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BOY SCOUTS

ANNUAL REPORT OFASSOCIATION

MEMBERS AND REVENUE SHOW DECLINE

A drop throughout the Dominion of 998 members is recorded in the twenty-sixth annual report of the Boy Scouts' Association, which will be presented to the Dominion council at the annual meeting in Wellington on November 21. The total now stands at 13,154 and the decrease is general through the various sections of the movement. There is a decrease also of nine groups recorded during the year. An optimistic outlook, however, is held by the association, as it is thought that the drop was only to be expected through the economic conditions in the Dominion. The year began with a surplus of, assets over liabilities of £ 1437 6s lOd, of which £9BB 3s 9d was in cash. After the year's working this had been reduced to an excess of £1175 4s Id with £777 7s 9d in cash. "These figures will indicate that our resources, accumulated In the years when we were granted the Government subsidy and received considerable donations, are being steadily depleted notwithstanding the utmost economy under all headings of expenditure," states the report. "The position was put before the Prime Minister and a grant of £250 to cover the drift was asked for, but this was declined by the Government. The shortage has caused a reduction in expenditure, notably in training." By the will of Mr George Jameson, of Christchurch, the association expects to benefit by about £SO. This will be the first time that the association has benefited from a will. Camp Training A policy of decentralising has been followed with the training staff by having a chain of deputy camp chiefs and Akela leaders, appointed from qualified scouters, at important centres throughout the Dominion. This has cut down to a minimum the expenditure on camp staffs for local Gilwell camps. Three of these camps were held during the Christmas and New Year holidays and three during Easter. Finding positions for senior scouts is causing much worry to many officers. With the additional burden of failing finances the problem of absorbing boys into industry has become increasingly difficult. The illness of the Chief Scout, Lord Baden-Powell, has prevented him from arriving in New Zealand this month and his tour of the Dominion will now be held after the international jamboree in conjunction with the Melbourne Centenary celebrations. He will be accompanied by Lady BadenPowell and Lieutenant-Colonel G. Walton, 0.8.E.—-Commissioner for Rover Scouts—who will deputise for him if his health will not permit his attendance at any function arranged in his honour. The report also records with regret the impending departure of the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe), who is the chief scout for New Zealand. His deep interest in the work, states the report, has endeared him to scouts and cubs in New Zealand, and has been an example to them all.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19341117.2.20

Bibliographic details

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21324, 17 November 1934, Page 6

Word Count
474

BOY SCOUTS Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21324, 17 November 1934, Page 6

BOY SCOUTS Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21324, 17 November 1934, Page 6