SCOUT WELCOME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 92, 23 July 1943, Page 5

SCOUT WELCOME

OLD SCOUTMASTER'S RETURN L SGT. STAN MLLLER THE GUEST The Caledonian Hall re-echoed to the lusty voices of well over a hundred Scouts, Cubs and young people last Monday evening when a combined gathering in honour of. the home coming; of the District Scoutmaster, Stan Miller took place. Both Citizens and Scottish troops attended in force, while the cubs were also well represented. Parents and friends -went to make the evening one of the most successful in local scouting history. The boys ranged themselves up in two ranks as a guard of honour as L/Sgt. Miller, Mrs Miller and their diminutive son were piped down the hall to the olficial group in front of the stage. The piper in this instance was Scout Donald Howat„ who acquitted himself really well. When the cheers had subsided the chairman of the Citizens Committee,, Mr C. Kingsley-Smith, extended a formal welcomc after which Scoutmaster D. G. Thomas (Citizens) and G. F. Thomas (Scottish) also spoke. Later in the evening a formal break enabled Mr J. W. chairman of, the Joint. Scout Committee, to express the pleasure of the Scouts and Seouters generally at his, return'. He paid high tribute to the work Avhicli had been done by the old scoutmaster, when the town had been so scout-minded as perhaps it Avas to-day and added that it Avas' largely due to his untiring Avorlt and interest that they Ave re able to stage the fine muster they.saAV there. He knew that cA'cry-: one joined with him in extending a warm and hearty Avelcomc. On his call the cheers that followed fairly buckled the roof.

Responding the guest of the occasion said that he had seen a good deal of scouting in other lands since he. went away and could assure the boys that the whole movement was an international one which might

very Avell be held out as the hope of the world in future. He gave some interesting details of the movement in Greece and Egypt, and said that the same teaching, symbols and actions were common to all. Sgt Miller alsoi gave some humorous sidelights on the campaign in North Africa, the boys being especially intrigued with his description of how a platoon of men in mid-desert managed to bath in a gallon of water. Later he spent a period of informal yarning with the boys while supper was served.

The evening was devoted to scout games and demonstrations relieved with a spell of community singing and a competition or two.