“BE PREPARED”

Evening Star, Issue 19699, 28 October 1927, Page 10

“BE PREPARED”

RECOGNITION OF GALLANTRY \ SCOUTS' COMMENDABLE ACTIONS PRESENTATION OF AWARDS. “ The Boy Scouts are splendid potential assets and valuable reinforcements to the citizenship of the nation,” said Mr F. Milner, reptor of the Waitaki Boys’ High School 1 ’ in the course of an address to some GOO Boy Scouts in the Burns Hall last night, on the occasion of the presentation of silver crosses to Rover Scout T. Rennie and Patrol Leader Janies Mehalski and a certificate of merit to Patrol Leader G. M. Dodds for conspicuous gallantry in saving life. There was a largo attendance of the public, and a keen interest was evinced in the proceedings. The District Commissioner (Mr W. F. Meek) presided, mid detailed the circumstances of the three rescues.

“It does not often happen,” said the Commissioner, “ that three awards —two silver crosses and a certificate of merit—should fall to this district. The silver cross is the second highest award a Scout can gain for gallantry. The highest is the bronze cross, and this was awarded to a Dunedin Scout sonic years ago “ In the first instance Rover Scout Thomas Rennie, of the Ocean Beach Troop, has been awarded the silver cross. On January 30 a man entered the surf at St. Kilda, and after being in the water some time decided to swim parallel to the beach. At this stage he began to feel tired, and turned towards the shore, but to his dismay tound himself carried out by the undertow. He was unable to reach llio shore, but fortunately kept his head when he found himself in difficulties, and signalled for help. Scout Ronnie went in singlehanded, and after a considerable struggle managed to get him ashore. 1 have the rescued man’s own assurance that had it not been for such timely assistance he would have been drowned. “The second silver cross has been awarded to Patrol Leader James Mehalski, of the Green Island Troop. On April 19 a number of boys were playing at the Burnside dam at a very dangerous spot, when the youngest of three brothers fell down the steep side into the water. In the excitement three or four othe"s also fell in. Scout Mehalski entered the water and succeeded in getting the young boy out. Assistance arrived, and the others were rescued with the exception of two, who were unfortunately drowned. “ In the third case a certificate of merit has been awarded to Patrol Leader G. M, Dodds in recognition of his conduct at Mount Stuart in February. On this occasion a number oi boys were bathing in the stream. One fell in a deep hole, and was rescued by Scout Dodds. Although he did not risk his life his action showed that lie was carrying out the highest ideals of Scoutship and that ho was prepared to risk his life to save one of his follows.” (Applause.) The presentation of awards was made by Dr Marshall Macdonald, the resident member of the Dominion Council. Ho pinned the silver crosses on Scouts Rennie an Mehalski and presented the certificate to Scout Dodds. Each of the gallant boys was accorded a tremendous ovation, and at the conclusion of the ceremony three deafening cheers were given. In addressing those present Mr Milner said that ho counted it an honor and a privilege to be able to participate in such a ceremony. Ho could not claim to possess the credentials of an expert in Scout matters, but was a member of tho Dominion Council and also of the Oamaru Troop Committee. Ho felt pleased that the Commissioner had organised the movement in Dunedin so as to enlist public support and sympathy. With this it was hound to go ahead. Scouting was not only of civic, national, and Imperial importance, but of worldwide importance, and its rapid growth was a magnificent tribute to the conception of tho Chief Scout, Sir_ Baden Powell, whose ideas came to fruition as Into as 1908 Side by side with the Boy Scouts were tho Girl_ and both movements provided inspiration to those thinking of their citizenship. Scouting appealel to the boy’s instincts. The work of the Boy Scouts included training in health, handicraft, and service. How necessary it w<is that children should receive training in preservation of health and hygiene! Mr Milner pointed out how the average man of 45 found that ho was just pushing his way through his hair; that there was a slipping of his diaphragm; and that he could no longer enjoy an uninterrupted view of liis boots. Mhy should he be cursed with these neurasthenic and dyspeptic troubles? It was because he was dissociating himself from the course of life Nature hatl scfc down. Arclneological investigations had shown that when the world was young man had to fight for his life, and to do this he had to live in a natural condition in which he could copo with all the demands upon his strength and resistance. Unless the effects of modern life were combated they could not look forward to the production of the healthy typo of existence to meet the demands of modern life. The speaker looked forward,with confidence to tho extension_ of the health of mankind, and claimed that the Scout movement would bo closely associated with this.

Scouting made for service, one of tho grandest words in the English vocabulary. It taught boys to do things for others. It also made for loyalty, which connoted more than reverence and respect for the King and tho Empire. It promoted discipline, a quality which was needed at the present time, when so much selfishness of the untrained vonth. “You must remember,” continued Mr Milner, “ that in the Scout movement what you put into it gives you what you get out. One of tho grandest features of Scouting is that it emphasises the need of service. Scouting is the counterpart of Rotary, and is it any wonder that the Rotary clubs foster tbe movement throughout the world? This is especially noticeable in Dunedin, where the club has done much to support the movement. The Rotarinns raised £13,000 in Melbourne and £10,1)00 in Sydney recently for tbe Boy Scouts. These men aro hard-headed business men, and they would not take up such a project unless it were productive of great virtues of citizenship,” Mr Milner traced the rapid growth of the Boy Scout movement since its inception in 1903. In England alone 150.000 enrolled in two years within tho start of the movement. In New Zealand there were only 3,000 in 1922. Last year there were 9,000, and this year 10,000. There was also a corresponding number of Girl Guides. The Chief Scout’s conception had been copied and imitated by other nations, until 35 countries were also participating in tlie movement. “In conclusion,” said Mr Milner, “I would like to refer to one of tho wider aspects of the movement. You must remember that Soy Scouts of your equal are to he found in all parts of the world. Sir Baden Powell has instituted a chalet in Switzerland, an international school for Scoutmasters, where Scouts from all countries meet, fraternise, and develop a charitable understanding of tbe other fellow’s point of view.” (Applause.) Mr Milner was accorded a heart}' vote of thanks for his address. During the evening the Scouts and Cubs gave practical illustrations ' of their work in physical drill, semaphoring, and bridge building.