BOY SCOUTS SAY GOOD-BYE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21411, 1 March 1935, Page 14

BOY SCOUTS SAY GOOD-BYE

GUARD OF HONOUR AT STATION GOVERNOR-GENERAL HONOURS BOYS' BRAVERY It was not unfitting, in view of the keen interest their Excellencies have taken in the youth movements in New Zealand, that the boy scouts should have the honour of meeting Lord and Lady Bledisloe at their last official function in Christchurch. At the Christchurch railway station last evening their Excellencies passed from their motor-car to the door of their carriage on the train between the double ranks of a guard of honour consisting of some 250 scouts and about 70 rover scouts. His Excellency, who has been Chief Scout for New Zealand during his term as GovernorGeneral, was handed an illuminated address by the rover scouts, and on the station he presented Scout Peter Read and Scout Neville Davison, both of the North Beach troop, with a silver meal and a certificate respectively in recognition of their bravery in saving life. Their Excellencies were given an affectionate send-off by the large gathering of scouts and civilians.

Their Excellencies, who were accompanied by the Honorary Dominion Chief Commissioner (Dr. P. Clennell Fen wick, C.M.G.), and Mrs Fenwiek, Commissioner W. E. S. Furby (Headquarters Staff Commissioner), Commissioner J. W. Crampton (actingCommissioner in charge of the Canterbury Metropolitan District), District Commissioners E. Gray (North Canterbury District), and J. Downs (No. 1 Christchurch District), Colonel Sir R. Hcaton Rhodes, K.8.E., M.L.C., and Colonel H. C. Hurst, inspected the guard of honour, which consisted of six scouts from each troop in the Canterbury Metropolitan district. o Address Presented The illuminated address, which was presented to his Excellency by Rover Scout Crew Leader C. Thomas (Addington) read as follows: — "His Excellency the Rt. Hon. Lord Bledisloe, P.C., G.C.M.G., K.8.E., D.Sc, Governor-General of New Zealand, Chief Scout for New Zealand. Your Excellency: On the eve of your departure from New Zealand, the rover scouts of the Canterbury Metropolitan Scout District desire to convey to you their most sincere thanks for the interest you have displayed in their movement.

"Your Excellency's self-sacrificing devotion to the interests of the people of this country has been a source of inspiration and a stimulus to us all. We trust that in the years which lie ahead, the high ideals you have set before the boy scouts of New Zealand may bear rich fruit. We wish you and her Excellency bon voyage, and good hunting along happiest trails. For and on behalf of Canterbury rover' scouts. J. W. Crampton (Major), Metropolitan Commissioner." His Excellency then presented Scout Peter Read with the Boy Scouts Association's silver cross for gallantry, in recognition of his resourcciul and brave rescue of a girl from drowning in the Waimakariri river at Kairaki on January 2f>. Eye-witnesses have declared that had it not been for this scout's resource and pluck, the girl would undoubtedly have been drowned, as she was sinking in the mudly flood waters of the river which were running out to sea at ;; great rate when Scout. Peter Read secured her and brought her to safety, where resuscitation methods were successful. The girl was unconscious when brought ashore. Scout Neville Davison received the Boy Scouts Association's illuminated certificate in recognition of his conduct in promptly going to the assistance of a young woman who had got into difficulties whilst bathing at North Beach on November 25, 1934. When the incident occurred the tide was low and the channel in a particularly dangerous state. For several seasons the North Beach scout troop has been instructed in life-saving in the Tepid Baths, and in the surf at North Beach. The scouts have been trained to manipulate the appliances of surf clubs, and an annual interpatrol competition has been instituted whereby the scout" demonstrate their proficiency in the use of surf lifesaving equipment. Work of Scouts Praised Lord Bledisloe congratulated each boy on his scoutlike conduct, and bravery in rescuing a life. He hoped that more scouts would respond to the training and be able to help others as Scouts Peter Read and Neville Davison had done. He was proud to be able to decorate these two scouts on his departure from Christchurch. He referred to the excellent work being carried on by Major and Mrs Furby, as shown by the high state of efficiency of the North Beach boy scout troop and the North Beach rover scout crew. Their work was outstanding and was an example to troops all over Canterbury and to the rest of New Zealand. The value of the work done in the troop in the direction of instruction in life saving was shown by the action of the two boys who had just received recognition for their gallantry in saving life. In saying good-bye to the scouts of Canterbury he expressed the hope that the movement would increase in strength and influence. While it did so he had no fear for the future of New Zealand. Lady Bledisloe was presented with a bouquet by Mrs Fenwick on behalf of the boy scouts of Canterbury, and Mr and Mrs G. Read, father and mother of Scout Peter Read, and Mrs W. E. S.

Furby. assistant lady scoutmaster of Iho North Bench troop, were presented to their Excellencies before their departure. Members of the Dominion executive nf the Boy Scouts' Association of New Zealand who were present on the platform were Messrs H. S. J. Goodman, f W. Bishop, A. J. McEldowney, J. S. 1 '' l,f M.on. C. D. Hardie, and the Rev. W. H. Orbell. while there were also many members of troop committees. With hats on staves the scouts gave three hearty cheers for their departing Chief Scout, and when the train pulled out of the station their Excellencies could have been in no doubt as to the affection in which they are held among the scouts of the Canterbury Metropolitan District. Their Excellencies waved from the rear window of the carriage until the train was out of