SCOUT DEMONSTRATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2009, 31 July 1919, Page 3

SCOUT DEMONSTRATION.

Commissioner and Mrs Hodder and members of the Salvation Army Headquarters Staff, visited Foxton tftis week for the purpose of inspecting the Life-Saving Scouts and Guards, and to perform the opening ceremony of the Red Shield Club. On Tuesday night there was a large gathering in the Town Hall, when the Scouts and Guards repeated their performance given some iime ago with added items and demonstrations of skill in knotting and telegraphy. A special message was telegraphed to the Commissioner and -Mrs. Plodder. Scout Nelson Ball gave a. capital recitation, and little Miss Pearson fairly captivated the audience with her elocutionary item —a talented performance. Mrs Captain Coffin’s monologue, “Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata,” provided ample scope for this lady’s histrionic talent, for which she received well-deserved applause. The Comm : ss : oner, who presided, expressed l.;s pleasure at the success which had attended the Scout movement in Foxton, which was a fine tribute to the enterprise and organising skill of Captain Goffln. He slated that the object of the Scout and Guard movement was not for the purpose of proselytising or “Arm.vising” boys and girls, but to endeavour to build up and encourage those qualities which make for the highest in manhood and womanhood. They were encouraged and urged to stick to their own denominations. He hoped that no feelings of jealousy or envy would be allowed to mar the success of the Scout movement. The Army gained nothing financially from such social movements, but added to their responsibilities. He wished the movement every success, and appealed to the public for practical! sympathy. Ho said there was a debt of £ls still owing on the Scout equipment, and made a characteristic appeal to have this wiped off straight away. A collection was taken up, and the sum of £lfi was contributed by th« audience, which announcement was greeted with a tremendous outburst of applause. Brigadier Hoare spoke of the good work the Scout movement was accomplishing in other centres, and wished the local Scouts and Guards every success. Captain Coffin also spoke, and r*eceived a great ovation —a tribute to the splendid work he has accomplished among the young people. The company song by the Guards, “Way Over Yonder,” was much appreciated, as were the items by the Scouts trumpet and drum band, and the marching movements and physical exercises by Scouts and Guards. Altogether the entertainment was thoroughly appreciated by the audience, which was unstinted in applause. The performance concluded with the National Anthem.