10,000 NEW MEMBERS

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31043, 26 April 1966, Page 15

10,000 NEW MEMBERS

Boy Scouts’ Aims “The Boy Scouts’ Association of New Zealand aims to raise membership by 10,000," said Mr D. Watson, assistant area commissioner for Canterbury, at the annual meeting of the Rata District Association. “This would mean about 800 new scouts in Canterbury, which would come down to about two or three new scouts in every group. “We hope to recruit quality as well as quantity. Numbers have been falling, partly through the influence of television, but this may be a passing phase, “The association constantly tries to improve training, and organisation is being examined all the time. The New Zealand innovation of Venturer Scouting, in which boys nearing adulthood can give service to the community, recently impressed Mr R. F. Tliurman, who is international camp chief and director of adult training,” said Mr Watson.

Mr H. J. Rippington, who had been treasurer for the Rata district for five years, was thanked for his work when he retired last evening. The district association had a credit balance of £9B 4s 4d at the end of January. Mr R. L. Cook was re-elected as chairman and Mr H. I. Taylor as secretary. The appointment of a new treasurer was left for the next general meeting of the district association. Films were shown on glacier climbing and the Canterbury University. The meeting was held in the Wainoni scout den, next to the Wainoni Methodist Church.