BOY SCOUTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 48, 26 February 1945, Page 7

BOY SCOUTS

NFW FMPIRF IFADFR

DOMINION'S CONGRATULA-

TIONS

The commemoration at the weekend by Wellington Boy Scouts of the birthday of the founder of the movement, the late Lord Baden-Powell, coincided with the appointment of a new Empire Chief Scout. Cabled advice was received that Lord Rowallan had been appointed to the post, vacant since the death last year of Lord Somers, a former Governor of Victoria. In reply to the announcement the Governor-General (Sir Cyril Newall), in his capacity as Dominion Chief Scout, cabled as follows to Lord Rowallan:—

"On behalf of all New Zealand Cubs, Scouts, Rovers, and Scouters, numbering 20,000, I send you this message of congratulation, welcome, and loyalty as our Empire Chief Scout. We wish you joy and every success in your great work." . ' Sir Percy Everett, deputy Chief Scout of Great Britain, who had acted in that capacity since the death of Lord Somers, cabled Dominion headquarters asking for New Zealand's approval to the appointment of the Empire Chief Scout. Mr. Hector Christie, Dominion Chief Commissioner, sent the required acceptance of Lord Rowallan to London.

Sir Cyril and Lady Newall were present on Saturday afternoon at a rally organised by Wellington county officials as part of the Baden-Powell birthday commemoration. With them were the Mayor (Mr. Appleton) and Mrs. Appleton. About 800 Cubs, Scouts, Sea Scouts, and Rovers were present at the Pirie Street Reserve, where his Excellency took the salute. The weather was ideal.

The viceregal party was received by Mr. P. T. Smithers, county commissioner. The rally was under the direction of Mr. Christie, who was assisted by Mr. M. R. Downey, assistant county commissioner, Mr. C. A. Hollaway, assistant district commissioner, and Mr. F. Mclvor, Dominion headquarters secretary. Sir Cyril and Lady Newall spent the afternoon at the reserve, p.nd followed the programme of competitive events, that included wall climbing, billy boiling, arid signalling, with keen interest. The Rovers prepared the ground for the competitions. The Cubs did not compete in the events, but had a pro-

gramme of their own games. Miss M. E. Gill, district cubmaster, Wellington South, was in charge. . Proceedings were opened with I prayers offered by Mr. Downey. The 30 groups participating in the rally then marched past his Excellency, who later made a thorough inspection. Following the inspection the Cubs greeted the Governor-General with a grand howl. His Excellency presented the Wellington county trophy, a Maori adze mounted on a carved handle, to St. i Cuthbert's, winners of the aggregate. Following were the results of the events: — March past.—Kelburn, 1; Wadestown, 2; Khandallah, 3. Morse. —Wadestown, 1; The Terrace, 2; Britannia, 3. Billy boiling.—Basilica, 1; Brooklyn, 2; St. Cuthbert's, 3. Wall scaling.—Wadestown, 1; Khandallah, 2; Island Bay, 3. Bridge building.—Southern Cross, 1; Trinity Methodist, 2; Wadestown, 3. Signal tower.—Wadestown, 1; Britannia, 2: Khandallah, 3. Aggregate. — St. Cuthbert's and Wadestown, equal, 1; Khandallah, 3; Britannia, 4.