BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24053, 15 September 1943, Page 3

BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT

CANTERBURY COUNTY MEETING.

CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER BODIES

“Boys are a wonderful trinity of body, mind, and spirit, and the realisation of the separate and corporate needs of these sections of his make-up in this great movement conceived by Lord Baden Powell is of immense value to the community,” said Archdeacon A. C. Purchas, in an address on “Ideals of Scouting,” at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Boy Scouts’ Association last evening. “The boy is a healthy animal, but he also needs hobbies.” continued Archdeacon Purchas. “I was amazed to learn from an Air Force officer recently that 50 per cent.’ of the lads on his station had no hobbies and that' almost that proportion were not connected with any sport. It seems that there is still the prime need for scouting which prompted Lord Baden Powell to.establish the movement when he found more than one third of the men being rejected for war service because of deficiencies.” After tracing the provision for physical and recreational training in scouting, Archdeacon Purchas said: “and in hiking, camps, games, in the glory and beauty of it all, our boys must be shown a greater power.” He said he was alarmed to learn from a recent census that 90 per cent, of the youth of the country was nqt connecter with any religious organisation. He did not know how the figure had been reached, but even allowing for exaggeration it was safe to say that 50 per cent; lacked this stabilising influence. The positive creed of scouting appealed to boys much more than prohibitions.

A goal of 500 new members had been set for the coming year said the County Commissioner (Captain Sir Joseph Ward), moving the adoption of the annual report. The membership had increased by 350 in the last 12 months. Manpower difficulties had been experienced but all troops were now functioning with the necessary leaders. He thanked parents, scouters, and supporters for their assistance to the movement.

Speaking of the extension of the movement, Sir Joseph Ward said there seemed to be a common misapprehension that the association disapproved of controlled troops. He wished to make it clear that churches and other organisations would be welcomed into registration if they wished to form troops,of their own. On the suggestion of the County Commissioner it was agreed to form a County Scout Association of representatives from interested associations, who will meet quarterly to discuss the welfare of scouting and co-operation with other organisations. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews), who presided, expressed the city’s appreciation of the benefit to the community of scout training, and he also thanked members for their efforts in the E.P.S. and waste collections. Local association warrants were presented to the newly-formed eastern and western divisions of the Christchurch area, and district commissioners’ warrants were •also presented. Long-service certificates were presented to Mrs Lester, Messrs H. E. Gott, G. Woods, F. A. Brittan, and R. Lockwood.

Gifts of property at Brooklands from Mr B. Patrick and a cave bach to accommodate 40 at Taylor’s Mistake from Mr: R. Cowper, were acknowledged and appreciation expressed. The following officers were elected: —secretary, Mr. A. W. V. Reeves; treasurer. Mr R. G. Compton; honorary solicitors, Messrs Joynt, Andrews, Cottrell, and Dawson; honorary auditors, Messrs Holland and Kerr.