BOY SCOUTS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20088, 18 November 1930, Page 9

BOY SCOUTS.

PROGRESS OF THE MOVEMENT. DOMINION EXECUTIVE'S REPORT The twerity-iecond annual report o1 ilie Dominion Executive Committee of the Boy Scouts' Association, to be presented at the annual conference to be held at Wellington to-morrow, gives details of the progress of the movemen'.. Tlia lenoii. sets out thai Lite year under review has been one ot reorganisation in most centres due to the re%ersion, decided noon ai- last years conference, to the policy, organisation, and rules of England. Certain modifications of these were agreed upon and were taken to Imperial headquarters bv Captain J. R. Kirk, and met with the approval of the Chief Scout and the Imperial Council. The Chief Scout fully recognises that such alterations are necessary to meet local conditions in overseas branches.. The action of those Commissioners who have been responsible tor the j acquisition of permanent, camp sttes in j their districts is commended. j Total Strength. The total of all ranks in the Dominion is 11,103; of Soouters (warranted and on probation) 938; of Scouts. | .5383; of Sea Scouts, 252: of Cubs, 3668; and of Rover Scouts, 302. There is an increase of 11 Troops, 16 Packs, and 32 Hover Crews- officers decreased bv five. Scouts by 10, and Sea Scouts bv lo7; but Cubs have increased by 23-t, and Hovers by 234, making a Dominion increase of 296. Training. "I.sst December," continues the report, "the executive decided to appoint Commissioner F. W. Sanclford, Headquarters' Training Commissioner. His services were eagerly sought after, and we have tried our heat to arrange his itinerary to meet all requests for fiis assistance. From all centres visited by him. we have received hearty approval of his appointment. In addition to visiting District Headquarters and Country Groups and conducting local training courses, our Commissioner also conducted the theoretical part ot the Wood Badge Course during the winter months; whilst in Auckland, with the assistance of Deputy Camp Chief Cooksey, he held one of the finest Gilwell Camp Courses in the Dominion. The executive wish to record its appreciation of the many acts of kindness and hospitality extended by Scouters, committeemen, and supporters to Commissioner Snndford during his numerous visits, and also to Commissioner Robin, of Wellington, for his generous donation to defray the cost of a travelling outfit for our Commissioner. Honours and Awards. •'The following awards were made by the Chief Scout during the year: "Honorary Silver Wolf Metropolitan Commissioner W. F. Meek, H.M.M., Duxiedin. "Medal of Merit.—Commissioner J ■ R. H. Cooksey. Hawkc's Bay, 'For their fine work on behalf of the movement.' Gilt Cross. —For bravery, Scout Diumniond Hall, of Auckland, 'For his plucky action in rescuing a boy named Ross Hill, aged five years, irom drowning at the wharf. Murray's Bay, Auckland, at 9 p.m.. on January 12th, 1929.' '•"It is unfortunate th.it owing to irdisposition. Headquarters Commissioner for Sea Scouts wa.-» unable to make his annual inspection of tho S?a Scout units during the year. New irriits have been formxl in Wangan.il and Tirnaru. I.ast Easter the annual Sea Scouts' regatta at Wellington attracted entries from Auckland. Wellington, and Nelson, when the various cups presented by Nelson and Wellington Sea Scout supporters were comT*>ted for. As no inspection was held iliis year. Earl .!ellipse's Sea Scout Trident remains in the bands of the Hon Dukfc Sea Stouts. Nelson. Chief Scout's Visit. "All ranks are eaperly looking forward to the vi-.it of the Chief Scout in February next. It is regretted that wo have been unsuccessful in persuading the Chief to see more rallies than those arranged for on the accepted programme ; hut it is anticipated that record gatherings of Scouts and Glides will be in attendance at the four metropolitan centres. Finance. 'We commenced the year with a i-rcdit cash balance of £2917- 14s 7d, "'id at the end of the year our balance is £1932 ~s "9d. Owing to the withdrawal of the Government subsidy, the executive U compelled to limit expenditure >n several directions; but even though they are exercising rigid economy, the future does not look promising. Should the Government be unable to renew financial support, it is feared that the efficient working and control of the movement will bo most seriously impaired." Report on Financial Position. Appended to the executive's report is tue following report on the Association's financial position by Mr'J. S Middleton. chairman of the Finance ■ Committee: — j "Having been recently elected chairman of the Headquarters Finance Committor, I should like to lay stress on tile present state of the financial condition of the Dominion Executive. From examination of the past balancesheets I find that, for the last five years, no financial assistance has been received by Headquarters ffoin any district in New Zealand, and it is only by the generosity of the New Zealand Government in allowing an annual subsidy to Headquarters that the work of organisation and supervision has been able to be carried on. At the present date, with the utmost economy the cost of administration is £1205 for the year, as against £1646 _ tor the previous twelve months. This is not allowing for el-IP piirr-hnso of badges, literature, and magazines. "The position is a serious one, as the Government grant has now been withdrawn, and it is absolutely necessary that expenses should be cut down in every direction possible. There is one important point 1 should like placed before the annual conference, and that is the expense of the Training Commissioner being borne by the Dominion Executive without any assistance whatever from the various districts. It serins to, me, as a new member, that the districts, which receive all the benefits from the Training Commissioner, should bear either the wholo. or at least the major portion, of his expenses."

CANTERBURY DISTRICT

COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. Following is the report of Commissioner W. H. Montgomery Canterbury Metropolitan District of Boy Scouts, which is included in the report of the Dominion Executive of the Boy Scouts' Association to be presented at the annual conference at Wellington tomorrow : Organisation. The reorganisation of this district was begun by Commissioner Furby, who acted as Metropolitan Commissioner until my appointment on March Ist, 1930. He divided the area into districts, of which there are now six : four in Christchurch and two in the

country. There nrc Commissioners for three of these districts, but throe more are required to make the system complete. The Wolf Cubs. who. of course, form part of the Scout Groups, are j given special attention by a Cub Commissioner, who has under him lour District Cubmasters. This system is likely to work well. An Advisory Committee instituted bv Commissioner Furbv has been of gront assistance in enabling the .Metropolitan Commissioner to keep in touch with Group Committees. As under the now policy, organisation, and rules, special emphasis has been placed 011 the group system, it is important that convmittctes should realise and carry out their responsibilities. The system of records is still very incomplete, but is improving. Meetings of Scouters have been heltl from time to time. The intention is to keep them in touch with the development of the organisation, to discuss matters of S:out policy, and to enable Scouters to bring up any questions in which they are specially interested. Training questions have also been considered. The Kxecutive Committee has not as vet been appointed, but arrangements are nearly complete, and the first meeting will be held shortly. The committee will comprise the Commissioners. representatives of the Rotary Club, of Toe H., and others who show special interest in the movement. Finance. This is a difficulty of the movement. u.nd one of tlie least attractive duties of the Metropolitan Commissioner is to arrange for an adequate finance to meet the office rent and other expense -i. During the year the subscriptions received have enabled this to be done, and we have a small credit balance in the bank ; but more funds ate urgently needed. Census. The returns to September loth. 1930. show that there are in this district 29 Groups, comprising 20 Troops, '-2 Packs, one Sea Scouts Company, and three Rover Crews. Numbers are as follows : —Scouters 82, Scouts 410., Sea Scouts 11, Rovers 15, Wolf Cubs 390. Total 914. The corresponding return for September 30th. 1929, was 1094. Other Groups could be formed Scoutmasters were available, and although the numbers have apparently fallen off, it is considered that the number of effective Scouts is actually greater. Training in Camps. Commissioners report that Scoutmasters have been doing good work in Scout training; but some are short or experienced officers. Application has been made for the Training Commissioner to visit this district and institute training courses. This will be done as soon as possible. Commissioner Rich, who has now been made a Deputy Camp Chief, will arrange for officers' courses during the summer. A well-attended training camp for Cub officers was held at French Farm by Miss Nancy Wilson, Dominion Akela Leader. No less than nine qualified for the Cub Wood Badge. Cam pa have been held by the following Troops and Packs:—Papanui, Trinity, Woolston, Xew Brighton, Little River, Kdgevvare, Linwood. East Belt and Rangiora. 11 is expected that a great impetus to camping will be rcivon this year by the lease of French Farm, an ideal camping ground near Xew Brighton, which is now available for Scout camps and training at any time. The Scouts owe this to the Rotary Club, which has always generously supported the movement. Thanks are due to our financial supporters. to the District Commissioners, Scouters, members oi committees, instructors. badge examiners, and others who have assisted the movement in various ways.