KAPONGA.

Hawera Star, Volume L, 27 October 1930, Page 6

KAPONGA.

SCOUTS’ ANNUAL MEETING (From Our Own Correspondent.) Tlie first annual meeting of the Kaponga Boy Scouts and Cubs was held in the supper room of the Town Hall on Friday evening. The chairman of the local group, Kev. P. J. Cos.sum, presided over a good attendance of parents and friends of the movement. The statement of receipts and expenditure for the year ended September 30 showed that £5 2s 9d had been handed over from the previous troop; subscriptions from Scouts and Cubs amounting to £3 10s 7d, receipts from street stall £5 19s and 15s 4d collected at the anniversary social. The chief items of expenditure were badges £2 3s 9d, publication 12s, punch ball, boxing gloves, football, etc., £3 7s Sd, leaving a credit balance of £4 14s lid. The annual report, presented by the {chairman, was as follows: In presenting the first- annual report the group committee of the Kaponga Scouts desire to record its appreciation of the sympathy shown in the movement and for the help and co-operation of the parents and public. The troop was formed without ostentation on June 14, 1929, the first scoutmaster Being Mr L. A. Wells. Since then 54 parades have been held and the attendance has been good. Commencing with 13 members, tbe troop was. ere long, called upon to lose by death a very promising member. Scout Allan Bates. In recording this fact we desire to eon-i vey our sympathy to his parents and place on record the sense of loss felt by the troop. The membership is now L2. Tlie Cub pack began with a membership of eight, which has since been increased to 10. The work of our first year has been somewhat handicapped by unavoidable changes in staff. Early in the year Scoutmaster L. A. Wells felt compelled ,owing to pressure of other work, to relinquish his duties as scoutmaster. He was succeeded by ’tlie then assistant scoutmaster, 11. Gwyn, who still holds the position of scoutmaster, being ably assisted by Assistant Scoutmaster L. A. W. Brewer. The Cub pack also has suffered in the same way, Cubmaster V. O. Betts resigning and the assistant cubmaster, K. Albon, taking his place. Cubmaster Albon is still in charge. The following equipment has been purchased by the committee during the year: Set boxing gloves, punch ball, set of signalling flags and two footballs. The Kaponga Fire Brigade 'generously donated a hand-cart to the troop. This gift, has already proved useful to the troop for camp work. The troop is also indebted to Mrs E. B. To it for tbe donation of a New Zealand ensign. During the ■ year the troop has been favoured with a visit from Major Sandford. Commissioner for training; the Major visited the troop- on parade and his address and suggestions proved very helpful. On j two occasions wc have had the pleasure of the company of Mr F. W. Horner, the Commissioner, for South Taranaki; first at the initial enrolment, when Mr Horner performed the investiture ceremonies, and again at the first anniversary celebration. The happiest relations exist between the troop and the Commissioner, whose visits are always appreciated. In February last the Scouts and Cubs 1 were taken to Hawera to hear Major Sandford’s account of the world jamboree hold in England, which lie attended in charge of the New Zealand contingent. The hoys greatly enjoyed the outing, and our thanks are due to the friends who, by the use of their cars, made the trip possible, During Easter a

Scout camp was held on Mr Gwyn’is farm on tlie Eltham Road, the Scoutmaster being in charge. The venture was most successful and proved most helpful to the Scouts. The Scouts are now preparing for two great events. One is the Scout competitions to be held in Hawera on November 8; the -other the visit of the Chief Scout, Lord Baden-Powell, to the Dominion in Mardh next, In conclusion, the I committee desires to, thank most sinj cerely the many friends who have as[siisted the troop during the year, notj ably Mr C. E. Betts for the use of the Scout rooms, tlie fire brigade for its gift, Airs E. B. Brewer for a gift of I skinping ropes, and Alessrs Betts and Roberts for the transfer of the funds of the old scout troop to the present troop. The following were elected to tlie committee for the ensuing year: Messrs Albon, Brewer, Cossum, Corder and Tatter sail (re-elected) and Messrs A. E. Anderson and C. N. Gordge. Air Stan. Death was appointed auditor. -On the motion of the chairman it was decided that a letter of thanks be forwarded to tlie Town Board for its generosity in allowing free -use of the meeting room. At a subsequent meeting of tlie committee Rev. P. J. Cossum was elected chairman and Mr C. A. Corder secretary.

EIRE BRIGADE

At a further meeting of Kaponga bandsmen and firemen, held oil Thursday evening, matters in connection with the forthcoming procession were further advanced. It- was decided that a children’s fancy decorated bicycle competition would be run in connection with the proession, for which a special prize, donated by Air J. H. Tyack, would be given. This competition with the ppOcession, for which a years of age. It was further announced that a display of fireworks would be given in the section opposite the Town Hall at 7.45 p.m.