ST. GEORGE'S DAY CELEBRATED.
RETREAT AT H.K.C.C.: BOY SCOUTS MEET.
SERVICES CONCERT.

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   In spite of drizzle which descended towards the end, the musical entertainment provided by the bugles and band of the Somerset Light Infantry on the Hongkong Cricket Club ground yesterday was highly successful.
   His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government (the Hon. Mr. W.T.Southorn, C.M.G.), and Mrs. Southorn, accompanied by Capt. Swayne, A.D.C., arrived prompt to time and were greeted with the strains of the National Anthem. Others present included, Mr. and Mrs. T.E.Pearce, Mrs. Cock, Mr. G.C.Moxon, H.E. Major General J.W.Sandilands, Rear Admiral R.A.S.Hill and Lt Col. C.H.Little.
   The first number was the Band and Bugle March (56th. Brigade) which was excellently performed. Then followed the Bugle March (St. George) after which the buglers sounded "Retreat." The band contributed selections from "Martial Moments" and "Merrie England," these being followed by the Bugle March, "The Empire." The last items were given by the band, these being an Overture. "Rule Britannia," and the evening hymn "The Day Thou Gavest." The programme was concluded with the Regimental March (Prince Albert's) and the National Anthem.
   Towards the end the threat of rain became more menacing and a slight drizzle caused many people to leave early. However, the rain was not sufficient to spoil the entertainment, and the majority of people remained.
   The Band and Bugles gave an excellent account of themselves, and the selections were greatly enjoyed.

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SCOUTS & GUIDES GATHER.
Deputy Commissioner Addresses Assembly on Their Duty.

   In connexion with the celebrations, Hongkong Boy Scouts assembled in large numbers at Volunteer Headquarters yesterday evening, when they were addressed by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. C.Champkin, prior to their annual renewal of their promises.
   The various troops had gathered at the Scout Headquarters and marched to the Volunteer parade ground, where they indulged in scout games before falling in to renew their promises. Lining up in front of the Headquarters building, they were addressed by the Deputy Commissioner who said:
Brother Scouts, - Our Association the world over has appointed this day - St. George's Day - for the annual renewal of our Scout Promise to do our duty to God and the King, to help other people at all times and to obey the Scout Law.
   You all know what that law is. It deals progressively with Honour, Loyalty. Friendliness, Courtesy, Kindness to Animals, Discipline, Cheerfulness, Thrift, and Cleanliness of Mind.
   Really they can all be summed up in one word. Chivalry, and it is with Chivalry that St. George, the Patron Saint of England, is most prominently associated.
   We belong to a great order of Chivalry. The honour of the Order is a trust that is held by every Scout, and in all our thoughts and actions we must be loyal to that trust. It is not an empty promise that we renew today, but a real responsibility that we carry, and every year we pledge ourselves on our honour to carry it with credit to the great brotherhood of Scouts to which we belong.
   Let us keep in the forefront of this promise the ideals of personal conduct and public service upon which Scouting is founded.

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Service and Discipline.

   The Chief Scout has reminded us that Scouting is a game, but he does not mean by this that Scouting in Hongkong will be judged by the jolly good times the Scouts get out of it. Those about you will judge the usefulness of Scouting not by what you get out of it, but by what you put into it - by the services you render to the community and by the self discipline to which you subject yourselves. Discipline and Loyalty are the first requirements of Scouting - not the discipline that is imposed from without, for we have little to do with that - but the discipline that comes from within and the loyalty that is given not merely because it is due, but from a consciousness that it is good and pleasant and fitting that we should be loyal.
   Some of our Troops have not scored high marks in the Banner Competition. They may be small in numbers -  their opportunities for training may not be as good as those enjoyed by other Troops. To these I would say that so long as you are good Scouts and do your best it doesn't matter a bit what place you take in competitions. Acquit yourselves with honour according to your limitations. I would like you to remember these words of Thackeray, one of England's greatest men:
   "Let who may receive the prize, Go out and conquer as you can, But if you fall or if you rise Be each, pray God, a gentleman."
   Standing at the salute the Scouts renewed their promises for the forthcoming year to do their duty to God and the King; to help other people at all times, and to obey the Scout Law.
   After cheers had been given for the Chief Scout, the Troops returned to their own headquarters.

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Guides at Government House.

   Members of the Girl Guides' organisation, the Brownies and Wolf Cubs attended an informal function at Government House, where Mrs. Southorn (wife of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government) entertained them to a tea party.