SCOUTS' PARADE

Evening Star, Issue 18255, 20 April 1923, Page 2

SCOUTS' PARADE

ADDRESSED BY THE GOVERNOR. DUCKWORTH'S BRAVERY REWARDED. The Governor-General (Viscount Jellicoc) visited the R.S.A. Club last evening, when lie inspected a parade of Boy and Girl Scouts. There were about 250 in the parade, which was under Major Fleming and Miss Reynolds (District Commissioners). The guard of honor was composed of a troop of Wolf Cubs, Junior flcouts, who used to be known in the movement as Bull Pups. The little boys paraded like old soldiers, and were warmly complimented by Ills Excellency. Having passed the Scouts in review, tho Govcrnor-Geiiernd went into the social hall in the club, where ho was presented by the mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas) to Major Fleming, Mr P. B. Sargood, and Mr A. H. Chadwick, of the local association, the scoutmasters, and their assistants.

His first office was tho presentation of the Boy (scouts’ bronze cross to Patrol Leader Duckworth, who saved a (boy from drowning at St. Clair last December. The medal was pinned on the boy's breast amidst much cheering from his brother Scouts. Lord Jcllicoe warmly commended the boy for bis bravery and gallant behaviour, and shook hands with him amidst renewed cheering. He told the Scouts that the society’s recognition of their companion was not only a tribute to his bravery, but to their organisation, and said ho hoped every boy would follow the training that was essential to becoming a first-class Scout, so that, if tho need arose, they would be able to do what Duckworth had done.

Addressing the parade, Lord Jellicoe said the Scout .movement was one of the finest preparations for good citizenship that could bo imagined. The boys who joined could not but become better boys, and, as a result, better men. He would like to congratulate all (he boys who were Scouts, and, at tho same time, to praise all tho men who were prepared to give the time and thought necessary to bo good scoutmasters. And they bad to tomrmber that, no matter whether a. man was a Prime Minister, tho head of the Navy, the chief of the Army* or the director of. any other body, there, must alwavs bo. someone who could stem into his place. It was just the same in the Scout movement, so they should give honor not only to the masters, but to the assistant masters. His Excellency, picking up a book of rules recently approved by the English .Scouts’ Association, expressed the hope that thev would ho modified to suit New Zealand requirements and 1 adopted here. They emphasised the importance of the. assistant scoutmasters and of the troop committees. He would like to thank the men and women ot those troop committees, and also the assistant masters, for the. work they had done. In a letter he had received it was mentioned that the country was studded with disbanded troops. This should not be, (Applause.) He was inclined to think that it was due to the importance of the troop committees and of assistants not being fully realised. He hoped and trusted that after this year’s annual meeting this state of affairs would pass, and that the movement would grow day by day. His Excellency also had something to say about the Sea .Scouts movement, remarking that he wished to see it again put on a. good footing. Six months ago he had sent Homo for a silver trident for presentation to the most efficient troop of Sea Scouts, but he was very sorry to say that there had been no competition for it. The Devonport Troop in Auckland would take a lot of beating, and unless there was some competition he would have to present it to them. Tho Auckland Troop was fortunate in having the officers of the Philomel to lake an interest in them; but there was no reason why Dunedin should not have a shot at tho trophy, with a good chance of giving Auckland a strong contest. In conclusion, His Excellency referred in complimentary terms to the-mem-bers of tho girls’ troop and to the Wolf Cubs. Ho wished them all luck. Major Fleming thanked the GovernorGeneral for his presence and address, and called for threo cheers, which were heartily given.