YOUTH RALLY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 62, 4 August 1947, Page 5

YOUTH RALLY

THURSDAY NIGHT MEETING PRESENTATIONS MADE There was a iarge attendance of Cubs, Brownies, Scouts, Guides, Boys Brigade, Lifeboys and members of other young people’s organisations at a youth rally held in the Caledonian Hall on Thursday evening. The speaker was Mr Te Hira Fergusson who has recently been appointed New Zealand Youth Director for Young Citizen Publications. The Chief of the Whakatane Caledonian Society, Mr D. Anderson, took the opportunity to present Mr Fergusson with an appreciative script from the Society and to wish him every success in his new venture.

Sergeant J. Chadwick presented Mr Fergusson with a gift on behalf of the First Whakatane Company of The Boys’ Brigade. Mr Fergusson, in expressing his appreciation for both gifts said that this was one of the few occasions on which he found himself at a loss for words. He felt that the least said at such gatherings the better. The Boys Brigade had been his burning interest and he felt that the First Whakatane Company was among the finest. He looked forward to watching the progress the boys made in life and felt sure that most would do well for themselves. Chief Anderson presented Piper Russell Hurst with the Craigellachie Shield, won at the New Year’s Day sports at Ohope. Piper Don McKenzie, runner-up, was presented with a medal.

Young Citizen

The public had no means of obtaining information about the various youth movements except by word of mouth or from pieces published in the papers, said Mr Fergusson addressing the gathering. The aim of “Young Citizen,” the magazine issued by the organisation, was to become the mouthpiece of all such youth bodies. The pages of the magazine contained various articles, stories and news of interest to young people of a far higher standard than much of the “trashy” literature on sale today. The magazine aimed at spiritual, mental, physical and social development and hoped to play some small part in assisting the church and home in moulding the lives of young New Zealanders.

Every person present was given a circular containing facts regarding the magazine and the young people were urged to become subscribers.

At the conclusion of the evening supper was served to those in the hall.