HOME AGAIN

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 283, 14 November 1929, Page 5

HOME AGAIN

BOY SCOUTS WELCOMED * LARCE CROWD ON HASTINGS PLATFORM. ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES. Despite the fact that the mail train was an hour and twenty minutes late in arriving in Hastings with the Hawke's Bay Boy Scouts on their way to their respective homes, a crowd of some 500 people, composed of the parents and friends of the local lads who were returning home, a considerable contingent of juveniles, both boys and girls, as well as a large gathering of the public generally, assembled on the railway platform to greet the tourists, but especially to give a welcome to Scout Miki Hull (Hastings), a son of Mr. F. J. Hull, manager of the Bank of N.S.W., and Roy Joll (Havelock North), son of Mr. J. H. Joll, president of the H.B. Fanners’ Upion. Some eighty of the local Scout troops assembled with their banners

under Scout Inspector B. Dunlop, including the Hastings Troop (District Scoutmaster Dutton), Havelock North (Scoutmaster Lay), and Frimley (Scoutmaster Drummond). Commissioner J. D. Johns ■ and Scoutmaster F. E. Long, boys’ work director of the Napier Y.M.C.A., were also in attendance, and as the train steamed in the local boys executed a haka of welcome, which was acknowledged in kind. Commissioner J. D. Johns, on behalf of the Boy Scouts, extended the returning lads a hearty welcome home. They had had a great experience, he said, had spent a wonderful time in England, which he believed would have a beneficial influence on their future. Undoubtedly the assemblage of so many Scouts from different nations and of different colours, would do a great deal towards establishing a world peace. The Scouts and the people of the province were proud that Hawke’s Bay had been represented at the historic jamboree, and both the Scouts and the public were glad to welcome them home again (applause). COMMISSIONER COOKSEY’S REPLY. Commissioner Cooksey who was in charge of the boys, expressed the thanks of the returned lads for the heartiness of the welcome accorded them. They had a wonderful experience in England, where the Scout movement was taken very seriously. In England the Scout organisation not only included boys, but men. It

was not only a boys’ movement, but an organisation in which men—big men, men with influence and wealth - —went in and showed their practical interest by doing Scoiits’ work with the boys. It was quite inspiring, and it demonstrated how the Scout, ideal had captured the imagination, not only of the general public but of the practical men of business. That was what the Scout movement stood for in England, and it would be their endeavour to increase the enthusiasm for the Boy Scouts in New Zealand, to bring the movement to the front, and to establish it as a vital factor in the education of our rising manhood. “We were accorded,” he said, “the warmest hospitality in the Homeland, where the people took us to their homes as if we were their own sons. The boys and their officers are coming back with the purpose of forwarding the movement and of giving it its due status, so as to. implant in our boyhood character, the spirit of service, and the desire for the good of our country generally (loud applause). We have already been held up too long by a blockage on the line, so I won’t detain you any longer, except to say that, in the near future, I will take the opportunity of giving you a more detailed description of our extremely interesting and instructive visit to the Mother Country.” (Applause). Commissioner Cooksey then called for cheers for the Hastings and district Scouts, which were heartily given. Commissioner Johns called for cheers for the returned Scouts, which was loudly responded to.

HASTINGS BOYS Wi'TZ'OMED AT Y.M.C.A. The Hastings and Havelock North lads, Scouts Hull and Joll, were then marched with local Scouts to the Y'.M.C.A. rooms, whepe they were welcomed on behalf of the citizens by the Deputy Mayor (Mr. R. Henderson) who, in a short address, expressed his entire approval of the great foundation work laid by the Scout organisation and his belief that its influence would be world-wide in the teaching of service and in promoting peace and goodwill among the nations. He hoped the movement would continue to progress and prosper, because its purpose deserved the support of everyone who desired the welfare of his country (applause). The two young travellers, as well as their brother Scouts of the local troops, were hospitably entertained, and at the conclusion of the repast they dispersed homewards. COMMISSIONER COOKSEY’S MESSAGE. Commissioner R. H. Cooksey, who was in charge of the New Zealand contingent of Boy Scouts at the great International Jamboree, delivers the following message to New Zealand on behalf of the boys who represented the Dominion at the gathering of the nations’ boyhood:— “We are all glad to be back in New Zealand, but very sorry to break up. We intend keeping together as much as possible and hope to have an annual reunion. The trip has been a wonderful success and we have ail

returned with a determination to put Scouting where it should be in New Zealand. The public have got to realise that it is one of the biggest influences for good which has ever spread over the world. We have seen it working in all classes. Some of the biggest men in England are in it and there are no ornaments among them. They all get into their shirts and shorts and work with the boys, because they recognise what a big thing Scouting is. We hope to have our Chief with us in about 12 months. To meet him is to understand why this movement has such a hold on the nations. The Jamboree was a miracle of the mind ; I have never felt a more cheery and uplifting atmosphere in my life, and I know this is shared by all. Except for one case of appendicitis and a case of water on the knee, we have kept very fit. The kindness of the people of England was wonderful and all have returned with a very clear understanding of the word ‘Home.’ The whole trip has been a inspiring experience, and I feel sure will be of great value, both to the boys and to New Zealand. We must have the help of all classes and we want men of vision to come forward and take up the work. It is a great responsibility and must only be taken up by those who have the welfare of our boys and future of our country at heart.”

NAPIER'S WELCOME

BIG CROWD GREETS THE BOYS

Loud cheers and a haka of welcome made the Napier railway station ring last evening when the mail train pulled in. after having beep delayed for about an hour and a-half through a mishap down the line. The display was by way of greeting to the Napier contingent of Boy Scouts, fresh from the excitements of the International Jamboree at Home. Over. 100 of then fellow Scouts from the Napier and Puketapu troops were there to wel come the wanderers home, as well as a large crowd of adults. After the tumult had subsided Mr. W. D. Johns, Acting Commissioner of the Hawke's Bay Scout District, in the unavoidable absence oi the Mayor, Mr. J. V. B;own, extended a hearty welcome and said he was sure that the Scout movement in Ne« Zealand would benefit considerably as a result of tho visit to England. Commissioner Cooksey replied on behalf of his boys and thanked those who were the means of enabling the Scouts and himself to have the most wonderful trip of their lives, when they realised fully what Scouting really meant.

The Chief Scout had told him, said Mr. Cooksey, that he intended coming to New Zealand, as it was one of the finest spots in the world, and he wanted to see this country ranking first in the Scouting lands. The boys’ behaviour on the tour left nothing to be desired, although occasionally, “boys being boys,” said the Cuuiaussioaer, they got jute tuis-

chief, but this had caused no anxiety whatever. Before the boys were whirled away by relatives and friends they gave their haka of welcome, which they had made famous on their trip, and three cheers for Bob Hauriki, the sole representative of the Maori race at the Jamboree.