The Opening Ceremony.
Bingley Hall, Birmingham, was full of Scouts, and friends of Scouts, on Wednesday, July 2nd, when Her Royal Highness Princess Alexander of Teck, accompanied by His Serene Highness Prince Alexander, came to declare the Exhibition opened.
Punctually at 2.30, their Royal Highnesses mounted the platform, on which were many Scout officers, and other friends of the movement.
The Lord Mayor, in welcoming the Royal guests, said: "I want to draw your attention to the very hearty welcome we all give you."
Princess Alexander of Teck next declared the Exhibition open, and then, amid real Scout cheers and great applause, the Chief stood up to propose a vote of thanks to the Princess. ◇◇
What the Chief Scout Said.
Scouts, said Sir Robert, whatever their age and size, were always doing other people good turns, but they did not always have good turns done to them, especially when they began, and he thanked their Royal Highnesses for doing them a very big good turn by coming to the Exhibition.
Prince Alexander, he said, was the forerunner of the Boy Scouts; for, in the days of the Matabele War, the Prince wore out his leggings, and fought through the rest of the campaign with bare legs!
He said that the present was the first exhibition at which boys had received prizes for work done, not in school, but in time, and it showed England what the Boy Scouts could do if they tried.
17
