THE SEA SCOUTS

Southland Times, Issue 22934, 6 July 1936, Page 2

THE SEA SCOUTS

Flag Presented To Jellieoe Patrol An interesting and impressive ceremony took place in the Museum Hall on Saturday evening when, before an attendance of parents and friends, his Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller) presented the troop flag to the Jellieoe patrol of the Sea Scouts. In his introductory remarks, the president (Mr D’Arcy Palmer) expressed pleasure at seeing in the gathering so many of Invercargill’s leading citizens. He said that the Sea Scout movement was not very well known in Invercargill, but he hoped that in the future its true worth would be more generally realized. Mr Palmer went on to say that this movement was different from the ordinary scout training, in that every member was required to have a knowledge of nautical matters—swimming, rowing and other branches of aouatics were all encouraged. The troop had been founded in 196 J by Mr Lex Wilson and the boys had used his boat and his boatshed for training purposes, said Mr Palmer. 3n Mr Wilson’s departure the work had been carried on for a short time by Mr George Robb. It was then that the troop had broken away from the Gladstone patrol, and became a separate entity. Since Mr Robb’s departure Mr T. H. Jenkin had carried on as scoutmaster, assisted by Mr J. Salter, who had had a naval training. „ “Despite generous donations,’ concluded Mr Palmer “the troop is badly in need of a second boat and more nautical gear.” Warrant Presented. The Commissioner (Mr G. E. T. Dorman) then presented Mr Jenkin with his warrant from the New Zealand Chief Commissioner of Scouts, and read a letter from the Chief Commissioner to the gathering. A short display was given by the patrol, in a boat marked out with white tape and having a steering wheel at one end, an anchor and cable at the other. Stars for one year’s service and two years’ service and able seamen’s badges were then presented. This ceremony was followed by an exhibition by the boys of tying knots, the use of the belts, lanyards and scarves they wore and the naming ot various parts of the vessel. The coxswains then took their crews for practice and members of the troop sent out semaphone messages. His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller) then presented the handsome troop flag, the gift of the boys’ parents, to Coxswain Palmer, who. handed it over to Coxswain M. Jenkin. The ceremony was brought to a close by the Ven. Archdeacon Lush, who offered up a scout prayer.