SCOUT NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 21 December 1937, Page 9

SCOUT NOTES

DISTRICT COMMISSIONER’S REPORT WORK or DOMINION COUNCIL NEW LEADER APPOINTED

The final Seoul Executive and scoulcrs’ meeting for the year was held at the residence of the Commissioner, ! Dr. D. W. S. .loh. si on, when repre- j scnlalives from Takaka, Motucka. Wai- i moa group and City groups assembled j to hear the Commissioner report on j the work of the Scout Association Do- j minion Council, which was held in Wei- : lington towards the end ot November. The Dominion Council, the Commissioner said, was a very inspiring gathering of commissioners from all parts of the New Zealand, and much work was accomplished during the deliberations which would further the movement to which all those gathered owed allegiance. The change from Christchurch to Wellington, of the Dominion headquarters, had brought new ideas. | and .subsequent activities would have j fresh vigour.

Mr 11. Christie, of Wanganui, who I had been holding the position of Act- 1 ing-Chicf Commissioner, was elected to j till that important position, and Dr. j Johnston said he felt that he was the \

right man for the job, having a clear vision of the aims of the movement. His letter to scoulcrs was read urging

tile definite aim of getting into the open with the boys. “Keep the 'Out' ” in I scouting to the force was the new j

I Chief Commissioner's strong point. Dr. j Johnston also mentioned the fact that I the ministers of Auckland were ac- i | lively engaged in raising T 5.000 for the i j advancement of scouting in Auckland. j The remits from the Nelson Execu- j five received a sympathetic hearing i from the Council and we arc pleased to learn that the Marksman's Badge is to be restored. This was deleted some tyears ago but the need for a definite understanding of the handling and care of a rifle or shotgun is necessary for the safety of the user as well as those in the shooting party. The Jellicoc Trident. which has been in the hands of I j the Iron Duke Sea Scouts for many j | years, is to receive new impetus and once t | again competitions between sea scout | troops of New Zealand arc to be instituted. The request for the appointment j |of a Dominion Commissioner for seal scouts is to be considered in the near | : future. I The Commissioner thanked the scout j •and cubmastcrs for their support dur- ’ j ing 1937. and fell that lie could rely j ■on them for a forward move during \ \ 1938. I Scoutmaster Berry, of the St. Joseph s ; I Troop, suggested that a combined camp i ! of Nelson District Scouts be held some j | time next year, and after a discussion t la Committee was set up to organise;

this event.

Many interesting phases of the work were discussed during the evening and after supper, which was provided by Mrs Johnston, the happy gathering was brought to a close.

Cubmastcr, Mrs Coleman, presented bouquets to Mrs Johnston and Miss i Stewart as a mark of appreciation for j so kindly looking after the social side; of the scoulcrs’ gatherings which have j been held all through the year at the; Commissioner's residence. The District; Scoutmaster presented the Commis- j sioncr and the District Secretary with ; tokens of esteem.

There were thirty-seven present, comprising committeemen, scoutmasters and cubmastcrs from all parts of the province, and this happy gathering will long be remembered.

The Rev. Sanders, of Richmond, clos-1 ed the mioting wtih prayer and the

Benediction

The Commission 'r and executive take this opportunity of wishing all scouts and cubs a very happy Christmas and trust all the boys will enjoy themselves to the full at their various camps. We j arc looking forward to a great advance | in 1938.

SCOUTS AX!) VICTIMS OF WAR

The sympathy of the Boy Scouts of all the world goes to their brother Scouts who arc in the war zones of the Fiir East and in Spain. Blit it is p’ ing to receive news of how Boy Scouts are helping the civilians in the disasters and the aftermath of the bombing raids, states the Boy Scouts "News Bulletin". A correspondent in China writes: "One thing that stands out is the su-

perb work done by the Chinese Boy Scouts. Whether it is a question of cleaning up a mess such as (he results of bombing, or handling reli.igcc crowds, or looking after food supplies for hospitals, they are always on the job and doing things well.”

And 'such is the spirit of Scouting that Chinese and Japanese Scouts camped together in entire harmony at the recent World Jarnbc ’■ a in Holland. When asked by a visitor how this could be done, one o! them replied: “We are here as brother Scouts." Deep Sea Scouts from British ships in China arc also doing their bit to help the refugees.

Mr Hubert Marlin, the Boy Scout International Commissioner in London, says that lie is still able tu correspond with some of the leaders of the Boy Scouts of Spain in various parts of the country, and they tell him they are carrying on to the best of their ability. B.itli sides in the dispute have accepted the services of the Scouts for humanitarian work such as hospital and Red Cross aid. and looking after refugees.

DEATH OF MR L. Y. ANDREWS

We deeply regret the tragic death of Mr Lewis Yelland Andrews. Districl Commissioner of Galilee, who was shot dead in Nazareth (states the "Bulletin”).

Mr Andrews was the acting Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of Palestine, and his leadership will be greatly

missed.