YEAR OF PROGRESS

Evening Star, Issue 21233, 14 October 1932, Page 3

YEAR OF PROGRESS

BOY SCOUTS' ASSOCIATION POSITION SATISFACTORY “ Much good work has boon done during the past year, which has been one of progress, satisfaction, and encouragement, for the boys have learned those things to build up character and to make good men in the future,” commented Assistant Metropolitan Commissioner A. Martin at the annual meeting of the Dunedin Boy Scouts’ Association last evening, when reviewing the activities of the past twelve months. Opening the meeting the Chairman (Metropolitan Commissioner 1). A. Solomon) welcomed the large number of supporters present, especially representatives of the Hotary Club and also the Christian Brothers’ High School, from which it was expected a number of new troops would be supplied in the near future. KKPORTS AX I) BALAXCF-SHKF.T. .Moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (previously published), the Chairman said they had been fortunate to secure the services of Messrs Watts and La mg, of the Rotary Club, on the Area Council. ’As they were business men, thy had been of the utmost assistance in putting the affairs of the association on a businesslike basis. It was unfortunate that this year the expenditure of the association had been larger than its income. The only income had been the interest on debentures and a tew ur.nations. However, ho assured the meeting that the Finance Sub-committee, which was considering a new scheme of obtaining funds, would have a brighter report to submit next year. In regard to last .Saturday’s rally, he said it was a great success as far as Scouting was concerned, .but from a financial viewpoint it was a dismal lailnrc. .Mo thanked the troops that took part and also the Girl Guidos for their assistance. He hoped that in future there would he a great deal more co-opera-tion between the two movements. Assistant Metropolitan Commissioner A. Martin seconded the .notion, ami in doing so said that the finances of the association had been well ionserved in the past, and had the assocmtiou not been careful during the na.-t year there would have been a considerably smaller balance. They did not desire to use their reserve ids, hui they wanted other means of obtaining money. Xotbing had boon wasted up to the present, but the movement was growing and costing more to administer. Ho referred to the good work ol the district committees, flic Scooters, and the Cnhhcrs in their continued interest in the hoys. Reviewing dm m.st year, he could only say that much good' work had been done. It had Im.-n a vear of progress, satisfaction. -Mid an eouragement, for the hoys had ned those'things that would build up character and "make good men in future. Scouting was a good movement, and well worth supporting.

Tile rpotion was carried. An appeal i'or more Scoulcrs and Scoutmasters was made by District. Scoutmaster C. S. Cummings, wl eu submitting bis report of the -.car's work. It behoved everybody to seek out suitable leaders. Tour men were required, and the assistance of everyone 1 was desired. District Cubmaster R. W. Watt spoke in much the same strain in regard to his section of the movement. [t was reported by the metropolitan secretary (Mr T. D. B. I’aterson) tliat there had been an increase in the Scout membership for the year if 13.), but there had been one less Cub. AREA COUNCIL. The election of Area Council resulted:—Northern Division: J. Alains (North Dunedin) and P. Evans (Mohicans). Southern Division: Messrs G. Glue (Ocean Beach) and J. H. Kirkwood (Anderson’s Bay). Country Division: Messrs W. It. Michaelis (Alexandra) and J, M. Mackay (Pembroke) . A recommendation came from the St. Clair Committee that the council should consist of representatives of each troop, so that the ideas of individual troops could alwavs bo before the council. “ The suggestion is. a good and proper one, but it would make the executive too unwieldy,” said the Chairman. “But 1. suggest to get over tno difficulty a Management Committee bo elected from the executive. I shall place the recommendation before the next meeting of the council.” HONOURS CONFERRED. No sooner had the agenda been completed than Colonel P. Clennell «.n----wiek, C.M.G., dominion .chief commissioner, and Major W. E. S. Furby, dominion headquarters commissioner, arrived and wore welcomed. Tliq former was called upon to present a deputy(amp chief’s wood badge to Mctropoli tan Training Commissioner G. A. M'Gregor, and an honorary medal of merit to Mr T. D. B. Paterson. In conferring these honours, Colonel Fenwick said, in regard to Mr Paterson, that ho had served his division very loyally for ten years, and was thoroughly deserving of the recognition. Mr M'Gregor was a trim ex ample for a loader of young men in camp, and, though he was the youngest camp chief, the speaker felt that a good choice had been made. Ho then wont on to refer to .Scant work as a service to the country Tim most valuable service one could oiler was to one's country. “Wo Jiavo a good country, and it is up to us to see our people are worthy of it. Scoutmasters are doing great patriots 1 ’ work, but they need all the encouragement their committees and supporters can offer them. And I hope more assistance will be given in the future. Money is not all we need to carry on —we want pleased hearts.” Major Furby said that. ,as advocated by Sir Baden-Powell ‘when he visited lb' dominion, commissioners were to-dav not merely figureheads hut they were turning Heir atlenvinn more to (raining. He addressed Sera itmasters and others in charge ol the hoys on the advisability of keeping all interested until they completed Urnii

first class badge work, and he also aid how much more the movement, wgujd benefit if training were taken morn seriously. They could only hope tog** the best out of their work by putting their best into it. He also urged supporters to rally round the Scoutmasters and assist still more, and concluded hr congratulating those upon whom hom ours bad been conferred. “ This organisation is still being attended to witii vim and loyalty, and it is doing good work,” declared Mr ]’. I!. Sargood. of the Rotary Club. Ho felt that although the association required very little finance, this had to bo secured, and he was sure that if the body were to make itself felt more in the community it would soon overcome its financial worries. Mr V. S. Jacobs (president of the Rotary Chib) said that the body he represented was in full sympathy with the movement, and anything it could do to further the interests of the Scouts be believed it would do willingly. Ho wished the association every success in C'e forthcoming year. District Commissioner C. E. Rich* aids (Alexandra), representing Centra! Otago, said it was a pity there did not exist a qloser union between the town and country Smuts. Each section was out of touch with the other. In Central Otago most of the were book- taught, and some experienced we v e wanted. All spect/ws. : n addbion to the ba:r. nan a’ul Mr E. \V. Meek, referred to Ibp Miitab'n recognition of the v er ■•• s <«f Messrs Paterson and MTlregor, wb-e when called upon to reply, were gi rated, in turn, with loud applause and cheering.