. One of the best exhibitions of the afternoon Was that given by'the Wellington Central Boy Scouts. This consisted of a scene representing a New Zealand coastal township daring a severe earthquake and the organisation of the scouts to render service immediately afterwards. The scouts gave a demonstration of first aid. pitched tents, established communications, and erected a breeches buoy. A tableau depicting the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi aroused great interest, and was particularly well done. John > Simcox, who took the part of Bishop Williams, is a great-grandson of the Rev. W. Colenso, who acted as interpreter at the signing of the treaty. Improvised stretcher drill and general scoutcraft occupied a prominent part in the programme. Other items included a / novelty display entitled “The Human Draught Board,” monkey bridge, fire drill, gymnastic displays, a slow-motion cricket match, pole fighting, bicycle football, animal race, apple eating competition, blin Id boxing, carpentering display, flag ...arching, and drill. Troops in Camp. One of the most interesting scenes depicted troops arriving in camp at the end of a day’s trek. Kitchens, camp hospitals. a flagstaff, and tents were erected, and various practices were carried out. The Hills District Boy Scouts gave an exhibition of the dance of the elephants, the thousand-legged worm, and the King of the Barbarees. The Wellington North Boy .Scouts were responsible for a very fine display which included a Maori stick game, morse signalling, and a model camp with gadgets. The St. John Ambulance Cadets excelled themselves with a demonstration of a human flag, and general gymnastic displays. The Boys’ Institute and the Boys’ Brigade were well to the fore with a display of physical drill. Yesterday special services were held in the churches. To-day there will be an open night at the Y.M.C.A.. and there will be an open night at the Boys’ Institute to-morrow. The bobbies exhibition will be opened at 8 p.m. ou Wednesday by the Rt. Hon G. W. Forbes, and the exhibition will be continued on Thursday and Friiay. Concerts will be given each evening.