BOY SCOUTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 306, 29 November 1927, Page 2

BOY SCOUTS

GROWTH Of MOVEMENT.

The annual report of the council of the Dominion Boy Scouts’ Association, presented to the meeting last week, announced, with regret, the resignation of his Excellency Sir Charles Fergusson from the position of Dominion Chief Scout. His Excellency’s resignation in no way implies that his interest in the movement will not be continued, continued the report. He lias retained the office of patron of the ,Boy Scouts’ Association, and has expressed his intention of continuing to support the movement in every possible way and upon every occasion. The following table shows the growth of the movement during the year under review:—

During the 12 months ended September 30 last, theb adges issued to Boy Scouts were as iollow: —King Scout, 182; first class, 431; second class, 1477. To Wolf Cubs: First star, 623; second star, 347. For the Dominion, the increase in growth in 12 months has been 31.54 per cent. A remarkable increase is ! that of 42 per cent, in the strength! of the warrant ranks, indicating that the difficulty of officering the Scout and Cub units is being overcome. The increase in Sea Scouting is gratifying, and it is the desire of the executive that the sea spirit should be fostered amongst the rising generation. Evidence of the keenness of Wellington in the matter of sea scouting is given by the very creditable performance put up by the “Collingwood” company in winning Earl Jellicoe’s silver trident for the best all-round Sea Scout company in the Dominion. Reference is made to the award, the highest that can be conferred on a Boy .Scout, df the “Cornwell” Scout badge to Troop Leader A. Meachen, of Wellington. This award is conferred only by the Chief Scout himself. Silver crosses (far gallantry with considerable risk) have been awarded Rover Scout T. Rennie (Dunedin) and Patrol Leader J. Mehalski (Dunedin). Other awards are set out in the report. At the beginning of the year, assets exceeded liabilities by £2472, of which £2046 was represented by cash in hand and reserve. At the close of the year. the surplus of assets over liabilities amounted to £3035, of which £2257 is represented by cash in hand and in reserve. GROWTH OF THE MOVEMENT LOCALLY. The following tables illustrate the growth of the rnovement in Manawatu, Feikling and Bulls:

GOOD SCOUT WORK. Among the notes on training and usefulness to others reference is made tp the Te Awe Awe Cubs, who assisted to raise £2O for the Unemployed Fund and continued to care for the graves of deceased soldiers at the Terrace End Cemetery. Two widows had the constant attention of the pack for various little tasks. The Bulls Cubs and Scouts, the report proceeded, frequently entertained the trainees at Flock House with concert parties.* Other “good turns” done by the Bulls branch mentioned were as follow;—“Went to recreation children’s playground and cleared up rubbish and burnt it; dug weeds out of the lawn in front of the monument; did a pack a good turn by going to Feilding and giving a demonstration to the newly-formed pack there.” PETER’S POLE COMPETITION.

Mention was made of the Te Awe Awe Cub Pack as the winners of Peter’s Pole against increased competition. Last year there were only three entries, but in addition to the winners seven other packs competed this year. The placings were as follow : Te Awe Awe Pack, Palmerston North, 1; St. Aidan’s Pack, Auckland, 2; Lihwood, No. 1 Pack, Christchurch, 3. “The winners,” it is recorded, “who were runners-up last year are deserving of the heartiest congratulations upon their meritorious performance, and it may be interesting to note that this pack is controlled by a lady cubmaster, Sister Elliott.”

1927 1926 Inc. Boy Scouts 6400 5341 1059 Wolf Cubs 3063 1903 1160 Sea Scouts . 205 155 50 Rovers ... ... 78 ' 54 24 Scout Officers ... 787554 233 Boy Scout Troops 237 . 204 . 33 Wolf Cup Packs 142 92 50

MANAWATU. 1927 1926 Inc. Boy Scout Troops ... 8. 6 2 Wolf Cub Packs . "2 2 — Scout Officers ... .23 16 7 Bpy Scouts ... ... : 203 138 65 Wolf Cub's ... ... •72 82 -iO FEILDINGr. v 1927 •1926 Inc. Boy Scout Troops 1 ' 1 : ■ _ Wolf Cup Packs 1 1 — Scout Officers ... ■■ 8 3 5

Boy Scouts ... ... 50 70 -20 Wolf Gubs 55 20 35 , bulls; 1927 1926 Inc. Boy Scout Troops 6 3 3 Wolf Cub Packs . 6 2 4 Scout Officers 27 12 15 Boy Scouts 165 94 71 Wolf Cubs ... ... 105 42 62