MATAMATA BOY SCOUTS.

Matamata Record, Volume XI, Issue 897, 9 February 1928, Page 4

MATAMATA BOY SCOUTS.

ILLUMINATED ADDRESS.

To Mr. and Mrs. H. Cleland.

Some months ago, prior to the departure of Mr. and Mrs. H. Cleland from Matamata for Wanganui, a farewell social evening was tendered in the Scouts’ Hall, when tributes were paid by many citizens to the excellent services so spontaneously rendered to the scout movement by Mr. and Mrs. Cleland.

The committee had arranged to present Mr. and Mrs. Cleland with an illuminated address, but the production was not out of the artist’s hands at that time.. Mr. and Mrs. Cleland have been down to Matamata for a few days, and, the address having arrived, occasion was taken to make the formal presentation of the same on Saturday night.

Although most people had had a tiring day at the races there was a good muster of the committee and supporters of the scout movement assembled at the hall, the president, Mr. T. Prowse, occupying the chair. Mr. Prowse r explained that as the sentiments of the people towards Mr. and Mrs. Cleland and family had already been expressed at a previous function, there would be no need to traverse the same ground again. They all knew that Mr. Cleland was the founder of the first Boy Scouts’ Band in Matamata. Later, on account of the boys leaving the district, the band lapsed for a time, but Mr. Cleland resuscitated it once more and despite many difficulties had brought it up to a very creditable standard. He had very great pleasure on behalf of the committee, and the troop, in presenting Mr. and Mrs Cleland with the illuminated address before him. The address, which was very beautifully designed, was centred among photographs of the band, both the original and present institutions, a photo of Mr. Cleland inset top centre, and panels containing the names of members of the old and present band. The address and signatures read as follows: — We, the Matamata Boy Scouts’ Band, Troop and the Committee, while regretting your departure from amongst us, feel that we cannot allow you to leave without expressing in some tangible form our high appreciation of your untiring zeal in the Boy Scout movement. As Bandmaster, you have always taken a most enthusiastic interest in the advancement of each boy in the Scout Band. This you have raised to the present state of efficiency, despite the fact that the elder boys have'gone into business ( or left the district, leaving to you the arduous task of training the younger boys to fill the vacancy. As a member of the Boy Scouts’ Committee, you have always taken a keen interest in the welfare and worked for the future success of the troop.

To you, Mrs. Cleland, we wish to express our gratitude for your generous help and assistance in all cases of emergency, and your ever-ready help in all troop entertainments. Though you are leaving the district we all hope that you may be able, occasionally, to re-visit Matamata. In bidding you farewell, we sincerely trust that health, happiness and prosperity may be with you both and your family in the years to come.

The address was signed as follows: —Joseph Price, ex-president; T. H. Prowse, president; Wm. E. Connolly, ex-scoutmaster; R. B. Simpson, scoutmaster. Upon receiving the presentation, Mr. Cleland expressed, on behalf of Mrs. Cleland and himself, their very great appreciation at the generous treatment accorded them. 1 The memento, which was a very fine artistic production, would be treasured by them and by their family after them. Mr. Cleland commented on the good progress the boys had made in the band, and said he was very pleased with their performance that day on the racecourse. He was also glad to see one of his old pupils, Roy White, was now leading the band. \ Cheers and musical honours followed in a most enthusiastic manner.

The following are the names of the members of the bands.—Old band, 1923: Rennie Howard, W. Tims, L. Robinson, W. Hitchcock, R. Collins, H. Blackburn, D. White, H. Me. Simpson, G. Jenkins, K. Vincent, J. J. Simpson, G. Prowse, Rev. W. E. Connolly (superintendent), J. Kennedy, Hugh Cleland (bandmaster), D. Cleland, T. Hill, R. B. Simpson, W. Morton. The present band, just prior to Mr. Cleland’s departui'e: H. Cleland (conductor), J. Flower, M. Ellery, A.

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Furniss, G. Caitcheon, J. Fussey, K. Cassey, R. B. Simpson (scoutmaster), A. Milne, Rogan G. Mclntyre, G. Prowse, R. White, C. Egan, R. Collins, M. Stewart, C. Quigg, R. Thompson, T. Donovan, R. Stewart, T. Ryan, J. J. Simpson and A. Quigg*