BOY SCOUTS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17430, 15 April 1922, Page 4

BOY SCOUTS.

MEETING of dominion EXECUTIVE. The Dominion Executive Committee of the Boy Soouts Association met on Thursday night. Present—Brigadier-General A. "W. Andrew (chairman), Colonel F. B. Cre»well, Messrs H. H. Smith, and H. S. J. Goodman, and the Chief Commissioner (Captain I>. O. "W. Cossgrove). Apologies were received for the absence of Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P., and the Rev. W. H. Orbell. Mr Smith (chairman of the Finance Committee) submitted a statement of receipts for the month ended March 31st, showing a balance to credit of £477 9s 6d. Sea Scont Movement. The chairman reported that he had been unsuccessful in getting the consent of eral nautical gentlemen he had approached to take the position of Chief Sea Scout; ho intended makirig further enquiries. _ The Chief Commissioner reported that, in accordance with the instructions of the executive, nine boats had been purchased from the Union Steam Ship Company. They hod been overhauled at Port Chalmers at a cost

of £25 odd, and on Teceipt of part of the Navy League's grant the deal had been completed. Two of the boats_ were being held at Dunedin until preparations for their reception at Timaru were completed: the other seven boat? would come to Lyttelton, and it was proposed that, on their arrival there, members of the executive and representatives of the Navy League should inspect them. It was also suggested that an oval medallion should be placed on the port and starboard bows of each boat, with the words, "N.Z. Sea Scouts" thereon, and, as a compliment to the Navy League, the emblem of the League and the words "Presented by the Canterbury Branch of the Navy League.' Three boats would be required for Sumner, at which place the Scout movement had been re-organised. Mr Bishop, New Brighton, was transforming a large portion of his troop into Sea Scouts. It was anticipated that ""e .or two boats would be required nt Kaiapoi. . During his recent visit to Kaikoura ho had come to the conclusion that the place was not suitable for a troop of Sea Scouts. He proposed visiting Akaroa during Easj»r to see what where the prospects for iuo establishment of a troop of Sea Scouts there. The Lyttelton Boy Scouts had been ganised; the troop had its own boat, and a committee of citizens had "been formed to raire funds for a hall. ' The chairman said that the Commissioner was preparing regulations for the Dominion Sea Scouts on the experience gained by Ibo Lyttelton Sea Scouts. That troop was a very fine one, and he thought it would prove a model to the whole Dominion.

Clifton and Stunner Sea Sconts. A deputation, consisting of Messrs F. H. E. Neville and P. T. Dick, representing the Clifton Sea Scouts and the Sumner _ Sea Soouts, waited on the executive to ask it to guarantee the amount of the hire of the schooner, Annie Hill, for the use of the Sea Scouts at Sumner; part to be utilised as Sea Scout Headquarters; and another part to be devoted to the use of town Sea Scouts. Mr Neville detailed the negotiations that had taken place with the owners, who offered to hire the vessel for £4O per annum; if the Sea Soouts effected certain caulking and painting (estimated to cost £3O or £4O) no charge would be made_ for the first year. They wished the executive to guarantee £4O for the second year's hire; they felt pretty sure that the executive would not be called upon under the guarantee. After the deputation-had answered a number of questions, and had withdrawn, the executive, after discussion, decided, on the motion of the Chief Commissioner, seconded by Colonel Creswell: "That the deputation be informed that, provided the chairman and Chief Commissioner report that the vessel proposed to be hired for the Clifton Sea Scouts is suitable for the purpose, and that the arrangements made with Miller Brothers for the hire thereof are satisfactory to the executive, the executive will have pleasure in guaranteeing £4O for the first two years." Awards for Bravery. His Excellency the Governor-GemeraiTe official secretary wrote forwarding a gilt cross for presentation to Scout Oliver Wakefield, to whom his Excellency sent his congratulations on his courage aid resource. It was decided to recommend his Excellency to award a gilt cross with white ribbon to Scout Angus, in lieu of the gilt medal recommended at the previous meeting of the executive. A certificate' of merit is to be issued to Scout Salmond. " Dominion Bally. The Chiif Commissioner repotted that the proposal to hold a Dominion Rally had been favourably received in all parts, and though suggestions . had been mad© that it should bo held in another place than Christohuron, the general' opinion appeared to be that Christchurch presented superior attractions. It was\ proposed to hold the rally from December 28th, 1922, to January 10th, 1928. Replying to questions, the Chief Commissioner said that he knew for a certainty, from reports received, that at least 2000 Scouts would attend the Rally; there were 250 in Timaru "breaking their necks" to trek from Timaru to, Christohurch to attend it. ' . ■ • ' It was decided to write to the Canterbury A. and'P. Association and enquire whether the Addington Show Grounds would be available to hold the Rally on, and what the charge would be. Appointments and Resignations. The resignation of Mr J. L. Lightfoot as Commissioner for Blenheim was accepted, and it was decided to record the executive's appreciation of his services. ' Mr Lightfoot will continue to be connectod with tne movement as chairman of the Blenheim Scout Committee. '<>. The Rev. P. Carrington's resignation as Commissioner for Canterbury Central was accepted, and it was decided to appoint him Headquarters Commissioner for the training of staff officers, with the Btatus of Provincial Commissioner. The appointment of Mr G. Lancaster as Mr Carrington's successor was agreed to. : It was decided to nominate Mr W. T. Charlewood for a seat on the Council of the Association, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr S. G. Raymond, K.C. The Amokura. The chairman reported that Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P., and himself,' when in Wellington, went fully into the question of acquiring the Amokura. On finding that the Wellington Harbour Board would not agree to the vessel being moored in a central position on the waterfront, and that the place the Board was prepared to allow her to be moored would render her unsuitable is a meeting place for Scouta,. Mr leitt and he decided, after talking the matter over, that it would be useless to go further with the matter. I The action of the chairman and Mr Isitt :was confirmed. The chairman reported that negotiations had btfen opened up' with the Prime Minister and the Marine Department as to obtaining four of the Amokura's boats. .. Exemption from Military Training. The Chief Commissioner stated that he had received the following ■ letter from General Headquarters N.Z. Military Forces, Wellington: — Referring to your letter, dated March 25th, I have to «#vise that the points raised by you have be'Sn considered, and the following instructions'issued to Commands:— "Scoutmasters and Assistant-Scoutmasters of the Boy Scouts' Association may be exempted from military training providing a certificate is furnished by the Chief Commissioner to the effect that such trainee is rendering efficient service as' a Sco^master or Assistant-Scoutmaster. . "This certificate is to be' submitted to the staff officer \jn charge of the regimental district by the trainee claiming exemption from military training in accordance with the above. Total exemption .will be granted only on the oondition that trainees do three years' service as Scoutmasters or Assistant-Soout-masters; should they not complete three years' efficient service as such? they may bo required to carry out the whole of their military training in such manner as' may be ordered." • . CAMPS AT BUBWOOD. The St. Luke's and St. Matthew's (Lady Liverpool's Own) Troops are holding Easter camps on the Education Reserve, Bottle Lake road, Barwood. . Of the St. Lube's "Troop there, are 82 in oamp, under Mr H. Froggatt . (provincial secretary) and two officers. * They attended service at St. Luke's at 9 a.m. yesterday, and immediately afterwards left for camp, where the boys soon settled down to-. all the joy* of outdoor freedom. The Troop possesses * great camping convenience in the shape of a wcil-oonstructed hut, which was designed and elected by membres of the Troop with>out any assistance inm their officers. It is fitted with eight bank®, and there is suitable food .storage accommodation. The hut is to be dedicated <m Monday, at 2^o r ™ bf the Yen. Archdeacon wfcft

will be assisted, it is hoped, by the Rev. P. Carrington, who was tho first Scoutmaater of the Troop. Visitors will b® welcom® /t cimp to-morrow, between 2.30 p.m. and 6 p.m., and also on Monday during the same hours. Yestei-day Scoutmaster Soott, of th« Balcairn Troop, and three members of that Troop, visited the camp, having travelled by train to Chatey's, and walked to Burwood. They join tho St. Luke's Troop camp today. Camp will be struck on Tuesday' afternoon. Th« St. Matthew's (Lady Liverpool's Own) Troop is occupying the Association hut, and the nuir.ber in cam? is nine, under Scoutmaster Robinson. The work being don« in. eludes badge instruction, general scout worJr, and scouting games. The preeenoe of a con* siderable area of sandhills, covered with lupins, gives ample scope and ideal conditions for scouting games. Visitors' day will bo to-mornow, between 2.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Camp in to be struck on MTtaday afternoon.

Signs are not wanting that the outlook in the land market is brightening somewhat. "Things are picking up a bit," remarked a member of a prominent firm of Palmerston North land, stock, and station agents to a "Standard" representative the other day. "I have done more mileage in my car during the past week than for the last twelve months." The agent added that* a dairying property changed hands —it' was a genuine sale—last week at £45 an acre, and a fairly large sum waa paid down in cash on the deal. The price represented a reduction of about £ls t>er acre on the value ruling during the land boom. This, he considered, went to confirm the opinion held in well-informed quarters that there would be a fairly appreciable drop in all farm land valuos once produce prices stabilised and the property market commenced to move in earnest again. The property in question was situated about five miles out of Palmerston North. There has also been a good deal of enquiry locally for good sheep country.