BOY SCOUTS

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1929, Page 6

BOY SCOUTS

It is interesting to read in the cable news in our papers some of the facts concerning the great World Jamboree of Boy Scouts which was officially opened on Wednesday last /in England by the Duke of Connaught. This is being held to commemorate the twenty-first anniversary of the founding of the movement. It also celebrates the birthday of the Chief Scout, Sir Robert Baden-Powell. The camp occupies an area of 450 acres, and it must be indeed an inspiring sight to see in that vast canvas town an assembly of 50,000 Scouts, using fifty different languages' and among whom all the world nations except Russi \. and Italy are represented. This vast assembly is but. a small proportion of .the two million Scouts scattered throughout the world, who without distinction of race ’or creed, have made the same' Scout promise, and are bound by the same Scout laws of brotherhood and service. It will 'prove a happy mo■merjt indeed when these 50,000 Scouts rally round their' Chief and tender aim their combined yell of welcome and birthday greetings. Tdi.s thoughts will no doulbt go back to that time over twenty-one years ago. when he himself founded his own first Scout troop, not realising what a world widie institution was then beginning. As the. Von vs progress and tho movement and its spirit grows, could there be imagined a greater influence towards world peace and better underhand ing. To mark the special occasion throughout New Zealand, a parade of every Scout troop has been called, for to-morrow. Saturday, after which the "otal Dominion figures will ho cabled to Sir R. Baden-Powell at the Imperial Jamboree, with New Zealand Scouts’ greetings.

The Hokitika troop will parade tomorrow afternoon at 3 o’clock *on the beach opposite Wold Street, in the vicinity of the site selected for the new Scout room, and it is expected that even 1 Scout will make a special effort 'to be there. The parade will not : occupy more than half an hour, so that ft may interfere as little as possible with those who may have to get:leave from work.