HUTT VALLEY SCOUTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 301, 15 September 1933, Page 18

HUTT VALLEY SCOUTS

Big Increase in Numbers A decided Increase in numbers, in spite of a difficult year, is shown in the annual report of the Hutt Valley and Bays Boy Scouts district. Details show that the membership comprises 352 Wolf Cubs, 360 Boy Scouts, 30 Sea Scouts, 25 River Scouts, 10 Sea Hovers and 77 Scouters, making a total of 854 active members. In the Wellington metropolitan area competitions the district was successful in winning the “mapping and sketching,” “observation and deduction,” and “eampcraft” sections. The teams for first aid and morse and,semaphore signalling, Although not winning, nevertheless did creditable work. Gratification is expressed at the awarding by the Chief Scout for the Dominion, his Excellency Lord Bledisloe, the association’s honorary medal of merit to the Ist Lower Hutt and St. Augustine, Petone, groups, for long service and excellent performance in scouting, these being the first awards of their kind made to any group in the Dominion. , - . . Congratulations were extended to Sir Alfred Robin, Hon. Metropolitan Commissioner, on receiving the highest award in scouting, the honorary silver wolf. ' . 1 The district was further honoured by the appointment by Dominion Headquarters of the Rev. I G. V. Gerard. M.A., M.C., as a deputy camp chief, and Mr. J. W. Bugg as an Akela leader for the training of scouters. Gilwell Wool Badge training was well supported during the year, both in the practical and theoretical courses, which, with the “application” portion, complete the training. Several Gilwell scarves were presented during the year. The appointment of Mr. H. E. Browne aS a commissioner, and Mr. C. Halford as an additional district scoutmaster will make for it higher standard of efficiency and will facilitate visiting. Mr. E. Zambra having resigned his appointment as acting district Rover-Scout leader recently, rover-scouting will be particularly looked after by Mr. Browne. A Badge Examiners’ Board was set up, and a list of official examiners drawn up and furnished to all groups. The object of tlie board is to standard-, ise all scout and cub test work, and also Instruction. A Scout Troop was added to Kiw' Pack at Taita in May, and the Moera Troop, which has been in abeyance for a period, is being revived as a Sea Scout Troop, under a very experienced scouter. Tlie third Lower Hutt Meth-

odist and St. Aloyslus. Catholic. Groups have also added cub packs to their strength, bringing up our totals to 15 cub packs, 14 scout troops, and 4 rover-scout crews or patrols.