LEVIN SCOUTS FAREWELLED

Chronicle (Levin), 2 May 1947, Page 4

LEVIN SCOUTS FAREWELLED

The three local scouts were, ori Wednesday night, accorded a farewell iri the' Century Hall, therd being approximately 200 present including scouts, cubs and guides. * Also preserit .were the Mayor of Leviri, . Mr. H. B. Burdekin and Mrs. Burdekin, the Dominion ScoUt Organiser, Commissioner Aldridge, Mr. E. R. Winklet,' representing the Levin Rotary Glufe, the scdutmastgr arid troop from Foxton, Mrs. F. D. Chainey and Miss Hall, representing . the guides, ahd the patents of the guests of honour. Addressing the three boys, Mr. Winkler said: "We as citizens of Levin look upon you as yotirig ambassadors. You are setting oiit on a unique venture." Mr. Wink^ ler poihted out that when they arrived in England they would be among1 ffienps. "You will be greeted," he added, "by your old chairman, the Rev. G.' B. StoteBlandy and -will riieet scout commissioners of the British Empire. I am quite 'sure you will realise the hospitality of the British people When you see the evidence nf hnrdsbios and scars that the

nation had to stand up to in war. You will journey to France to the national scout fridvement, a riiafvellous experience to enjoy. Yoii will come back with those teachings and privileges- that it has beeri your pleasure to enjoy and give us an account of your trip and experiences." Iri conclusion Mr. Winkler invited the three ScoUts to' be guests at the Rotary Club luncheon next Monday. The chairman of.the scout corrimittee, Mrs. Blenkhorn, when extending a welcome to the visitors, especially thankdd the Mayd-r for his heip and keen interest 'iri the scout movement. The committee also placed on record the work of Mr. Winkler and the Rotary Club for the wonderful assistaric'e in raisirig £341. Mr. Burdekin, in the course of his feply, said that the jamboree afforded a . wonderful opportunity bo strengthen international goodwill yand bririg dbout a better understanding of each other's problems, and he sincerely hoped that the boys would have ari opportunity of mixing with boys of other countries. The citizens had helped the scouts with donations and bottle. drives, and he hoped that when the Levin representatives returned they would be able to heip scouting to a greater degree with the knowledge they had gained. Commissidner Aldridge said he was happy to be present at the fuhctionj and he wished the boys .God speed on their journey. He 'eorigratulated Levin on the results achieved, stating that they compared fayourably With other centres. Palmerston North was also having a farewell to its eight boys that night, and when the 10,000 scouts met ori French soil a g'reat deal would be achieved arid permanent friendships established with other riatioris. He congratu'.ated the boys on their selection and. wished them all the best for ;heir trip and trusted that scouting would beneflt by their jxperiences. Stating that he was proud to have the privilege 'of representing he Levin Scouts, Master Stanley Small, in a short reply, thanked bhe citizens of Levin and the comriittee for their assistance ra making the trip possible. TreVor Hudson. thanked the Mayor arid Mr, Winkler for their kind words arid gbod Wishes and all persohs and organisations responsible for :he "taisihg of the funds. Brian Allwood 'endorsed these remarks. Scoutmaster W. Benfell said Le Wds pfdrid that Levin was to be cepresented in France, and thanked all those who had made this poSsible.