B.B. NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 25386, 13 September 1935, Page 9

B.B. NOTES

(By ‘

“Haversack.”)

“The Object of the Brigade shall be the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among Boys, and the promotion or habits of Obedience. Reverence. Discipline. Self-respect and all that tends towards a true Christian Manliness.

Ambulance Examination. The Fourths arc sitting their ambulance examination to-morrow night, Major Gibson, R.A.M.C, being the examiner. Two boys will sit for their second year badge and five for the first year certificate. “Our Mag.” “Haversack” acknowledges with thanks a copy of “Our Mag,” No. 25, published by the 112th London Company of the Boys' Brigade. It states in the editorial: “The cover is neat, artistic and attractive. We give you reports, stories, good clean humour, some regular features, coming events, helpful and inspiring articles, and all this for the modest sum of one penny.” The magazine is full of good things, perhaps the most striking is: “F. (Topper) Brown has now completed three years’ service in the company without an absence from either Bible Class or parade.” Another extract: “At our annual parade and church service over 200 boys attended—and what a service! From start to finish we had the glorious enthusiasm of youth. The singing, the speaking, and even the organ, seem to have caught the fire of the spirit of Victory.” Long life to “Our Mag.”— hope to receive further copies. Parents’ Social Evening. The 4th and sth Invercargill Companies held a most successful social evening in the Teviot Street Sunday School Hall on Monday evening. Over forty parents and friends gathered and a most enjoyable time was spent in games and competitions, while the ladies supplied the supper. The Life Boy leaders of the sth Invercargilll team, Mr C. Kerr and Miss H. Woollet, kept things going merrily. The officers of the companies desire to thank the leaders for their support and also express pleasure at the attendance of Pastor Stafford, chaplain of the sth Invercargill, Mr J. H. Boyd, president of the Battalion Council, and Mr W. R. Selwyn, the Life Boy Supervisor. Next week the mothers meet on Monday night in furtherance of their scheme to raise funds for the two companies. The Life Boys. The Southland Area Council met on Wednesday evening. Mr W. R. Selwyn presiding. It was decided to hold the combined demonstration in Stobo Hall, on October 1. A 8.8. Holiday. Staff-Sergeant E. Boyd and Private P. Boyd spent the school vacation in the north and took the opportunity of visiting different companies. In Christchurch they found Mr J. W. Clarke, former president of the Southland Battalion in good form. He has a company in connection with St. • Albans Presbyterian church. At Tinwald, Ashburton, the Rev. D. D. McLachlan, former captain-chaplain of Waikaka Valley, is already firmly established in his new parish, with a company of 24 8.8. boys and a good Life Boy team. He says that Ashburton will shortly be starting up. Good business, Messrs Clarke and McLachlan! Boyd brothers arrived back in Dunedin in time to attend the Otago-Southland association football match. It was a real Boys Brigade holiday. On Duty Again. We are pleased to welcome Mr S. Rizzie, lieutenant, 4th Invercargill, back to the city and, incidentally, to the parades of his company. Mr Rizzie has recently been working in the country and on his return during the week immediately reported for duty! Football. The Southland Battalion’s Association football team travelled to Dunedin on Saturday last under the charge of Mr W. Cathcart, captain 3rd Invercargill, and Mr J. W. Ridland, captain Ist Invercargill. Stops were made at Gore, Balclutha and Milton on the way to stretch legs and the travellers arrived in Dunedin in good time. The boys were distributed to their various billets and gathered again at Littlebourne ground at 2.30 p.m. for the match, which resulted in a win for Otago by 2 goals to nil. After the game the teams assembled at the Y.M.C.A. for tea. Mr Robert Duncan welcomed the Southlanders, Messrs Cathcart and Ridland replying and expressing the visitors’ appreciation for the hospitality extended and congratulating Otago on their win. One of the donors of the McMurdo-Smith Shield, Mr S. R. Smith, was present and presented the shield. As each battalion has won a game, the shield will be held by Southland for six months and by Otago for the following six months. It was decided that in future only one game a year be played. Otago Win. In a keenly-contested game Otago defeated Southland by 2 goals to 0 in the return soccer match between the respective battalions played at Littlebourne last Saturday (says “Chum” in the 8.8. Notes in the Dunedin Evening Star). After the match the two teams were entertained at the Y.M.C.A. as guests of the president of the Otago Battalion Council, Mr R. Duncan. Several officers of both battalions were present, and real 8.8. fellowship prevailed. In view of the combined camp to be held at the end of the year, the opportunity was given to renew friendships and further cement the cordial fellowship that should characterize relationships in The Boys’ Brigade. Christmas Camp. An informal meeting of officers was held at Dunedin on Saturday last to receive a report from Mr Boyd, president of the Southland’Battalion, on camp matters (reports "Chum” in the Evening Star). Mr Boyd gave a very full review of camp preparations, making it quite obvious that no trouble is being spared to secure a successful camp. A recommendation that the period of camp be extended to nine days was approved. It is also intended to give a concert on New Year’s Eve, and to issue general leave on the afternoon of New Year’s Day, when the professional sports meeting will be in progress at the domain. In order that we make a good showing in public,, the Otago Old Boys’ Band is to be invited, so that camp, will not be lacking on the musical side of the programme.

Keenness in Nigeria. The silver shield presented by the Dublin Battalion some years ago to the Nigerian 8.8. companies continues to be highly valued there, as the trophy for the annual competition in squad drill, which is a stimulus to healthy rivalry. The Ist Ijebu Company is composed of six sections in different towns, and in the preliminary round all sections entered a squad. As a result the Ogere and Ago sections went into the final on December 1 at Shagamu, challenged by the sth Lagos, who were officered by an ex-Staff-Sergeant

of the Ist Ijebu. It was this company’s first time of entering and they put up a very creditable show. The competition took place in an open field, and it was terrifically hot. Ago section were winners with 82 marks, followed by Ogere section 81, and sth Lagos 78. The shield was handed over to the winners, and all the companies present paraded round the field headed by the band, after which the Ago Section left for home with visions of the royal welcome awaiting them. Boys from the new Ist Agbowa Company, 26 miles away, walked over to ‘'learn how it was done.” Such is the tale from fardistant Nigeria, which goes to show that 8.8. keenness is the same all the world overt