LARGE SCOUT RALLY

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1935, Page 7

LARGE SCOUT RALLY

GATHERING AT NEW PLYMOUTH. VISIT OF COLONEL WALTON. Large numbers of Scouts and Cubs representing all the troops and packs m the New Plymouth district gathered m St. Mary’s HaU last night to welcome Colonel Walton, chief commissioner in Britain for Rover Scouts. Colonel Walton, accompanied by Mrs. Walton, is touring New Zealand and inspecting Scout troops as a deputy for the Chief Scout, Lord Baden-Powell, wfao is visiting only the four main centres. After Colonel Walton and Commissioner Abbot, Auckland, who is accompanying him, had inspected the Scouts and Cubs, the camp fire was declared open by Scoutmaster Berry. A song of welcome was sung and Dr.’ D. E. Brown, district commissioner, introduced the visitors. He expressed the hope that next time Colonel Walton visited New Plymouth he would be able to inspect two or three Rover crews. It was unfortunate, he said, that the Chief Scout himself could not visit the town,-but as he was only a few days off his 78th birthday it was impossible for him to travel too extensively. Commissioner Abbot pointed out that there were at present 2,750,000 Scouts m the world and said he had difficulty in imagining such a great number of boys. He passed on from the fraternal Scouts of Auckland all best wishes. When he and Mrs. Walton left Enganld in October, said Colonel Walton, one of their greatest wishes was to visit the part of New Zealand where Major Sandford lived. They had seen him at many jamborees and hoped to see him at many more. In company with Lord and Lady Baden-Powell they first went to Gibraltar, where they were welcomed by a great number of Sea Scouts. Next they visited France, where they attended huge rallies of Scouts and Guides. In Egypt they were again greeted by great gatherings and as they sailed up the Suez Canal a signal of welcome was flashed to them. One of the most impressive displays of the tour was at Colombo, where Scouts gathered from all parts of Ceylon. The activities bf each district were represented. Some scouts marched by with hoes, while some were wearing the old costumes of the country. The Melbourne jamboree, he said, was wonderful. Scouts from 18 countries were present, and there were large contingents from Great Britain, Japan, Canada, and the United States. The different national displays were very interesting. Colonel Walton conveyed to those present a message from the Chief Scout. The Chief, he said, would soon be celebrating his 78th birthday and had seen thousands of scouts r£e up around him in the last twenty years. His message to them was, “Good luck to you all and good camping.” Mr. Berry asked the Colonel to convey to the Chief Scout best wishes from all present. Cheers for the visitors were given.