BOY SCOUTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 54, 27 November 1928, Page 15

BOY SCOUTS

DOMINION EXECUTIVE’S REPORT.

A year of progress is recorded in the annual report of the Dominion executive of the Boy Scouts’ Association. It is stated that the association has increased in strength, and the Dominion census taken during September showed that the total increase was 510 in all ranks. The total strength of the association is now 11,043, as against 10.533 for last year. “The most gratifying feature,’’ states the report, “is the increase of 183 in the warranted ranks. It has always been the contention of the Dominion executive that, provided the officers could be found, many more Scout units could be formed. It is more satisfactory, it is claimed, to have the existing troops and packs fully officered than to enrol new units insufficiently officered. During the year, a new Scout district was formed in Southland, and, in addition to the new troops which were formed in the larger centres, nineteen country towns established either troops or packs, which is an indication of the more widespread interest being taken in the movement.” Marked interest has been shown by Scouters during the year in advanced training, it is stated. The scheme of special training for Scouters, introduced by the Chief Scout, and known as the wood badge course, has been taken up more enthusiastically, as far as numbers are concerned, this year than has been the case in previous years. The Cub section of the movement has been catered for also. 'The list of badges earned, and the numbers of second-class, first-class, and King Scouts shows that more attention is now being given to qualifying the Scouts upon definite lines. The exemption of Scouters from military training, declares the report, has again proved of great benefit to the movement, and is undoubtedly a great factor in enabling numbers of senior Scouts, upon promotion to warranted rank, to remain in the movement. Satisfaction is expressed iu regard to the increase in Sea Scouting. Last there were eight companies, with 20.-; Scouts, and this year there are 15 companies, with 357 Scouts. The Sea Scout branch, the report states, shows a far greater expansion, proportionally, than either the Bov Scouts or Wolf Cubs, and indicates that at last the call of the sea is making an appeal to New Zealand boys. The report states that fifty passages have been arranged on tiie Tamaroa, sailing from Wellington on June 8, 1929, for Scouts to attend the Imperial Jamboree which is to be held at Birkenhead, in August, 1929, to mark the 21st anniversary of the inauguration of the inclement. Applications for Scouts Io wake the trip will be considere» up (ill December 1. „ , At the beginning of the year, the credit balance of assets over liabilities was £3035. and at Ihe close of the year Hie surplus of assets over liabilities was £3434. of which £604 is cash in current accounts, whilst £2OOO is in reserve account and on fixed deposit.