BOY SCOUTS

Southland Times, Issue 20665, 22 April 1929, Page 4

BOY SCOUTS

THE GORE TROOP.

PRESENTATION OF FLAG.

(From Our Correspondent.)

An interesting function took place at the Gore Public School on Friday evening when the Gore troop of the Boy Scouts under District Commissioner Captain E. Selby was presented with a Union Jack by the Gore Returned Soldiers’ Association, which was largely responsible for the resuscitation of the. movement, in Gore some months ago. Among those present were representatives of the executive of the Gore R.S.A., members of the Scouts Committee and the Gore Rotary Club.. Mr W. D. Shelton, president. of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, in handing over the flag to Mr E. ,C. Smith, chairman of the Scouts Committee, said that the association was keenly interested in the Scout movement and was very pleased that it had been resuscitated in Gore. It was a very pleasant memory , to the people of Gore to recall (he very fine work done by the Boy Scouts during the influenza epidemic in 1918, when by carrying food to those stricken they had rendered an invaluable service to the town. He hoped and believed that the present troop would emulate the fine example set by the scouts of that time. It was a pleasure to the returned soldiers of the district to remember that the Boy Scouts were then led by the late Lieutenant Little, who was well beloved and who held the loyalty of the scouts under him. They were also very proud of their present commissioner, Captain Selby, under whom he believed the movement would prosper. The association was greatly indebted to Miss R. I. V. Atiken, who had mounted the flag so well and also to the Gore Rotary Club for presenting the straps. Mr E. C. Smith .-’aid that, it gave him very much pleasure to accept the flag generously gifted by the association. It was a kindly'thought on the part of the association to make the presentation and one that would be highly valued by the troop. Whatever had been done by the scouts in the past had been done gladly and past leaders had given splendid service in the interests of the movement. Il was largely due to the interest taken in the movement by the Returned Soldiers’ Association and other people that the troop had been resuscitated in Gore. Mr Smith said that he would also like to pay a tribute to the present commissioner, Captain Selby, who had the welfare of the boys at heart. The lads were willing and keen and if that spirit continued the Gore troop would become of increasing usefulness in the community- as time went-on. Mr Smith then explained to the troop the meaning of the flag which stood for loyalty, unity and service. The colour party then marched upon the flag, Mr Smith placing if in the hands of the colour bearers after which the parade stood' to attention and sang the National Anthem. Three cheers were given by the troop for the Returned Soldiers’ Association and Rotary Club, and for Miss R. 1. V. Aitken.