SCOUT CONCERT

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 4, 14 June 1928, Page 5

SCOUT CONCERT

On Monday, 18th Joine, there will bo given in King George Theatre, Lower Hutt, by the Petone Benefit Entertainers, a concert in aid of the Firfst Lower Hutt and the Boys' Home Troops.

Both these troops are well worthy of public support. The Ist troop is that organisation which has been in existence in Lower Hutt since 1915, and has during that time carried on good work among boys of all classes and creeds. Over six hundred boys, many of whom are now holding responsible positions, have passed through the troop, and speak in terms of praise of the good training they "received under the scout master and his assistants.

For many years past, the work of the troop was hampered by the lack of accommodation, the meeting rooms being frequently changed, and always inconvenient. It was a common sight at one time to see the scoutmaster and a few boys, laden with the impedimenta for the meeting, setting out about seven o'clock in the evening for the Meeting place, carrying flags, ambulance gear, books, badges, etc., all of which had to be kept at the Scoutmaster's residence. At the end of 1926, the Committee decided that the Scoutmaster's duty was to train the boys, not to act as a beast of burden so it was de'eided to push ahead with a project to build a scout hall. The Borough Council allotted a piece of land in Strand Park, and many efforts were ma9e to raise the necessary money to build the hall itself. Owing to the1 foresight of the -committee, a soldier's hut at Featherston Camp was purchased, out into sections, brought down to Lower Hutt and erected. 'Since then, gas and electric light have been installed, a complete1 system, of modern drainage including a septic tank has been added, while the whole building has been painted. These improvements have been carried out in order that the boys may meet under the best possible conditions, but to do this, the committee has had to borrow money which it is anxious to pay back so that it will be out of debt. Some two hundred pommds iaTe still needed, and the public is asked to assist this project by attending the concert on Monday night.

The Boys' Home Troop is a new organisation so fax as scouting is concerned, and depends entirely upon public support for its existence. In such an institution even the boys' uniforms must be .purchased from donations received. The proceeds •of the concert will be evenly divided between the Boys' Home Troop and the Ist Lower Hutt Troop.