ST. CLAIR BOY SCOUTS

Evening Star, Issue 21905, 17 December 1934, Page 17

ST. CLAIR BOY SCOUTS

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the above troop was held at St. Clair on Friday. Prior to the meeting being held, the Cub Pack gave an exhibition of its work. The Scouts also contributed one or two items. There was a good attendance of parents and others interested. . _ In the absence of the chairman of the Parents’ Comniittee Mr J. R. Callender presided. The chairman referred to the great loss they had sustained in the death of their late Cubber, Walter R. Rodgerson, which had taken place since their last annual meeting. He was a great Scout and Cubber, and had gained the highest distinction obtainable in both these ranks. He asked those present to stand for a few moments as a mark of esteem to his memory. , . , ' .. , The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet,, referred to the good work carried out by the Scouts and Cubs during the year. An instruction camp had been held at Woodside during the Easter holidays. They had been fortunate in securing the services of Scoutmaster Waymouth, formerly* a Scbuter at Invercargill, who, during the short time he had been with the St. Clair Troop, had made himself very popular with the boys and was carrying out good work amongst them. The strength of the troop was gradually increasing. Mrs E. Denny had presented the. troop with a silver-mounted staff in memory of her late son Gray. The staff was for competition among the different patrols and would be known as the Gray Denny Memorial Trophy. The Chairman congratulated Mr C. de R. Andrews, a member of comniittee, who had been selected for the position of district'commissioner for the southern district. To Mr Boult, another member of committee, their appreciation was due for instructing the Scouts in signalling and_ assisting'-the Scoutmaster in other directions. The interchange of assistant Scoutmaster as arranged by the commissioner was a step in the right direction. Whilst there had been a slight falling off in their revenue, the finances of the troop were still satisfactory. Mr L. D. Coombs seconded the adoption and referred to the excellent work carried out by the committee.

Commissioner C. de R. AndrcAvs congratulated the committee and officers of the troop. He pointed out to the parents that they should bS verv grateful for the Avork done by the officers in charge of the troop in helping their children in the good work of Scout law and Scouting. He appealed to them, to see that their boys joined up Avith the troop and attended regularly at the parades held weekly. Tavo or three of the committee Avero alwavs in attendance at these meetings. The Scout moA-ement was a strong one, and was going ahead in Dunedin and elseAvhere. A strong contingent of Scouts from the dominion (250) avouW be leaving for Melbourne shortly to take part in the big jamboree to be held there. Fourteen were going from Dunedin, making Otago’s onota twenty-five. Scoutmaster Waymouth reported' briefly on what hat] been done during the short period he had been in charge of the troop. Cnbber J. Macassey. in presenting his report on the Cub Pack, referred to the late Cubher Rodgerson’s excellent work during the six years he had been Avith the pack. The Cnh Pack was thirty-six strong. Avith an average attendance of thirty. He Avas indebted to F.x-Gnide Helen Andrews and Mr C; Christopher for the assistance they had given him during the year. _ The Huh "had gained twelve proficiency badges, eight stars, and first stars. In the hohh'v shoAv carried out by the Area, Council for all troops in the district St. Clair Pack had secured five firsts, three seconds, and two thirds, a snecial prize being Avon bv Cub Peter Calvert. A team from the Cubs had won the Baird Memorial Shield. Avhich was given to_ encourage Soccer among Cnh packs in the district.

Commissioner E; C. Win", who was present, congratulated St. Clair on its Scout and Cub pack, and said he would he taking some Scouts into camp at the Leith Valley during the Christmas and New Year holidays. He extended an invitation to any Scout who had his parents’ permission to attend the camp. He would be pleased to have the assistance of some officers. __. Mr J. R. Rodgorson, the retiring chairman, thanked members of committee for the great assistance they had given during the year. He paid p, tribute to their hon. secretary, Mr E. Falck, who had done excellent work in that position. Mr Falck. in thanking Mr Rodgerson, . pointed out that ’ the St. Clair Troop had been reformed in October, 1927, Mr A. J. Wood was the chairman and Mr Rodgerson the secretary, who, along with Messrs Callender and himself, had held executive positions on the committee during the last seven years. He wished to retire from the secretaryship, hut would he pleased to still help on the Parents’ Committee. The following officers were elected: — Chairman, Mr L. D. Coombs; secretary, Mr C. ■!. Wood; auditor, Mr J. R. Callender ( re-elected ) ; committee — Rev. Mr M'Downll, Messrs J. R. Rodgerson, D. R. Callender. E. N. Falck, L. C. Calvert, Major Lam pen, Staff-sergeant Bonlt, C. Andrews. E. L. Macassey, tl. MacDonald. F. Pritchard, and A. W. Triags. Mesdames Callender, Myles, Wood. E. L. Macassey, .Coombs, Harronld, Ombler, Newnll. Lamp-u, Boult, Andrews. Davidson, and Rodgerson. Ali' E. L. Macassey moved a vote of thanks to the outgoing members of committee. He also referred to matters helpful to the Scout movement.