JUBILEE BANQUET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22826, 10 March 1936, Page 7

JUBILEE BANQUET

OCEAN BEACH SCOUT TROOP TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY There was an attendance of approximately 150 at a banquet held in the Ocean Beach Scout Hall, St. Kilda, last evening to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the formation of the Fifth Dunedin (Ocean Beach) Boy Scout Group. Ihe function, which was the first of several gatherings to be held in connection with the celebrations, was arranged mainly for past and present members of the Parents’ Committee and old Scouts, and the chairman (Mr J. D. Todd) presided. Proposing the toast “The Scout Movement,” Mr W. Pallor said the movement was a great one, and one with a hidden purpose. It was a man-making concern. Mr Pullnr gave a brief resume of the growth of the Scout movement, which, he said, was a method of conveying morality to youth; it was a moral set to games, and it was a method of bringing to hoys through their play, what many institutions were trying to bring to them in other ways. Replying to the toast, Mr A. Martin (metropolitan comni'ssioner) conveyed the congratulations of headquarters to the troop on attaining its twenty-fifth anniversary. The chief object of the Scout movement, he said, was to make boys with character. It was said that once a Seoul always a Scout, and if all those who had passed through the troop in the 25 years of its existence had lived up to the promises they had made as Scouts what u wonderful community it would be. There was no doubt, however, that many of them had lived up to those promises, and were to-day appreciating what thev had learned while in the troop. Mr C. IT. Wing, Mr C. E. Richards, and Mr MTlierson also responded to the toast. Mr Wing said he was sure the movement did try tp teach the boys ol to-day to be good citizens. Mr Richards congratulated the troop on attaining its silver jubilee. He felt sure that if the world were peopled with Scouts there would bo nothing to fear. Mr M'Pherson congratulated the troop on behalf of the Rotary Club. He considered that the Scout movement and kindred associations would eventually be one of the greatest factors in bringing about international peace. Mr T. D. R. Patterson proposed the toast, “Past Scouts and Cubs of Ocean Beach,” and said that it was very pleasing to see so many old members of the troop present and taking such a keen interest i_n the celebrations. Responding to the toast, Mr R. Moore, who was connected with the troop for a number of years, said he thought there was a great opportunity at the present time to form an Old Scouts’ Association in the troop. “A fine body of boys which deserved the support of all the parents.” was how Kir C. do R. Andrews described the troop when proposing the toast “Present Scouts and Cubs of Ocean Beach.” He traced the history of the troop, and concluded by saying that he was very proud of it ajid its officers. Senators A. KPCallnm. R. Matt and J. Fergus responded to the toast. Kir W, F. Meek proposed the toast “The Parents’ Committee.'’ He said that Ocean Beach bad always been fortunate in having an energetic committee. ’I be committee had always beep strong numerically and every member of the group committed had dona wonderful

work for the Scout movement in the district. The committee had looked after ite troop, and had worked wonders. He felt sure, however, that the members of the committee had had their reward in the excellent results attained, and the knowledge that they had been doing something for the boys. The toast was responded to by Mrs W. Pullar and the chairman. Mrs Pullar said the parents had given of their best for the boys, and had spent many happy hours in giving it. Kir Todd said he was greatly honoured in being chairman of the committee on the occasion ot the troop’s silver jubilee. Tic paid a tribute to the work of the other members of the committee, all of whom had done their best for the boys. The toast. “Our Chaplains.’ was proposed by Mr J. Loraine, and the Revs G. L. Taylor, T. Skuse, and R. iscott Allan responded. A number of items was given.