LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 4746, 14 September 1935, Page 4

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

VISIT BY FOUNDER. On Wednesday the Te Kuiti Legion of Frontiersmen, O Squadron, were honoured" by a visit from the founder Qf the organisation, Captain Roger Pocock, who has been on a tour of inspection of the various units throughout New Zealand as part of a world tour.

The founder, although 70 years of age, and suffering from extensive injuries to his feet due to frostbite when in Northern Canada as a member of the world-famous North West Mounted Police, is remarkably active and extremely observant. He was accompanied by the Commandant for New Zealand and met the officers of the local squadron, after which the party proceeded to Waitomo and visited both Waitomo and Aranui Caves, both of which were very greatly praised by Captain Pocock. On his return from Waitomo Captain Pocock was welcomed to Te Kuiti by the Mayor, Mr. Carroll, and representative citizens. Mr. Carroll remarked that Te Kuiti was the last frontier town in New Zealand.

Captain Pocock stated that he had visited a squadron of the Legion at Gisborne, which was the furthest east in the world, a squadron in Dunedin, the most southern in the world, and now he was visiting the squadron in the last frontier town in New Zealand.

The official party then proceeded to the Maori Pa where Mr. Tohe Searancke explained the meaning of the carvings and the history of the meeting house. Captain Pocock's wreath was placed on the Cenotaph, following his custom in other centres.

In the evening a meeting of 0 Squadron was held and it proved most instructive and enjoyable as Captain Pocock spoke for over an hour on the origin of the Legion of Frontiersmen and the activities of many of its distinguished members. A Bill is before the Home Parliament which will make it legal for uniforms to be worn by civilian organisations, limited to the Legion of Frontiersmen, Boy Scouts, and Salvation Army. The Legion is increasing in importance and numbers very rapidly, and is taking its place in world affairs. It welcomes the support of all loyal citizens and allows in its ranks those who are qualified by service or experience and measure up to its standards. The badge of the Legion, the familiar bronze button bearing the Union Jack, represents the frontiers of the Empire by its bronze background, the flag with its component parts, our Empire, and the words "God guard thee," which were taken from the Arabic inscription in General Gordon's ring after his massacre at Khartoum, ask for Divine protection for our Empire and Flag. During the evening the toasts of the King, the "Nine Thousand" and Captain Pocock were honoured. The official party left, for Auckland by the Limited on Thursday morning where Captain Pocock was met by a uniformed Legion guard of honour, after which he was given a civic reception and attended a luncheon of the British Empire League.