BOY SCOUTS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17691, 17 February 1923, Page 11

BOY SCOUTS.

DOMINION EXECUTIVE. CAPTAIN COSSGROVE'S RESIGNATION. The executive of the Boy Scouts' Association of New Zealand met last night. Present: Brigadier-General A. W. Andrew (chairman), Messrs H. H. Smith, H. 8. J. Goodman, W. T. Charlewood, W: H. Bishop, Rev. P. Carrington, Rev. W. H. Orbell, Colonel P. 0. Penwick, Lieutenant-Colonel F. B. CresWell, - and Lieutenant J. Hiaes, RJST.V.B., Chief Sea Scout. Canterbury Sea Scouts. The Christchurch Local Association applied to have control of the Sea Scout troops in its district. After some discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Smith, seconded by Lieutenant Hines, to hold the question over till next meeting, the chairman and Lieutenant Hines to obtain information from the local Sea Scout authorities in the meantime. Chief Commissioner's Resignation. The chairman stated: You are aware of the differences of opinion on matters of administration which have arisen between the executive and Captain D. C. W. Cossgrove, and that Captain Cossgrove agreed that if Sir Robert Baden-Powell endorsed the views of the executive he would abide by his decision and go out. Sir Robert Baden-Powell has now done so, and Captain Cossgrove has submitted his resignation to the Dominion Chief Scout, who has accepted it. The Dominion Chief Scout's letter is as follows: "Wellington, February 9th, 1923: Dear General Andrew, —In a letter dated February Sth, Captain Cossgrove writes to me that, on the cabled suggestion of the Chief Scout, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, he has the honour to tender his immediate resignation of the appointment of Dominion Chief Commissioner of the Boy Scouts' Association in New Zealand. I have to-day written to Captain Cossgrove accepting his resignation. Yours sincerely, Jellicoe." The chairman added: I must say that it is only due to Captain Cossgrove to say that he has loyally accepted the situation, as he wrote and informed us that he would do, and has loyally accepted the decision of the Chief Scout and had resigned his position. It was stated, at a later stage of the meeting, that the question of appointing Captain Cossgrove's successor would be dealt with at the annual meeting of the Association. Overseas Commissioner. The chairman stated that Sir Alfred Pickford, Overseas Commissioner, was at present visiting Australia, and intended visiting New Zealand. One of the most important things Sir Alfred was doing was an endeavour to carry out a scheme of immigration of Boy Scouts. His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, in a, letter to the speaker, stated that Sir Alfred had informed him that any expenses connected with his trip'to. New Zealand would be borne by private sources. It was decided to write to Lord Jellicoe and ask him to extend an invitation, on behalf of the Association, to visit New Zealand, and assure him of a warm welcome. It was also decided to thank Sir Alfred for forwarding £ 37 10s, portion of a collection taken up on shipboard in aid of the Scouts. "Scouts' Gazette." The chairman reported that it had been decided to discontinue publication of the "Scouts' Gazettee." The action of the chairman was approved, and a hope was expressed that the cessation of publication would be only temporary. Mr Smith said he estimated that the total loss on the publication, since it was established,, would be between £3OO and £350. On the motion of Colonel Creswell, seconded by Mr Bishop, and by acclamation a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the editor of the "Gazette," the Rev. P. Carrington. Annual Meeting. The chairman said that the annual conference last year decided that the annual meeting and conference should be held in Dunedin. The rules provided that the annual meeting should be held in May. His Excellency the Governor-General had intimated that he desired to be present at the annual meeting if it could be held on April 24th, 25th, or 26th, as in May or June it was quite likely that his Excellency would be away from the Dominion visiting the islands. The chairman added that it would also be a great help if Sir Alfred Pickford could attend the annual meeting, and his Excellency had intimated that he was prepared to ask Sir Alfred to reach New Zealand earlier than he had otherwise intended. It was decided to convene a special meeting of the Council of the Association, to make provision for holding the annual meeting in Christchurch in April or May. The special meeting of the Council Was fixed for 7.30 p.m. on March sth. Other Matters. Regarding the proposal of the Salvation Army to establish Boy Scout troops, it was decided that the chairman and Mr Charlewood be a committee (with power to add) to'meet representatives of the Salvation Army to discuss the matter. It was decided to order from Scout, Headquarters, London, £SO worth of badges. The Rev. W. H. Orbell, the Rev. P. Carrington, and Mr Charlewood were appointed a sub-committee to go through Imperial Scout Headquarters' "Policy Organisation, and Rules" and report as to whether it would be in the interests of tlie movement to adoi)'; it, and to what extent it would require amendment to apply to New Zealand conditions. To tbe Finance Committee was referred the question of finance as between Headquarters and Local Associations, and also a scheme propounded by Mr P. L. Witherby for the collection of £2OOO or £3OOO in the Dominion yearly to carry on fhe movement,. the report to be submitted to the next meeting of the executive. Award for Bravery. It was decided to recommend the Dominion Chief Scout to award tho gilt cross to Patrol-Leader Percy L. j Nicklin, Hobsonville Troop, who, on February 11th, 1522, at Brigham's Creek, saved a youth from drowning. Nicklin and others of the troop thought that the youth was diving, but when he came to the surface he was se?n to be in difficulties, and Nicklin swam out to him and brought him to the side of the wharf, where the other Scouts pulled the youth ashore. In forwarding the application for recognition, the district secretary, Mr E. B. B. Boswell, wrote: "The action of the boy and his mates seems to be highly commendable." Gilt crosses were also recommended ,to be awarded Eovers Herbert Baldwin and William Bush, of the Leys Institute Troop, who with another vouth (not a Boy Scout) on January 28th saved a young man who was seized j

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with cramp while bathing near Point Erin Park, Ponsonby, and who was in great danger of being drowned. There was a very strong current running, and the non-Sccut and the young man who had been seized with the cramp were being swept further from shore when the Rover Scouts swam to their assistance. Members of the executive regretted that they could not make an award in the case of the rescuer, who was not a Scout,