BOY SCOUTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12066, 23 July 1917, Page 5

BOY SCOUTS.

PRESENTATION OF SHIELDS. There was an interest ceremony at the Kinr; luhvnrd Barracks on Saturday afternoon when the .Mayor ('i!r Tf. Holland), presented a challenge shield to tho ]\lorivale trnnp of Hoy Scout.s, i'or swimming, and a shield to i.ho, Avonsid« Corps for signalling. in tho competitions, tlio 31erivale troop, trained by Scoutmaster I?. Collins, passed 100 per cent <>l' boys who swam twenty-live yards; 3:2 per rem passed tho swimming test; and o<s per cent passed Ihe rescuer's test. The troop now is tlie '' Otter Troop " of the. Dominion.

Tho boys paraded at Latimer Square under Captain W. Schwartz, recently appointed commander of the Christcbnrch district. They marched with, their band to tho barracks, where the little battalion was drawn up in front of the balconv. Amongst. 1 hose present on thn balcony worn Sir John JVnniston, Colonel I>. Cossgrovo. (Dominion Chief Scout). Bishop .Julius, Professor T G. K. Blunt, Don 1C Moore, M.L.C., Captain Schwartz; and Mr A. Williams (a member of the local committee.

Tho Mayor said that, the object of Scout training was to encourage boys in everything that was goeiel and noble. This year the competitions were morn severe than previously, a fact which added to the credit of the Merivale, nnd Avonsido troops. No specially complimented Scoutmaster Collins and the. bows of his troop, who, he said, had .set up a splendid record. It was great satisfaction to him, as .Mayor of Christ, church, to know that the two shields would be retained in this city. Tho boys in front of him, he said, made a highly creditable appearance. Scoutmaster Collins was called to the balcony, and received the Merivaio shield amidst applause, and each boy of his troop was presented with a badge and received a. hearty rcAind of hand-claps. Tho badge bears a white otter on a. black background.

Tho Avonsido shield" was handed to Scoutmaster Brown amidst renewed applause. Addresses given by Sir John Denniston, Bishop Julius, Mr Williams and Mr "Moore, nil of whom referred to the good work done by the Scouts.

Messrs 0. F. Edgar and T. L. Osten, representing 3l'.'"-:r,; Sargood. Hon ;md Ewon, who gave the swimming shield, stepped forward and were cheered by the boys. Cheers also were given for Mr R. A. Home, manager of the, Bristol Piano Company, which gave tho signalling shield, and for the speakers. Captain Schwartz was officially introduced to the battalion, and tho ceremony ended with a performance of tho Dominion haka by the Morivalo troop.