BOY SCOUT ACTIVITIES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7084, 5 December 1929, Page 3

BOY SCOUT ACTIVITIES

Feilding Branch Meeting

PRESENTATION TO MR AND .MRS H. E. HOCKEN

The annual meeting of the Feilding organisation of the Boy Scouts! Association was held in the Parish hall last evening, when the opportunity was taken to make a presentation of an illuminated address to Mr. and Mrs. H. E. 'Hocken, of Grassmere, Colyton, in appreciation of their practical help to the Feilding Scouts. The address which is the work of Mr. T. K. Hay, a member of the Citizens’ Committee, and is enclosed in a solid oak frame, is as follows:

“To Mr. and Mrs. Hocken ‘Grassmere,’ Colyton, “lVe desire to express our deep sense of gratitude to you for your kindness to us in the Scout Camps held on your property in January, 1928 and 1929.' - - - -

“Your provision of a beautiful camp site supplemented by your most constant'thoughtfulness and sincere regard for our welfare have endeared you and your- family to every ' Scout' and earned the appreciation of the Feilding Citizens’ Committee and of our parents. “We wish you both, with your family, ; long life and happiness and-sin-cerely thank you for helping us in'our desire to do our duty to God, the King and our Fellowmen.”

Then appear the names of the Scouts as follow:—E. Street (Scoutmaster), G. Rbsbman, S. Eade, C. Silcock, K. Smith, D. ■ Smith - -'(assistant - Scoutmaster), FFeagey (cook), M. Buist, A. Jensen, D. Milner, J. Neilson, H. Waugh and T. Baker (patrol leaders) and, R. Beazev, L. Bums, N. Davenport, C. .Dawson, P. Dawson, B. Devery, H. Dowriclc, L. P. Eade, A- Finch, A. Flintoff, F.. Harford, ’A. Hay ward, H. Heap,. S. Hocken, R. James, J. Jeffs, T. King, R, parkin, A. Leuchske, D. L. Long, A. Long, P. Milner, J.. Mills, L. McDonald, J. McEwan, L. McEwah, D. McFarland, R. Neill, K. Noble, J. Packer, J. Shortall, P. Silcock, Peter Sutton, Paul Sutton, J. Walton,' I. Waugh and j. Williams (Scouts)..,

The Address is signed by W. H. McLean as’Camp Commandant; E. Hassall (Commissioner) and A. C.'Buist (secretary)'. ' : ' Annual Report- : Th'o . following report on the year’3 operations was submitted, to the meeting. by the Commissioner:—The past year has-been one of progress and achievement' in. the Scout movement, and-the committee is gratified with tin.) continued, enthusiasm displayed by the Scouts and Cubs, together with their capable officers. . The excellent support accorded by the" citizens of,. Feilding and district has been justified by the results achieved by our lads and their Ichders. ' The committee has held four meetings, • besides assisting during the year .in various' other activities with the troop and'packs. The committee comprises E.' Hassall (Commissioner and chairnjan), the Mayor (Mr. C. ,E. Taylor), Messrs' E. Fair, -W.- E. Cartbew, F. Dowrick, G. J. Fitzpatrick, T. K- Hay, C. S. : Jeffs (hon., treasurer), K. M. Little, O. Sporle, Major McLean, A. H. Sutton,:J. S. Tingey, T. Watson and A. - C.. Buist (hon secretary),. During Mr. Jeffs’, absence in. England,. Mr. G. J. Fitzpatrick acted as hon. treasurer. The roll ..totals 42 Scouts and. 38 Wolf Cubs, including, officers. . Owing to increased numbers, and enthusiasm, it was found . expedient .'to .create two ; cub packs, one of - which is, under the command of Cub-Master Eileen Geary and assistant-C., M. Ellen. Guthrie and'the other, under Cub-Master Eileen Young and assistant C. M. Majorie Morphy. Scoutmaster Street, with his assistant Scoutmasters, K. Smith, D. Smith and i>. 'Milner, continue to perform Excellent services with, the Scout troop, whilst Mr. A., C. Buist, as District Scoutmaster, ■ represents' the committee in the . general oversight and management of the troop and packs. The committee is . indebted to those citizens who have examined the lads for their various proficiency badges, there being a general improvement in ' all * ranks and,four Scouts are now qualified for their King’s Scout' Badges and ready for their Gold. All-round Cords. -Scoutmaster Street has earned his five years’ service medal, and wo congratulate Cubmaster 'Eileen Geary upon- passing the" examinations for her Akela badge.

An enjoyable parents’ social was given last year, "and our _ representatives were successful in competitions at'both the Bulls-Ohakea sports and the Feilding A. and P. • show. ■ ' Useful services have been performed by Various Scouts and Cubs, whilsu members have assisted at the Anzao luncheon, the retailers’ procession, citizens’ band concert and several other public function's. Scouts again cleaned up the ; soldiers’ memorial and each lad is ' encouraged to do his ‘ ‘ good turn every day. ■ The -camp is the great event., of the Scout year" and the camp held last January on Mr. H. E. Hocken’s beautiful property was again an outstanding success. The parents and lads, with the committee, are • deeply.'indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Hocken for innumerable kindnesses and to Major McLean who again proved an. ideal camp commandant. To the many kind friends who interested themselves in the welfare •of the lads in .camp, the committee extends its sincere thanks. It is hoped to hold a similar camp next January, as the committee feels this is not otoly a treat for the lads but practical training’in the highest principles of Scoutcraft.

Through the courtesy of the Manchester street school committee, weekly parades are held in the quad, and this is a much appreciated privilege. Assistant Scoutmaster' Keith Smith has made for each Cub Pack a totem pole, and the committee is indebted to him for his kindly thought. The Scout troop is anxious to have a flag, and the committee hopes to arrange this. ' August S was a memorable dat6 for Scouts throughout the world, as it marked the 21st anniversary of the movement, agd a special parade ia

Feilding was fittingly addressed by the Mayor and others. The treasurer’s statement shows a credit balance of £ls 16s lid, after meeting camp expenses and the year’s charges, but the committee is anxious to raise £lO by January to meet camp expenses for the coming year. The committee thanks honorary members who have enrolled and invites many more to join up, as the charge is only the nominal sum of ss.

Again thanks are due to those various friends who have in many ways assisted the committee in its efforts to train young citizens in th 6 highest ideals. Mention must also be made of the generosity of those members of the committee who frequently placed their cars at the disposal of the lads to enable them to attend various functions. Mr. C. S. Jeffs generously sent out from Home 12 splendid Scout books to start a library. The committee would again urge upon all parents : and citizens to strongly support the . Scout movement, which stands for tru6 citizenship,