FOR BRAVERY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2167, 4 June 1914, Page 5

FOR BRAVERY

AWABD TO BOY SCOUTS. . A gathering of boy scouts was held m tho Y.M.O.A. rooms last night, chiefly for the purpose of witnessing the presentation of certificates and medals to two scouts for bravery and saving life. Owing to indisposition, Colonel Cossgrovo, Chief Scout Commissioner for the Dominion, was not able to bo present. The-scouts were'in charge of Commissioner E. 8- Baldwin' ■Doputy-Commissioiier H. N. M'Leod and District Commander E. Lawson The Mayor (Mr. J. P.-Luke) presided. About ono hundred scouts and a number of parents and others were present. The trophies presented wero certificates and medals, "Tho'Silvor Cross for Gallantry, ' which; as was explained, is a trophy to be vory highly prized. At tlio last camp of tho Kelburno Boy Scouts at Wainui-o-mata, Scout Donaldeon got into difficulties bathing in tho river. Mrs. Willoughby, a resident, drew attention to tho fact that tho boy was in trouble, and Scout E. W. Platt-s-Mills at once swam out and held up Donaldson, in spite of tho fact that the latter caught hold of him. Corporal Baldwin immediately went to asBist, ,and tho three were able to got safely to shore. The Tatum Medal was also presented to Corporal Baldwin, an award made for tho best deed dono by a scout during the year. Tho medal is presented by Major Tatum, who is very much interested in tho scout movement. The chivalrous act of Corporal Baldwin, which won tlio modal, was the ■saving of a boy from drowning in the Boat Harbour.

Mr. Baldwin, referring to tho act of bravery at Wainui, said ho did not wish to speak mjich about it, as one of his boys was interested in it. Ho was very glad to bo ablo to think that his own boy had seen his duty, and dono it. Scout Brills had also seen his duty and dono it, even though ho must havd known that it was at the risk of his own life. Ho (Mr. Baldwin) liopod that their example would not soon bo forgotten by tho Boy Scouts.

Tho Mayor delivered a brief address to tho scouts on tho necessity for readiness in thought and action. He was sure that tho scout movement was good for tho scouts and good for tho community generally. Ho hoped that when tho boys grow up tlioir service with the scouts would make them better units in tho Territorial Army for tho defence of tho country, and bettor citizens. Ho complimented tho two boys to receive the medals on thrir readiness to do their duty—to go to tho rescue of a comrado in danger. Corporal Baldwin and Scout E. W. Platts-Mills then received their medals and their certificates from the Mayor, with his congratulations and good wishes, and tho applauso of tho asin the hall. Addresses were delivered by Mr. E. Lawson and Mr. H. N. M'Leod. At tho invitation of the Mayor, Mr. Baldwin acknowledged tho awards to his son, and Dr. Platts Mills the award to her son. Scoutmaster Grant expressed the thanks of Mrs. Donaldson, mother of the boy who was saved from drowning at AVaimii, to the rescuers of her 3011. This, as Mr. Grant explained, he did at Mrs. Donaldson's wish. The Mayor presented commissions as 'scoutmasters to Mr. J. A. M'Farlaiif , ami Mr. C. E. Sherwood. At the conclusion of tho meeting tho scouts gavo cheers for tlie Mayor, the Commissioner, tho District Commander, and the Chief Spoilt Commissioner.