Scouts’ Training Ground

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30561, 2 October 1964, Page 1

Scouts’ Training Ground

The Boy Scouts’ Association has bought 11 acres of land, with small house, ablution, kitchen, and conveniences block, and three cabins, at Kaiapoi. The property, costing £ll,OOO, would be developed by the Canterbury area scouts as a training and rally area for scouters, rovers, scouts, and cubs, said the Area Commissioner for Canterbury (Mr R. J. Moore). The property, a major part of Blue Skies Motels, is off the Main North road at the southern boundary of the Kaiapoi borough. It was sold to the scouts by the owner, Mr H. A. Rush. The scouts will not take possession until February 1, so that persons booked into the motels for the holidays at Christmas will not be disappointed A road lined with young trees gives access to the property off the main road. The land is subdivided into one long paddock running parallel with the main road, and five other paddocks running

east and west. All the land is well grassed, and 1500 young trees are planted round the boundaries. The property also has a 40ft by 20ft barn in excellent order. It is reticulated for water and has a well with high-pressure pump. The house is small, with one bedroom. The three cabins to be retained by the scouts are in excellent condition, Mr Rush has sold the remaining motels to another buyer. He is the head of the Rush Construction Company, Ltd. “We have had plans for a training camp for years, and this, is an ideal site.” Mr Moore said. He said that there were more than 3000 cubs in the Canterbury area, 2500 scouts, 5000 sea, air, and venturer scouts and 1000 scouters (scout and cub masters). “When we have developed the area, we will be able to have 500 scouts : or cubs camped there without crowding,” Mr Moore said. Considerable development would be needed and this would require finance, said Mr Moore.

“We will be planting a great many more trees in May in copses to make natural camping sites in the area. The water reticulation will need to be extended, and we will want a lot more equipment. “We will be making an appeal to the public next year on the ground that we will be able to train youngsters as cubs, scouts, rovers, and scouters, thereby making these youngsters and adults more self-reliant, unselfish, and better citizens able to stand on their own and be leaders if required in peace and war,” Mr Moore said.

Mr Moore said that Mr and Mrs Rush had been generous in negotiating the sale. They had wanted the area to remain a picnic ground and not to be cut up for housing.