Feilding Scoutmaster Honoured

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 196, 19 August 1941, Page 8

Feilding Scoutmaster Honoured

PRESENTATIONS PROM SCOUTS AND COMMITTEE

On the eve of returning to camp to render another yet more serious service for his country, Scoutmaster Alec Patterson, of the Feilding troop, was last evening honoured by scouts, cubs and citizens at a gathering at the scout den in MacArthur Street. Air. L. W. Penhey (chairman of the Kowhai group committee) presided and was supported by the Mayor (Mr. T. L. Seddon), Messrs. W. E. Carthew (chairman of the executive), A. G. Buist (secretary of the executive), Rev. W. L. Low (Scoumaster), E. J. (“Ted”) Street (Group Scoutmaster, Marton), Scoutmistress Molly Milner (Palmerston North) and Assistant Scoutmasters J. Ward, F. Rubery and J. Hogan (Marton). There was an attendance of *0 scouts and 21 cubs as well as parents. Recalling that in his boyhood days ho was a scout, the Mayor spoke in praise of the movement and eulogised the work of those responsible for the line Feilding troop. He paid a warm tribute to the work of the guest of the evening and he wished to acknowledge the indebtedness of citizens to Mr. Patterson for the excellent work he had done for the boys of P'eilding. Mr. Seddon know that the qualities that had made Mr. Patterson a good scout would also mako him a good soldier. (Applause). Ue wisned aim God speed and a safe return. Mr. Carthew said that the guest haa been associated with scouting in Feilding for the past 10 or 12 years and tnc committee was grateful to nim for the tact that, while the scout movemont was in recess, lie Kept the cub movement very much alive, and it was largely due to his efforts that scouting was revived in the town. Mr. PattorBon had always boon a good scout, possessing the confidence* of the committee and tho esteem and regard of tne scouts ho had led. He had always put first things first and set an example to his young charges. All regretted his departure and wished him God speed and a safe return. On behalf of the citizens’ committee, Mr. Carthew then presented the guest with a fountain pen and pencil. (Applause.) Mr. Buist added his testimony to the excellence of the service rendered by Mr. Patterson. Tho splendid den possessed by the scouts to-day was entirely due to the efforts and untiring enthusiasm of Mr. Patterson and he Knew that the scouts and cubs would ever remember him. i * Keep smiling and say your prayers,” concluded Mr. Buist. The chairman endorsed the sentiments of the previous speaKers and said that the greatest testimony to Mr. Patterson’s enthusiasm was the making and provision of the splendid den. Without tho assistance of Mr. Patter son scouts would have been without the facilities they now possessed for their rallies. Ho tffen handed Mr. Patterson a leather writing comxmnion as a gift from scouts and parents and expressed the hope that he would be back among his troop before very many months passed. (Applause.) Group Scoutmaster Street, formerly Scoutmaster of tho Feilding troop, also paid a tributo to the enthusiasm for scouting of Mr. Patterson and recalled that Mr. Patterson had represented Feilding at tho Melbourne Jamboree along with the speaker and other scouts. He went on to refer to tho Rover troop, which was formed in Feilding, and mentioned that most of the members were now overseas with tho forces. At Trentham a Rover troop had been formed and Mr. Patterson would be joining that and later hoped to join up with the troop formed overseas under the direction of the Rev. Hyde, known to the scouts as 1 ‘Lion Heart.”

Rev. Low and Seoutmistress Milner also spoke of Mr. Patterson’s excellent work. Acknowledging tho giftß Scoutmaster Patterson abjured the scouts and cubs to ever remember the ideals of scouting and to over try and perform a good deed each day. He reminded the boys that charity begon at homo and it was there that they should set about doing their good deed first. Ho wished them well and hoped to be back among them once again soon. (Applause.) A number of the scouts and cubs then gave items in honour of their scoutmasters. Scoutmaster E. J. Street will take over the troop during Scoutmaster Patterson’s absence.