THE BOY SCOUTS ASSOCIATION
A Successful Year's Work Reported

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   The annual general meeting of the Hong Kong Boy Scouts Association was held at Sandilands' Hut yesterday, with His Excellency the Governor, Sir William Peel, K.C.M.G., K.B.E., in the chair. Among those present were the Hon. Sir Shouson Chow, Hon. T.N.Chau, Mr. E.Cock, Commodore F.Elliott, Sir Thomas and Lady Southorn, Hon. Mr. T.H.King, Hon. Dr. R.H.Kotewall, His Honour Mr. A.D.A.MacGregor, Mr. G.R.Sayer, Mr. M.P.Talati, Mr. Tang Shiu Kin, Hon. Dr. S.W.T'so, Mr. Wong Kwong Tin and Rev. Chamberlain.
   Prior to the meeting, His Excellency presented the Prince of Wales Banner to the 1st Hong Kong (St. Joseph's) Troop, and the following were sworn in:-

   The Rev. Nelson Victor Halward, (Commissioner); Quah Cheow Cheang, (District Scoutmaster); Thomas James Martin, (Group Scoutmaster); Maurice Woodforde Scott, Ng Tse Tat, Cheung King Pak, George Ronald Ross, Siu Chun Wu, and Chan Fook Hong (Scoutmasters); Chak Ha Ka and Shum Yu Kum (Assist. Scoutmasters); and Andre Lock (Assistant Cubmaster).

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The Governor's Address

   Addressing the gathering, His Excellency said that the report presented was a very successful one and they could congratulate the Hong Kong Branch of Boy Scouts on having a very successful year and in maintaining that activity which had been characteristic of the movement. The figures of the annual census showed an increase in all ranks of 98 and it was also satisfying that the camping had been a success. After some years of negligence, perhaps, he went down to see the camping last summer and was very satisfied with its work. He expressed the hope that more people would go and visit it and contribute something in order to enable the Association to get rid of the sum of over $6,000 which is still owing to the Bank for the building.
   One of the most outstanding incidents of the year, an unfortunate one in many ways, was the loss by the Branch of Mr. Waldegrave, who had been Commissioner for the past 13 years. His services had been recognised by the Chief Scout who had made him an honorary Commissioner for Hong Kong. Although the Branch lost Mr. Waldegrave, it was very fortunate in having a worthy successor in Mr. Halward (applause).

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New Officials Welcomed

   His Excellency then extended a hearty welcome to several new officials and in this connection he expressed thanks to the Hon. Mr. T.N.Chau for his services as Hon. Treasurer. Although he had retired, said His Excellency, from the post of treasurer, Mr. Chau had kindly consented to become the vice president. (applause).
   Referring to the party which he and Lady Peel gave to the Scouts and Guides last summer, His Excellency said that the only thing he wished to say in connection with it was that he hoped all of them had as enjoyable a time as Lady Peel and he.
   Sir William then went on to say that the Jamboree at Melbourne seemed to be a great success. The local branch was represented by three of its members but it seemed a great pity that it could not send more than that number. He had received a letter from the Chief Scout, Lord Baden Powell, expressing appreciation of the greetings extended to him by the three representatives.
   In conclusion, His Excellency thanked all those who had helped In the past, both for their services and financially. The accounts showed an excess of expenditure over income of about $500 and he expressed the hope that all would do their best to help this very fine movement in wiping out this deficit. (Applause).
   His Excellency then proposed the adoption of the report and statement of accounts. The motion was carried unanimously.
   The Commissioner, Mr. N.V.Halward, said that he wished to thank first of all everybody who turned up at the meeting. He was very glad to see so many friends and scouts, and it was a good thing for them to meet together once a year.

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The Jamborally

   Continuing, Mr. Halward said that he wished to call for the Jamborally which is being held in connection with the Silver Jubilee celebrations. It is going to take place on May 8 on the Hong Kong Football Club ground at four o'clock. Girl Guides and Boy Scouts are taking part in this event, and he assured the gathering that a very fine show would be presented. He extended an invitation to the Council members to the rally for the Prince of Wales Banner which is being held on March 9 at Volunteer Headquarters.
   Mr. Halward then went on to say that the Branch was continually faced with the difficulty of finding suitable men to lead the troops. On Sunday last a group of boys attached to the St. Andrew's Church, Kowloon, asked him if they would be allowed to form a Rover troop. He told them that he would be very glad to allow them if they could find a leader. According to the rules, the leader must be at least thirty years of age and capable of leading the group. Although there was quite a large number of men of 18 and over, who were willing to do so, he found it very difficult to find anyone up to the standard set up by the rules.

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Scout Services.

   Referring to the work of the Scouts, Mr. Halward said that on many occasions scouts had been asked to sell programmes, tickets, etc. There was a very strict rule in regard to this, which said that scouts must not take any street sales or collection. He was very willing to supply scouts to help in the various charitable institutions but he hoped that they would not make it a practice.
   In conclusion, Mr. Halward asked His Excellency to present a Thanks Badge to Mr. A.S.Mitchell, the secretary, who, he said, would leave the Colony shortly. He expressed thanks to Mr. Mitchell for his services to the Branch and hoped that they would see him again shortly.
   His Excellency then presented the Badge to Mr. Mitchell who suitably replied.

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Governor Thanked

   After wishing His Excellency many happy returns of the day, Mr. E.Cock, the President, said that he was sorry that Sir William was leaving shortly and wished to thank him for all that he had done for the Branch. His Excellency had been of great help to the Branch and without this and his influence, the movement would have been very difficult to carry on. He concluded by wishing His Excellency and Lady Peel happiness and prosperity in their well earned retirement.
   His Excellency replied by saying that he had actually done very little for the Scouts in Hong Kong although he was greatly interested in this very, very fine movement. He wished the movement a very successful future.

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New Officers

   The following were elected officials for the ensuing year.
   Commissioner - Mr. N.V.Halward
   President.- Mr. E.Cock.
   Vice President.- Hon. Mr. T.N.Chau.
   Joint Treasurers.- Messrs. Lo Koon Hang and Lo Koon Kan.
   Joint Secretaries.- Messrs. G.S.Dunkley and Thomson.
   Council (Coopted).- Mr. A.el Arculli, Mr. C.Champkin, Dr. Chau Wai Cheung, M.B., B.S., Hon. Sir shouson Chow, Kt., C.M.G., LL.D., Lt. Col. H.B.L.Dowbiggin, O.B.E., Commodore F.Elliott, O.B.E., R.N., Rt. Rev. the Bishop of Hong Kong and South China, Sir Wm. Hornell, Kt., C.L.E., LL.D., M.A., Hon. Mr. T.H.King, Hon. Dr. R.H.Kotewall, C.M.G., LL.D., Mr. A.J.Lane, Mr. Lau Ping Chai, Mr. Li Jow Son, Mr. R.C.H.Lim, B.A., LL.B., H.H. Mr. Justice R.E.Lindsell, H.H. Mr. A.D.A.MacGregor, K.C., Major C.M.Manners, O.B.E., Mr. H.Phillips, C.M.G., O.B.E., (H.M. Consul General, Canton), Mr. G.R.Bayer, B.A., Hon Sir William Shenton, Kt. Hon. Mr. N.L.Smith, Lady Southorn, O.B.E., Mr. M.P.Tatati, Mr. W.N.Thomas Tam, Mr. Tang Shiu Kin, M.B.E., Hon. Dr. S.W.Ts’s, O.B.E., LL.D., Rt Rev. Bishop H.Valtorta, Mr. Wong Kwong Tin, and Mr. B.Wyile.