BOY SCOUTS

Evening Star, Issue 21231, 12 October 1932, Page 3

BOY SCOUTS

ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL REPOST ■The annual report of the metropolitan secretary of the Boy Scouts’ Association. to he presented at the annual meeting to-morrow evening, states: During the year we have had a number of changes. Mr Meek, after seven years’ service, resigned the position of metropolitan commissioner, his resignation being received with regret. Mr Meek did great service for the movement in this district. For some considerable time we were without a metropolitan commissioner, and then wc had the good fortune to secure the services of Mr 1). A. Solomon. The committee mot regularly every month, and a large amount of business was dealt with. ” One special mcctmg was also held during the year. Two months ago the Rotary Club oflercd tbe services of two of its members for the council. This offer was accepted. During the year the D.S.M. of the Southern Division resigned, and S.M. Gumming, of the Caversham Group, was appointed to fill the vacancy. The district officers have done excellent workin both divisions. In addition to the two D.C.M.s, it was found necessary to appoint an extra one, and D.C.M. Livingstone uvas appointed, with a Hovering commission. The district officers oMioth divisions have done excellent work during the’ year. During the year wc have had the misfortune to lose a few of our first class S.M.s, who were transferred to other parts of the dominion. As formerly, we are still feeling the want of senior officers, but hope in the near future this shortage wifi disappear. This division now numbers twenty-six troops. Monthly meetings of scouters have been hold regularly, the attendance averaging sixteen. Over twenty wan ants have been presented during the year. Four new troops have been added to the register—Knox, Y.M.C.A., Waikouaiti, and Central. a he Rort Chalmers Troop has now been converted into a Sea Scout troop, and p's now known as the “ 'Terra Nova ” J roop ol Boy Scouts. 'Phis troop is the first troop of Sea Scouts to have a Rover crow. Country troops, as reported, are doing well. At present two of our local troops are giving some concern, as we cannot obtain officers for them. One is being kept alive in the meantime by a leader, who is doing splendid work ; the other is being kept together with the assistance of another troop. This division now numbers eighteen packs, and monthly meetings have been held regularly. Another new pack is now ready for registration. Jtxcellont work has been done by the officers. The average attendance at the monthly

meetings is twelve. Seven warrants have been presented during the year. Two new packs have been added to the register—Knox and Central. A Rover crew has again been started under the leadership of Royer Leader Barrett, who lias joined up again. The work of the crew is going on apace, and it is hoped soon to have a supply oi officers who can take charge of troops requiring S.M.s. A new addition to our activities is the holding of officers’ training camps, and it is a very necessary one. Commissioner Maegregor has been appointed training officer by Dominion Headquarters. A camp will be held at the end of the month, and it is to be hoped that as many officers as possible will take advantage of this training course. ST. JOHN AM I! C LANCE BRIGADE. The St. John Ambulance Brigade has supplied each of our troops with an instructor. ■ During the past year we have bad a hard struggle to make ends meet. For the last two years we have had no outside assistance, and must now roly on our own efforts to collect enough to keep us going. The groat increase in the number of our troops, packs, arid Rover crews has increased the work considerably, and must of necessity make our expenses greater. Our only income is £49 10s debenture interest, plus a few donations. Wo are endeavouring to collect from old subscribers, lint so far the response has been poor. This, no doubt, is owing to the state of affairs at the present time. We purpose to secure honorary members, at. say, Ids Gd per annum and subscribers at'ss per annum. If a sufficient number could be obtained at those figures we might have enough to carry us on and save ns from financial worry. During the year a few parades have been hold—Ahzac Day and one or two elm roll parades—all of which have been well attended. The Scouts have assisted at several collections and drives for the distressed, and their work has been greatly appreciated by those societies they assisted. A few leaders’ socials ami combined socials have been held, and have proved successful. The rally held last Saturday at Logan Park proved a huge success as far as the display of the '(fir) Guides. Scouts. Cubs, aml Hovers were concerned, but when everything is .squared up there will not be a very large credit balance. The cup competitions were hold as usual during the year—ambulance, signalling, and pioneering and the displays wore highly complimented by the judges.