SCOUT FUNCTION AT FLAGSTAFF HOUSE
MRS. BORRETT PRESENTS CHALLENGE TROPHY
4TH KOWLOON (GARRISON) TROOP HONOURED WITH KING'S COLOURS

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   A very interesting ceremony took place in the grounds of Flagstaff House yesterday afternoon when Mrs. O.C.Borrett, wife of H.E. Major General O.C.Borrett, C.B., C.M.G., C.B.E., D.S.O. presented the 4th. Kowloon (Garrison) Boy Scout Troop with the King's Colours, and also the Blanche Borrett Challenge Axe Trophy.
   The function commenced with an inspection of the Troop by Mrs. Borrett, after which came exhibitions of Bridge building. Ambulance Work and Pioneering.
   Subsequently a competition was held for the Blanche Borrett Challenge Axe Trophy, which is to be presented annually to the best patrol for Camping and Woodcraft. Each patrol had to erect a tent, tripod and flagstaff. The Eagle Patrol were the winners yesterday.

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Presentation Of Colours

   At the conclusion of the competition the colours, which were donated to the troop by Col. Bilderbeck and Lt. Col. McPherson, were presented to Troop Leader C.Foley, Mrs. Borrett making a very stirring speech and Group Scoutmaster A.R.Ross replying.
   Before the Challenge Axe was presented Lt. Col. McPherson gave a short speech, remarking on the excellence of the display. He went on to say that a few days ago he had suggested to Mrs. Borrett that she should present the colours, and now she had gone a step further by donating the Blanche Borrett Trophy to the Troop. "This act is typical of Mrs. Borrett's work among the garrison and their families," he said, and added that he thought it very fitting that on the eve of her departure Mrs. Borrett should be presenting the Challenge Trophy.

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Saving A Life

   Before presenting the letters and warrants to members of the Troop, the Rev. N.V.Halward, Commissioner of Hong Kong, on behalf of the Hong Kong Boy Scouts' Association, thanked Major General and Mrs. Borrett for allowing the Scouts to have the use of the grounds and also for presenting the Colours and Trophy; he also thanked Col. Bilderbeck and Lt. Col. McPherson for donating the colours.
   He then said that he had a letter signed by H.E. the Governor, Sir William Peel, to present to Patrol Leader Colin Foley, who was instrumental in saving the life of a fellow pupil at the Central British School. On January 25 one of the pupils of the C.B.S. cut his arm badly when he accidentally put it through a window. Foley immediately applied his scouting knowledge and put a tourniquet on the boy's arm, thus helping to save his life.
   Warrants were then presented to Group Scoutmaster G.R.Ross, and Assistant Scoutmaster P.Connolly.

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Mrs Borrett's Speech

   In presenting the Colours. Mrs. Borrott said:-
   "I feel sure it will be of interest to you to hear something about the raising and activities of the 4th Kowloon (Garrison) Troop Boy Scouts.
   "This Troop was officially recognised and registered on March 16, 1933, and was raised by its present Group Scoutmaster, Mr. G.R.Ross, with a nucleus of six boys on the roll.
   "Its present strength is as follows:- 24 Scouts, 20 Cubs and 6 Officers, the latter being Group Scoutmaster, Mr. G.R.Ross; Assist. Scoutmasters, Mr. P.Connelly and Mr. D.Paul; Rover Instructor, Mr. R.J.Dixon; Cubmaster, Mr. G.Maddick; and Assist. Cubmaster, Mr. J.H.Pilsworth.

   "The controlling authority of the Troop is the O.C. Military Schools in Kowloon, at the present time Lieut. Colonel D.C.Wilson, R.A. Their Headquarters are at Gun Club Hill and their Colours red and royal blue.
   "Initial funds for the raising of the Troop were collected by Colonel J.H.Thoma, R.A., now no longer in the Colony, who circularised the various units in the Garrison, Lieut. G.Ross, R.A.P.C., kindly consenting to become the Troop Treasurer.

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Work Of The Troop

   "During the last year the Troop has held eight weekend camps of varying length, totaling 14 nights under canvas, the senior boys being the guests of Lieut. Colonel E.R.Macpherson at Cheung Chau for four days at the time of the Chinese New Year, when they ran a very successful Patrol Camp.
   "They made numerous hikes into the New Territories and already possess a fairly sound knowledge of the country.
   "The summer weekends have been devoted to Bathing Parades, the Troop having taken third place in the Annual Association Swimming Sports.
   "Naturally enough, during the first year of its existence very few badges could be obtained, owing to the amount of necessary basic training to put in, but I am informed that the boys have settled down to that side of scouting now and during the last three months the following badges have been gained by various Scouts - Ambulance, Swimmer, Rescuer, Cook, Friend to Animals, Athlete, Healthyman and Interpreter.
   "On December 28 last, a Troop Christmas Party was held, invitations being sent out to many children of the Garrison in addition to the brothers and sisters of the Scouts, totaling a gathering of well over 70.
   "Later on the Party developed into an 'At Home' for the parents and an impromptu concert was run.
   "On July 25, the Troop amalgamated with the 4th Hong Kong 'Murray' Troop and gave their joint assistance at the Benefit Concert for the widow and family of the Iate Sergt. Richardson, the latter's son being a member of the Troop.

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Wolf Cubs

   "It is of interest to note that the Wolf Cub Pack was started as recently as January 28 this year, with 17 on the roll.
   "The pack has already made much progress and has fully justified its formation. Although by far the youngest Pack in the Colony, the Cubs have every intention of making an earnest attempt in the Inter Pack Competition to be held on Saturday next, and I trust this attempt may be crowned with success.
   "The coming activities of the 4th Kowloon (Garrison) Troop include an eight day Easter Camp at Cheung Chau from the April 17 to 24, and participation in the Scout and Guide Jamborally on May 8, while plans are already being made for a second Joint Concert to be held about the end of this year.

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The King's Colour

   "I should like to add that The King's Colour that I have just had the honour of presenting to the Troop has kindly been given by Colonel Bilderbeck and Lieut. Colonel E.R.Macpherson, and I feel sure that both the Officers, Scouts, and Cubs of the 4th Kowloon (Garrison) Troop would wish to join the General Officer Commanding and myself in thanking these two senior Officers for their generous gift and in making it possible for the Troop to possess a real King's Colour of their very own.
   "I feel sure that they will guard, honour, and reverence it, and that their pride in such a wonderful possession will be an added incentive to their becoming good and efficient Scouts and Cubs.

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Scoutmaster Thanked

   "Our warmest thanks are due to Mr. G.R.Ross, the Group Scoutmaster, who has not only raised the 4th. Kowloon (Garrison) Troop, but he devoted, and still does devote, so much of his spare time and energy in training the Troop and keeping alive the true Scout spirit in them and to all those other Officers who assist him with such unselfishness and zeal.
   "We have all watched with great interest the Scout Display this afternoon and the Inter Patrol Competition, and are unanimous, I feel sure, in not only congratulating the Scouts and Wolf Cube themselves on their efficiency, but also their Officers, who have expended so much of their time in instructing them.
   "That this Troop will grow and prosper there is little doubt, and in the years to come I hope the names of those who raised it, and in other ways so gallantly worked for it, may never be forgotten."

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Those Present

   Amongst those present were Major General and Mrs. Borrett, Brigadier General and Mrs. Seth Smith, Major and Mrs. Roupell, Col. and Mrs. Bilderbeck, Lt. Col. McPherson, Col. and Mrs. Hearle, Capt. and Mrs. Maurice Jones, Capt. Cleigh Taylor, Rev. and Mrs. Davics, Rev. and Mrs. Bateman, Mrs. Kirko, Mr. and Mrs. Cock, Rev. N.V.Halward, F.A.Eagels (District Scoutmaster, Shanghai), C.Low (Group Scoutmaster, 4th Hong Kong Troop), G.R.Ross, P.Connolly, D.Paul (A.S.M.), G.Maddock (Cub Master), R.J.Dixon and J.Granham (Deep Sea Scouts).
   The Drum and Fife Band of the Royal Welch Fusiliers (by kind permission of Lt. Col. Hindson and Officers) played during the afternoon.