FINE YOUNG CITIZENS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 138, 8 December 1931, Page 11

FINE YOUNG CITIZENS

SOME PRESENTATIONS

Sir Alfred Eotiin, wiio was accompanied by his sister, Misa Robin, was tho guest of honour last evening of the officials ;.ind boys of the Scout Group of the Wellington Boys' Institute. Sir Alfred is the Hon. Metropolitan Commissioner of the Scouts, having been asked to accept that office as the Scouts were unwilling for him to be disassociated from the movement after tho years of good service he has given to it. There was a large gathering of parents and friends present.

Mr. Jordan, (director of the Institute) presented., tho popular Honorary Com-missioner'-'with a "swastika" badge, which, he. explained was a sign of membership recognised everywhere. It carried the wishes for all good things, and. was only given as a recognition of fine service. Many boys, said the speaker,: had been inspired by the example of Sir Alfred, and his help to the movement had been outstanding. He called for cheers for the. guest of honour, which were given with great heartiness.

Sir Alfred, in thanking the Scouts for their gift, said that when-a-Scout did good deeds he did not expect to be thanked for it, or for any return—it was just a pleasure. He was glad of anything he could do to forward the interests of the movement, but he looked to younger men to take up the active part of the work and to help along the 3000 new Scouts, who were spreading in all directions. He would value the "swastika" greatly, and place it with some other things he treasured very much. He concluded with a few words on "good comradeship," and wished the Scouts continued success. He was again heartily cheered ;it the conclusion of his speech. Sir Alfred made presentations to tho hon. secretary (Miss M. AVclls), to Scoutmaster M'Crea, to J. Beuuekl (in charge of the Cubs), these two being "Rovers." He then pinned on a fiveyears' service medal on the Chief Scoutmaster (Mr. E. Cargill), explaining that it was given for good service, that each fivo years' service entitled the holder to a bar, and said he hoped that Mr. Cargill would have many bars to his medal before he laid down the work. (Applause.) Sir Alfred commended the work of the elder boys heartily, with special reference to the good work among the Cubs. The Rev. Mr. Carpenter added a few cordial words of praise and encouragement to the boys, and his small son gave two good little recitations. There was an interesting display of Scout work, as well as some of the "first-aid" work, the latter being superintended by the two nurses who have trained the boys excellently, as shown by their dexterity in bandaging for all sorts of usual injuries. All the work was watched with great interest by those present, and frequent applause was given. Tho "grand Jiowl" by the Cubs was given with much enjoyment, as also was the Maori greeting by older boys. Then came "taps," and a prayer by the chaplain, tho Rev. Mr. Reynolds, who also led in the recital of tho Lord's Prayer. Finally the, Union Jnck was raised, and all sang the National An-