CANTERBURY BOY SCOUTS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27132, 31 August 1953, Page 11

CANTERBURY BOY SCOUTS

ANNUAL REPORTS “The census returns show that our cub and scout numbers have increased,” says Sir Joseph Ward, county commissioner of the Canterbury Boy Scouts’ Association,' in his report to be presented at the annual meeting of the association on September 11. “There is a decline in the number of scouters and it is imperative that endeavours be made to obtain more scouters.”

The assistant county commissioner for scouts (Mr L. A. G. McCulloch) says the last year has shown no startling change in the number either of scouts or of scouters, but there is still no doubt that the standard of scouting is still improving. “This is shown by the increased numbers oi Queen’s Scouts and first-class scouts z in the country, as well as by the number of scouters who have taken preliminary training during the year.” The number of Queen’s Scouts is the highest for many years, Mr McCulloch’s report continues. Special mention must be made of the Fendalton troop where bne patrol are all Queen’s Scouts. The number of firstclass scouts could be increased, he says. “It was hoped that allowing scout masters to take all but the final test for this badge instead of making the scout wait for a special field day would help here, but the increase has not been as great as was anticipated.” “The year under review has been a difficult one from a financial point of view with increased expenditure and the inability of business firms to continue the support they have given us in the past,’’ say? the report of the acting-treasurer (Mr L. A. Lilly). “It lis felt, however, that in the coming year with the formation of a finance committee this difficulty will be overcome. “Income is similar to other years, but the falling-off of donations has had an adverse effect on our year’s operations. The balance-sheet reveals the affairs of the county to be in a healthy state. All the assets are in first-class condition, and stock, which is our best asset, is all in readily saleable goods. Our main liabilities are, of course, to groups, but on the basis upon which this form of bank account operates it is found that stocks can be built ur and a better service given to aIL”