EMPIRE CHIEF SCOUT WELCOMED BY YOUNG ASSEMBLY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22868, 11 February 1949, Page 6

EMPIRE CHIEF SCOUT WELCOMED BY YOUNG ASSEMBLY

One of the largest assemblies of Scouts, Sea Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Brownies in the district for some time, greeted the Empire Chief Scout, Lord Rowallan, when he spoke to district groups at what proved to be an all-too-short visit to the Gisborne Scout headquarters yesterday morning. There was also a number of the general public present. Lord Rowallan was welcomed by the Mayor, Mr. N. H. Bull, Mr. L. GreyBarton, president of the East Coast Scout Council, Mr. A. Blackburn, Scout county commissioner, and Mrs. L. Balfour, provincial Guide commissioner. Impressive Guard of Honour Chosen representatives of Land Scouts. Sea Scouts and Guides formed an impressive guard of honour with colour parties for the Empire Chief Scout, lining the entrance to the drive. Lord Rowallan inspected the guard of honour, spending some time with individual Scouts arid Guides before proceeding up the drive. At the entrance to the Scout Hall, Carnarvon street, Lord Rowallan was greeted bv a haka of welcome by a troop of Ruatoria Scouts. The visitor expressed his pleasure at the welcome and later congratulated each boy personally. The same troop tendered him a farewell haka. “We regret that your stay will be so short in Gisborne, but we trust that your next visit will be longer,” said the Mayor, in Welcoming Lord Rowallan. “Our Commonwealth is very fortunate that it has men such as the Empire Chief Scout who will devote time and energy to the welfare of the young,” concluded Mr. Bull. The day would be a day which would live in the memories of all those present. said Mr. Blackburn. Movements Welded Together Gisborne had recently been fortunate in having a visit from Lady BadenPowell. Now that Lord Rowallan had visited the town the Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Brownies would be welded even closer together. He extended a welcome to Gisborne on behalf of the district Scouts and Cubs. Speaking on behalf of the Guides of the district, Mrs. Balfour said she felt particularly honoured to welcome Lord Rowallan. The visit of such people made district Scouts and Guides realise that they were members of a very large family. Peace in the world would only come through the individual and she felt that the teaching given to the Scouts and Gmdes would promote this feeling for peace.. Mr. L. Grey Barton also extended a welcome to Lord Rowallan on behalf of the East Coast Scout Council. The

visit •'*' the Empire Chief Scout would doubtless stimulate a great deal of interest in the movement throughout the district, he said. “My parish is a very big me and it takes me a long time to get around it. However, I am going to come back to Gisborne and pay you a longer visit, I hope, as soon as I have covered the rest of my territory,” said Lord Rowallan, in thanking the Mayor for his welcome. (Applause.) Message From His Majesty

A message from the King expressing his disappointment that he would not be able to see the Scouts and Guides of New Zealand for some time was conveyed by Lord Rowallan. He also delivered a message of greeting to the Guides and Brownies from Lady Baden-Powell. There were 4,500,000 Scouts and Cubs in the world today and nearly as many Guides and Brownies. That meant that a very large number of boys and girls were doing a good turn every day, said Lord Rowallan, who recounted incidents during his tour of the Empire. Stories of courage and endurance by Scouts in Europe and Asia and other occupied countries were numerous, said Lord Rowallan, who pointed out that these Scouts had risked their lives daily to keep their Scout promise. Scouting Under War Oppression “The bravest of the brave shake with the left hand,” was an old saying, but one that had been very true applied to all Scouts at all times. There was need for courage just as much today as in time of war, continued the visitor. The courage of those men who had kept Scouting alive even in concentration camps during the war was the courage for which all Scouts should strive. At the conclusion of the formal proceedings, Lord Rowallan spent an hour moving about the troops and companies, speaking individually to most Scouts and Guides and being particularly anxious to meet those with their First Class badges. Later he informally addressed Scouters and Guiders, giving an inspiring address on leadership within the movement, before leaving for the Masonic Hotel for lunch.