Hora Kora Scout Troop Achievements

Northern Advocate, 16 July 1949, Page 8

Hora Kora Scout Troop Achievements

“I would like to see all the groups in the town with their own headquarters, but that needs substantial effort., spread over years,” said the District Scout Corhmissioncr for Whangarei (Mr L. Philpott), at the annual meeting of the Hora Hora Boy Scout Troop. Mr Philpott said that he would also like to see district headquarters with lunch-rooms. These would be good for the movement, as well as for the boys.

“It is pleasing to note that the members of this troop are working for the good of the movement as a whole, and not just for their group. This will help lo make scouting the success that it should be." the commissioner remarked.

Scoutors’ training courses are to be arranged. He said that there was not a scooter in the district who would not benefit from the courses —including himself.

The chairman (Mr P. Harris) said in his annual report that the past year had been a most successful one for scouting in general in the Whangarei district, and particularly for the flora Ilora troop. STEADY GROWTH "The highlights of the year were the visit of the Chief Scout (Lord RowaJlan). and the summer camp at Russell. Both these events were an inspiration to scouting, and the movement gained considerably from tile publicity given." Mr Harris touched on the various activities of the troop during the year, and said that the most important factor of all was the steady growth in the number of boys enrolled.

“In regard to the matter of leaders, Horn Hora has been most fortunate. We have secured the assistance of Mr Pointon as scoutmaster. Mr Nelson as eubmastcr and Miss Ferguson as assistant cub-mistress.

"Looking to the future, we have another bottle drive in October, and it is hoped that a country camp will be held during the summer." To the incoming committee Mr Harris said that scouting was a movement which continued to function only by the continual and combined efforts of teachers and lay-workers.

Although the affairs of the group were in a most satisfactory condition, they would require the same enthusiastic work which had been manifested during the past year, he said. The balance sheet showed a credit of £SO 12 BENEFITS COMMUNITY Mr Pointon. as new scoutmaster presented his first annual report. Upon returning to the movement after a lapse of 30 years. Mr Pointon said that the benefits to be derived from it were brought home to' him. “The community as a whole benefits from scouting by virtue of the fact that some of its youth is being trained to be loyal, upright and useful future citizens.

“Boys also benefit by their training as the various subjects which they are taught will be constantly used in later life."

The report staled that it had been said that the Boy Scout of today dtd not do enough out-door work. While this may be true it did not mean that the present scout was any less efficient when compared to the scout c? 30 years ago. “A comparison of the amusements available in those days with those of today inclines me think that the scout of today requires a greater amount of keenness than his predecessors.” During the year the strength of the troop rose from 22 to 27. NEAR MAXIMUM Training of boys was given on systematic lines, and special praise was due to the assistant-scoutmaster Brian Lawrence and troop leader Rodney Hancock. *I ' l-l I* .1 A' . 4 i/. rl 4L. . i •1* ... u mm

The report stated that if one more recruit was taken in it would be necessary to create a waiting list, as the den only enabled 28 boys to attend with sufficient room for training and games. Mr A. Nelson, the cubmaster reported that 18 boys were attending regularly. The pack had been closed, with the result that any new members would have to wait until some cubs went up into the scouts. Officers elected were: Chairman. Mr P. Harris; secretary-treasurer, Mr R. Lawrence; hon., auditor, Mr G. A. Bothell: committee, Mesdames P. Harris, C. Magill, R. Lawrence, C. Penning. R. Galpin. A. Maunsell, Messrs C. Baker, R. Galpin and A. MaunselJ.