BIG SCOUT RALLY

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1454, 31 May 1912, Page 3

BIG SCOUT RALLY

j INSPECTION BY "B-P," PRESENTATION OF COLOURS. Considering the impropitious aspect of the weather yesterday, those in charge of the arrangements for the cadet parade and Boy Scout demonstration, held at Alexandra Barracks in honour of Lieu-tenant-General .Sir 1!. S. S. Baden-Powell, K.C.H., Chief of the Jloy Scout movement, were fortunate in carrying out the programme before the rain came. It had been previously arranged to hold tho parade at Newtown l\ark, but the spongy state of the turf precluded that, and the lads were assembled on the brow of Mount Cook, just in front of tho flag-' pule, and looking towards tho grim-look-ing castle designed in a previous generation to servo the purposes of a gaol, and ordered by public opinion to serve as a military barracks instead. In the centre was a dense-looking phalanx of Boy. Scouts, with their Scout-masters; on tho left, several companies of junior cadets; and on the right, a strong body of senior cadets. On the raised mound from the centre of which rose the llag-pole were seated the official party, which included her Excellency, Lady Islington—Lord Islington was unfortunately confined to his room by a chill—the Hon. J. A. Hanan (Minister for Education), representing the Government; the General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces (Major-General A. .T. Godley, C.8.), and members of the General Staff at Headquarters; Colonel E. W. C. Chaytor, Officer commanding the Wellington District; and Sir Joseph Ward. Round about ami out in the roadway was a dense throng of (he public, estimated roughly at about 2000. The approaches to tho Barracks gates and tho roadway within were policed by members of the Ifoyal New Zealand Artillery and the Mount Cook police force. Everything passed off very well indeed. Tiio ground underfoot was damp and cold, but the lads were consumed with excitement, and curiosity to see the great "B-P." of whom they had heard so much, and did not seem to worn- about the weather or the ground. The arrival of General Badon-Powell was signalised by a rousing haka by the Boy Scouts, after which the General, accompanied by Colonel Chaytor and staff, inspected the lilies. At the conclusion of the inspection lie separately addressed the junior cadet companies, the senior cadets, and the Boy Scouts. Ho complimented them upon their appearance, and upon what he had heard of their work, and urged all ranks to "buck up and play (he game." In New Zealand he said, the Boy Scout movement'should be used to reinforce the training of the cadets. He recognised that the Boy Scouts were, under the New Zealand system of military training, a subservient branch, so to speak, but their efforts should be ever directed towards their main objective—which was not particularly to make soldiers or anything else—and acquire those attributes of true manliness, healthy bodies, clean minds, high character, which made the very best kind of citizen, no matter what one's particular vocation might be. The General then presented the flag which ho had been, asked, by the King to convev to the Boy Scouts of New Zealand, and also, to tho Wellington City Scouts, tho

fla? sent out by the Wellington (London) troops ns a fraternal gift. The proceedings concluded with a prolonged burst of cheering from tho lads, who waved their hats in Iho air, and de-

monstrated in thrcr emphatic lvay their regard for their chief. Cheers were also given for her Excellency, Ladv Islington, after which the lads dispersed'. The 'lio.y Scout troops wore marched through the city in order to give the public an opportunity of seeing the visiting troops. Colonel Chavtor was in ehanje of the parade. The senior cadets numbered 575, with 22 officers; junior cadets, 3(S, with 10 officers; Hoy Scouts, 500 (approximately), with the members of the General Stuff,- Staff Corns, Permanent Force, etc , the parade stato totalled 1550 in round figures.