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The China Mail.


Hongkong, Thursday, January 15, 1925.
中華民國十四年歲次甲子十二月廿一日
英一千九百二十五年元月十五號
禮拜四

No. 19,394
Page 7

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BOY SCOUTS.
THE PRINCE OF WALES BANNER.
GOVERNOR HANDS OVER.

   The competition between the local troops of Boy Scouts for the honour of possession of the banner which the Prince of Wales presented on the occasion of his visit has been spread over a long period, but definite decision has now been arrived at, and yesterday every troop in the Colony was represented at the Hongkong Volunteers' Parade ground when His Excellency the Governor (Sir Edward Stubbs, K.C.M.G.) presented the prince of Wales' banner to the winning troop. Fifteen troops participated, including the newly formed Japanese troop and the Scottish troop. The latter unit, dressed in national costume, enlivened the proceedings with a few bagpipe selections.
   There was a large number of spectators, among those present being Major General Sir John Fowler, Sir Claud Severn, Sir Henry Pollock, the Hon. Mr. P.H.Holyoak, Lt. Col. Robertson and Mr. R.M.Dyer.
   H.E. the Governor was met on arrival by Mr. C.Champkin, acting Commissioner, who accompanied the Governor during the inspection of the troops.
   In presenting the banner to the English Troop, His Excellency congratulated that unit on having won the trophy and wished them continued success. His Excellency next presented warrants to Mrs. White and Miss Wells, both in charge of Cubs, and to Scoutmaster Ho Yan-kong.
   Another presentation, also in the form of a banner, followed. This banner was presented by Miss Woo, headmistress of St. Paul's Girls' School, to the St. Paul's College Troop.
   Addressing the Scouts at the conclusion of the ceremony Mr. Champkin said:
   The first time I addressed you when I took over this charge I told you that a good motto for a good Scout was "Take the hardest path." You can overcome all obstacles by hard work, patience and a sense of humour, and the greatest of these is a sense of humour. No Scout was ever a good Scout unless he knew how to be cheerful and laugh at difficulties, and I hope you will go on being cheerful and continue smiling till Mr. Waldegrave comes back and then he will know I have looked after you all right during his absence. Now, if we were just a Troop we could greet the Chief Scout with our Patrol Calls, but with twenty Troops and six Packs. I am afraid it would simply be a frightful row, so being British we will give the Chief Scout three rousing British cheers and I am sure our brothers of the Japanese Troop will follow on with three equally rousing "Banzais." (Applause).

HIS EXCELLENCY'S SPEECH.

   Cheers having been heartily given, His Excellency the Governor, in a short speech, congratulated Mr. Waldegrave and Mr. Champkin, on the success which had attended their efforts in developing the Scouts Movement in Hongkong. He was pleased to welcome the new addition to the Boy Scouts of the Scottish Troop. On behalf of all, he wished to thank Mr. Champkin for the hard work which he had put during the absence of Mr. Waldegrave. When Mr. Waldegrave told him he was going Home, it was rather a shock to him because he could not then think of a man who could take Mr. Waldegrave's place. He later found he had taken a too pessimistic view. He was sure that Mr. Champkin had done everything possible for the movement, and Mr. Waldegrave would be pleased to find the results on his return. In the meantime, he would like to thank Col. Robertson, who had kindly consented to act as Commissioner. His Excellency, concluded by welcoming the Japanese troop and expressing the hope that they would give the movement their close cooperation. (Applause).
   Cheers for the Governor and Mr. Champkin brought the proceedings to a close.

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