WELCOME BACK

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 79, Issue 7146, 16 December 1949, Page 4

WELCOME BACK

TO MR T. G. BURCHELL SCOUT AND ROVER FUNCTION There was a small gathering of Scouts and Rovers in the Damien Rover Scout Den in George Street, last Monday night, to welcome back Tuffy Burchell to the Rover crew and to hear his experiences while he was at the World Rover Moot in Norway and during his hitch-hiking tour of the continent. Prior to his address, Mr Burchell was given a warrant authorising him as leader of the, Damien Scout Crew. The warrant was signed by Lord Rowallan, International Leader and by Governor-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C., Chief Scout for New Zealand. The warrant was stated to have been won by service, conduct and diligence to the cause of scouting. First aid warrants were also presented to Messrs Burchell, E. L. G. Smith and B. Reardon.

During his address, Mr Burchell described how scouting broke down barriers and created friendships among scouts from nations which had formerly been enemies. The Moot in Norway opened with an air of suspicion created among Scouts whose countries had fought each other, but the air was soon dispelled and camaradie, fellowship and understanding took its place. Everyone mixed freely and the spirit of Scouting prevailed throughout. A la*e number of photographs taken in Britain, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Norway and at other parts of the journey round the world by Mr Burchell were handed around during the evening and gave everyone an idea of the background and type of country through which Mr Burchell and other scouts had passsed through in their travels. Supper was served to conclude the evening, Rovers acting as hosts to the other Scouts and visitors.