SCOUT AND CUB CONCERT

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1934, Page 11

SCOUT AND CUB CONCERT

FAKE WELL TO MR. R. GIBBINS. OPENING OF. THE NEW HALL. There was a good attendance of parents and others interested in the Scouting movement in the Central school gymnasium at New Plymouth on Saturday night when, after a concert by. the Central troop and pack, Cubmaster R. Gibbins was farewelled before his departure for England, and the new Scout hall in the school grounds was opened officially by the district commissioner (Dr. D. E. Brown). The Girl Guide movement Was represented by the provincial commissioner (Mrs. D. K. Morrison), the district commissioner (Miss M. Berridge), and the provincial secretary (Miss Skinner). Scout officials present in addition to Dr. Brown were Major F. W. Sandford (group scoutmaster), Mr. Coleman (assistant-commissioner) and District Scoutmaster Hopkins. The concert programme was arranged, with the object of showing the results of the instruction given the boys, but it was presented in a manner that was entertaining and often highly amusing. The first performers were the C.ubs, who gave exhibitions of book-balancing on their heads, backward skipping and knot-tying, sang songs and gave the howl that vocally distinguishes the pack. Physical exercises by a patrol of Scouts who did not “follow their' leader” when his. back was turned were succeeded by an amusing display by a “back-to-frpnt squad. With faces covered, masks on the of their heads and uniforms reversed, the boys created an entertaining illusion by marching backwards and drilling backwards. Songs and recitations were given by the Scouts, after which the programme was concluded with a delightful exhibition of hand-bellringing by Scouts and Cubs under , the supervision of Mr. B. Roberts. The tunes included chimes, changes and hymns. After advising the Cubs and. Scouts of the importance of their work and influence not only on their own lives but also on those of others, Dr. Brown presented Mr. Gibbins with his warrant and wished him well wherever he might be in the future. Scouting, said Dr. Brown, was one of the most unselfish interests young men could have, but it carried a big responsibility, because cubmasters and scoutmasters were dealing-with boys : at their most impressionable age. They knew that the results of their, influence and the training they imparted would make themselves apparent in the lives' of the boys in years to come. While there was satisfaction in knowing that, it placed on cub and scoutmasters a great responsibility. Dr. Brown paid a tribute to the work of Mr. Gibbins among the Cubs.

Mr. Gibbins expressed regret at leaving the Central troop and said he had always been keenly interested in the work. Cheers were given by the boys for Mr. Gibbins.

Dr. Brown also presented a warrant to Scoutmaster Croker. Dr. Brown thanked members of the Scout committee and the Home and School Association for what they had done in making that evening’s gathering possible and over.,a, period of years. After being presented with a key by Major Sandford, Dr. Brown opeend the Scout hall, which was then inspected by the parents and others interested in the movement.

The remainder of the evening was occupied by a carnival dance in’the gymnasium and a five hundred tournament in the school. Both were conducted by the Home and School Association, which will present the proceeds to the Scout funds' There was a very large attendance at the dance, during which prizes were presented for a Monte Carlo waltz and a mystery Gay Gordons. Music was provided by Martin’s orchestra and supper was served ’by the ladies df the association. Mesdames F. and T. Jones supervised the five hundred toum'ament