Under the command gf their District Commissioner, Mr. F. C. Millington, one of the largest gatherings of boy scouts ever seen in Shanghai on Saturday marched to the house of Sir Edward Pearce to congratulate him on the honour of knighthood, bestowed upon him by the Prince of Wales at Hongkong.
The parade which mustered over 60 boys from the Cathedral, Public School, Thomas Hanbury and French School troops, formed up at the corner of Avenue and Hart Roads. They marched to No. 46 Hart Road, Sir Edward's residence, and formed a square in the garden. Sir Edward Pearce, in company with Mr. Millington, inspected the troops. Sir Edward expressed his approval of the smart appearance of the boys, and in a breezy speech said he was pleased to see them on that afternoon. He had always taken a keen interest in the scout movement and would do so all his life. He was especi laily interested in scouts because he went to Charterhouse with Major-General Sir aden Powell. When he (Sir Edward) was last in England, the Leader of the Scouts asked him about the progress of the movement id China, and, unfortunately, it was impossible to tell.-him anything. However, Sir Edward said he was going to England in a few days, and intended to make a point of: telling General Baden Powell all about the scouts in China.
In conclusion Sir Edward reminded his hearers that the best years of their lives were from the age of 10 to 18, and the best way to utilize those years was by joining the boy scouts. He finally thanked them for the way in which they had honoured him, Lady Pearce joining him in his wishes.
The District Commissioner replied briefly and three rousing cheers, followed by a "tiger," were given for Sir Edward and Lady Pearce. The scouts were then entertained to tea and afterwards marched to their encampment in Avenue Haig, to undergo some preliminary instruction in connexion with the forthcoming Jamboree, to be held on Empire Day.
The following officers were present ae the inspection as well as the District Commissioner:—District Scoutmaster A. M. Scott-Morris, Scoutmaster Moffat, M.c., Scoutmaster S. Here, Assistant Scoutmaster N. 8. Jacobs, Assistant Scoutmaster D, Whiteman, Assistant Scoutmaster Whitcher and Assistant Scoutmaster A. J. Deer.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.