BADEN POWELL'S SCOUTS.
FIRST HONGKONG TROOPS ANNUAL SPEECH DAY.

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   The 1st Hongkong (St. Joseph's College) Troop held their annual speech day and presentation of cups and badges last Wednesday at their Headquarters, St. Joseph's College.
   Among those present were Rev. Bros. Aimar, Cassian and James, Rev. G.T. Waldgrave (Commissioner), Mr. C. H. Blason (Hon. Treas. Hangkong Boy Scouts’ Association), Mr. A. White (Hon. Secretary), and a number of former members of the Troop.
   After tea, the visitors adjourned to the College compound, where Assistant Scoutmaster H. Braga, who is in charge of the Troop, read the report. He said that they were celebrating the tenth anniversary of the formation of the Troop and mentioned the great help the Scouts were to the community during the first few years of the Great War. When he took charge of the Troop, on the 6th of April, Scouting was very slack. Since then 20 boys in all had been in the troop, 5 of whom had resigned. Continuing he said: "Whatever we have been able to accomplish has been due to those interested in us. We owe a great deal to our patron, Rev. Bro. Aimar. He provided us with the room below the tower, which itself serves a purpose. He gave us two bookcases and a desk. His kindness to us has not ended there, as he and the other Brothers of the College have always taken a great deal of interest in the Troop. We would like to thank all the Scouters who are and were over us for the help they gave us so willingly and readily in times past. We thank Mr. R.A.Razack for the table and two benches he presented to us. Capt. H. S. McGrath who, after the Director, was our chief benefactor, must be specially mentioned. The $1,725 previously mentioned was collected by him. Half the books in our library were sent out by him from England together with the cups, the presentation of which is our purpose today."
   Rev. Bro. Aimar, the patron of the Troop, then presented the cups and badges to the successful winners.
   He said: "I came to Hongkong shortly after the Boy Scout movement had been started in the Colony. At the time the Troop was very large. Now, although it is very small, I am glad to hear from the Commissioner and others that quality makes up for quantity. You boys must be very thankful to your Assistant Scoutmaster, Mr. Braga, for the hard work I know he has done in bringing the Troop to its present standard. This is the first time since my return from Home that I have had the pleasure of meeting the troop in a body in the College compound on such an occasion. I hope that this is the forerunner of many other pleasant ceremonies. It is very kind of you to invite me to give away the cups and badges, and I congratulate those who secured them." He then thanked the visitors for their presence.
   After Assistant Scoutmaster Braga had suitably replied, the Commissioner, Rev. G.T.Waldegrave, addressed the boys. He congratulated them on their hardworking Scouters, their unity, and their efficiency. He then exhorted them to continue the ten years of history and tradition they had behind them and to keep their ideal -  perfection - ever before them and they would have no fear of going wrong.
   An enjoyable afternoon was concluded when the Commissioner called for three cheers for the Troop and the Scouts stood to attention and sang "God Save the King."