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The China Mail.


Hong Kong, Monday, April 29, 1946.

No. 33344.
Page 2

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G.O.C. Inspects Hong Kong Boy Scouts

   THE COLONY'S SCOUTS - INCLUDING CUBS AND ROVERS - TURNED OUT EN MASSE YESTERDAY ON THE WATERFRONT AND MARCHED UP GARDEN ROAD TO THE BOTANICAL GARDENS, WHERE THEY WERE INSPECTED BY THE G.O.C., GENERAL FESTING. A TOTAL OF 663 SCOUTS WERE ON PARADE.
   AT 2.45 P.M. GENERAL FESTING ARRIVED AND WAS GREETED BY MR. C.C.QUAH, THE DEPUTY COLONY COMMISSIONER AND MR. F.C.WALLIS, THE ORGANIZING SECRETARY OF THE PARADE.

   The band of the St. Louis Industrial School then played the National Anthem, as the National Flags rose.
   The G.O.C., accompanied by Mr. J.Pau, the District Commissioner in charge, then inspected the Parade. The Cubs under the care of the Hon. Marshal, Mrs. G.M.Wallis were first inspected, the General taking a special interest in the very young ones. The Scouts under the charge of the D.S.Ms., Messrs. Wong Yat Hung and Tony Yung, came next and General Festing commented on the good turn out of many troops and added words of encouragement to each troop as he went round. Then the Rovers were inspected. They were all under the charge of Mr. E.J.Harris, the D.R.S.L. of the Services Rover Crews. The General spent some time speaking with the Service Rovers and was interested to know that some of them were here for only a few days.
   At the end of the inspection, the General was welcomed with the "Grand Howl" by all the 90 Cubs present. The Cub Law was then said in English and Chinese, followed by the Scout Law in English and Chinese. Directly after this, the Cubs and Scouts reaffirmed their promise.

Finest Ideal

   The Deputy Commissioner in his speech of welcome, thanked the General and many guests for their presence and assured all present that many obstacles had been overcome and that scouting is firmly on its feet again.
   The G.O.C., addressing the scouts as a brother scout, told them that he first joined the Movement in 1914. After commenting on the smart turn out he asked all scouts present to look to the future and said that the scout law was one of the finest ideals to live up to. He ended by saying that there was much scope for Scouting in the Colony, and wished all Scouters and Scouts "Good Scouting" in the future.
   The Parade then gave three hearty cheers for General Festing which the surrounding hills re-echoed.
   The Colours then advanced and the Parade formed for the March Past, which the General took from the saluting base. The procession, leaving the Gardens, marched through the main thoroughfares to the waterfront where the Groups were thanked for their fine efforts and were dismissed.
   Many thanks for the success of the Parade are due to the Organizing Sub committee consisting of Messrs. C.C.Quan, F.C.Wallis, E.A.Newton, S.Lobato Faria and John Pau, and also to the many willing helpers who has a warm time marshalling the Groups.
   Many friends took photographs of the Parade, and the District Commissioner Hongkong, should be pleased if they would get into communication with him c/o Wantsai School.

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