BOYS’ BRIGADE

Southland Times, Issue 23227, 16 June 1937, Page 13

BOYS’ BRIGADE

VISIT OF DOMINION PRESIDENT (By HAVERSACK) The president of the New Zealand Dominion • Council of The Boys Brigade, Mr F. Scott Miller, of Wellington, paid a visit to the Southland Battalion during the week-end. Mr Miller was formerly an officer of the Ist Glasgow Company, the first company of the movement, founded in 1883. He recently returned to New Zealand after an extended visit to Great Britain. Mr Miller arrived at Gore on Friday afternoon and was the guest of the officers of the 6th Southland Company. He also spoke to the officers of the 2nd (Waikaka) and 3rd (Wakaka Valley) companies over the telephone. Local problems were discussed and a very profitable time was spent. Mr Miller came to Invercargill by the evening express and was met on the Invercargill station by the president of the Southland Battalion (Mr J. H. Boyd) and several officers. A guard of honour was formed outside the station and was inspected by the visitor. On Saturday morning he met the executive of the Southland Battalion Council in Stobo Hall, when administrative matters were discussed. There was a full attendance of members, and Mr Miller was able to clear up some questions asked by the executive. In the afternoon Riverton was visited and the captain (the Rev. A. Macfarlane), Lieutenant C. Cassels, and the boys of the sth Southland Company paraded. Mr Macfarlane said that the Riverton company was the furthest south unit of The Boys’ Brigade in the world. After Mr Miller had addressed the boys, afternoon tea was provided. Mr Miller presented an ambulance certificate won by Corporal Hunter and spoke of The Boys’ Brigade in the Old Country. INVERCARGILL COMPANY INSPECTED

As the majority of the Invercargill companies meet on Saturday evenings, a tour of inspection was arranged. The companies were visited in the following order: 3rd, Ist, 7th, 2nd and 4th. At each hall Mr Miller inspected the boys, was given a short demonstration of their work and in return gave a few words of advice and complimented the boys on turning out in such bad weather. Mr Miller conducted the First Church Young Men’s Junior Bible class on Sunday morning. A meeting of Southland officers was held at the president’s home on the Sunday afternoon. There was a good attendance and Mr Miller gave an excellent address, taking as his subject “Esprit de Corps.” He defined this as “a mixture of loyalty, enthusiasm, pride and honour for a company.” He made the following points:—(l), Be loyal, enthusiastic, proud of the company and yourself and expect the boys to be likewise; (2), get a catch phrase going and don’t forget the Boys’ Brigade handshake; (3), address the company by name; (4), seek out what your company, excels in and advertise it; (5), a clean uniform is the first step towards a smart company; (6), aim at high attendances, expect to get results, and let the boys know it; (7), give praise and criticism in equal parts; (8), loyalty is the bread of love. If you want loyalty you must have affection for the boys and thus get loyalty from them. An all-round discussion followed and much useful information was gained by all. CHURCH PARADE ( After tea, which was provided by Mr and Mrs Boyd, a church parade was held to St Paul’s Church. The colour party was provided by the 4th Southland Company (Edendale). The Rev. C. J. Tocker preached an inspiring sermon on “Daniel—his loyalty and courage.” Mr Miller read the lesson and Private Ewan McEwan sang “The Jubilee Song.” After church Mr Miller met the boys in St. Paul’s Sunday school, following which a talk took place with the Life Boy leaders. On Monday morning Mr Miller visited Bluff and he returned north by the afternoon's express. Mr Miller’s visit will long be remembered by officers of the Southland Battalion and did much to foster a spirit of fellowship between Southland and headquarters. 8.8. WEEK After representations to Mr Miller it was agreed that Southland take part In the 8.8. Week effort on the two-thirds -one-third basis, Southland keeping two-thirds of the proceeds and onethird going to headquarters. It is possible that the week will be held a month later, from August, in Southland be-

cause of the epidemic causing a late start. 2ND SOUTHLAND COMPANY The following report has been received from Sergeant Jack McQueen, company secretary, 2nd Southland Company.—“ The company meets every Saturday night in the Waikaka hall. The 1937 session opened on April 10 with 10 boys present. Now, after seven meetings, we have 16 members. Our chief drawback is lack of instructors. We have at present two classes —wayfarers, conducted by Captain F. Milne, and a signallers’ class, conducted by the company sergeant. These are making good progress and we are hoping to see some receiving certificates at the end of the year. The boys are keen and their conduct on the whole is good. This year the company chaplain, the Rev. T. G. Campbell, is giving us talks on ‘Missionaries and Mission Work.’ This series began last Saturday with a talk on the Rev. W. V. Milne, the missionary who was recently murdered in the New Hebrides. On Coronation Sunday, the company had a church parade in conjunction with the local company of The Girls’ Brigade. This was very successful and the two companies, led by the colours, made quite an impressive sight. The boys attend very well, considering that some have a long distance to go. One boy travels five and a-half miles and others three to three and a-half miles, and have not missed a parade yet, despite the rough weather we have had recently. It speaks well for the’ esprit de corps that this company carries on.” Mr W. R. Selwyn will give a talk on The Boys’ Brigade from 4ZP tomorrow night at 7.30. The 2nd Invercargill Company beat the 3rd Invercargill Company by three goals tj one at Association football on Saturday. Crawford scored all three goals for the winner and H. Bennies scored for the Thirds.

In future The Boys’ Brigade notes will appear in the Southland Times on Wednesdays.