BOY SCOUTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 November 1924, Page 10

BOY SCOUTS.

PROCRESS OF MOVEMENT. WORK IN NEW ZEALAND. The Dominion headquarters of the New Zealand section of the Boy Scouts’ Association, which is located at Christchurch, report a marked increase in the movement as a result of the past twelve months’ working. Eighteen months ago, says the report, a change of policy was instituted oy the Dominion Executive Committee, whereby the control of administration, troop finance, and the selection and approval of .scoutmasters and assistant scoutmasters was vested in troop committees, which are formed from ladies and gentlemen comprising the general public. This has been found most helpful to scoutmasters, and has left them more time to devote to scout training. When Sir Alfred Pickford came to New Zealand last year, it was decided to adopt the rules in force for the guidance and instruction of those in the movement in the Old Country. This was a great step forward in the standardisation of uniform, badges, and regulations throughout the Empire. The wisdom of adopting a common course must have been apparent at the great gathering of 13,000 scouts from all parts of the British Empire at the Imperial Jamboree held at Wembley last August. Of this . number, 3462 scouts were from 28 British Dominions, Crown colonies, and protectorates overseas, and included scouts of all races and colour whose homes are under the British flag. The following figures show the rapid expansion in the scout movement durng the twelve months from September 30, 1923, till September 30, 1924: — Troops in local associations, 28; lone troops, 24; cul> packs in local associations, 39; Sea Scout troops, 4; scoutmasters and assistant scoutmasters, "8; cuhmnsters and assistant cubmasters, 52; Sea Scoutmasters and mates, 11 ; Boy Scouts. 484: Sea Scouts, 1 1 *8; wolf cubs, 617; rover scouts, 54.' The total increase in personnel is 1399. The Christchurch local association, ahi Ist showing an increase in wolf cubs, has gone backward in its liuili3yrs of Bov Scouts. On the other hand, Nelson has made wonderful progress] and, besides splendid troops of ’ Boy scouts, has the honour of possessing riie champion Sea Scout trono in the Dominion—the winners this year of the Tovernor-Oeiieral’s silver trident. Wellington city shows remarkable progress, nder Sir Alfred Robin’s administra'on, no f«wer than 458: hoys having " 011 enrolled during the past four nonriis. Auckland still keens its place the largest scout centre in New '■enland.