BOY SCOUTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23321, 13 October 1937, Page 6

BOY SCOUTS

DUNEDIN ASSOCIATION INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP At the annual meeting of the Dunedin Boy Scouts’ Association last night the metropolitan commissioner (Mr C. H. Wing) occupied the chair. There was a large attendance of Scouts, parents, and supporters of the movement. Among the apologies received was one from Sir Percy Sargood, president of the association, who is at present in Australia. The president sent his best wishes for a successful meeting, and expressed the hope that an enjoyable year would result for all Scouts. Annual Report As Dr Borrie was unable to reside in Dunedin, the annual report stated, he had relinquished the position of metropolitan commissioner, and Commissioner Wing had been appointed to the position. During the year the following were appointed commissioners; he Rev. C. M. Sullivan, for Rovers, W. F. Ashman, for Lone and Crippled Scouts; and A. Black, for Sea Scouts, The census taken in September revealed an increase in membership of 188, compared with the figures of the previous year. It was with pleasure that advice was received that the World Chief had awarded the Silver Wolf to the president (Sir Percy Sargood) in recognition of his long and keen interest in the movement. Mr J. L. Passmore, a keen enthusiast of Scout work, had been appointed a member of the Dominion Council. By the death of Mr W. J. Holsworth, metropolitan commissioner at Auckland, the movement had lost an able man, and the death of Mr J. C. White, for many years associated with the Caversham Committee, and a member of the Metropolitan Council and official examiner for the ambulance badge, had been a distinct loss to Scouting. At the request' of Imperial headquarters in England, a reorganisation of Dominion headquarters had taken place. Dr P. C. Fenwick, who for many years was Dominion Chief C<pmmissioner, tendered his resignation, and Commissioner H. Christie, of Wanganui, was appointed to the vacancy. Following on this, it was decided to transfer the headquarters of the movement to Wellington, and it was pleasing to state that several improvements had been made in the administration. Owing to the infantile paralysis epidemic, it was necessary to suspend all Scouting activities from December till the middle of February. In November the Governor-General (Viscount Galway) kindly consented to open the new Scout Hall which had been built by the North Dunedin Scout Committee. On March 1? a district church parade was held m honour of the eightieth birthday of the world Chief Scout (Lord BadenPowell). In April a new troop was formed at Wesley, followed by one at Dunback during the same month. Owing to the large number at Christian Brothers, this troop had been divided into two troops. The District Scoutmasters on their visitation of all troops reported good progress, and stated that there were plenty of boys for the formation of new troops as soon as the movement had Scourers available. With a membership of 81 the Sea Scouts were making their presence felt in the district. The newly-formed troop at Tomahawk was well under way, while the formation of a troop at Macandrew Bay was pending. On Labour Day a large party of Sea Scouts would be visiting Invercargill to help along the movement there. Chairman’s Remarks Moving the adoption of the report, the chairman said that the number of Scouts in the district to-day was greater than it had ever been The swimming carnival had proved a success, and it was proposed to hold another in March of next year. The Hobbies Exhibition had been an improvement on previous years, and special credit for the success of the function was due in a large measure to the efforts of the women friends of Scouting, Of the 500 Coronation souvenir programmes received, a total of 471 had been sold. Referring to the Scouts’ Library, it was proposed, the chairman said, that it should contain Scouting books only. He expressed pleasure at the work done by officers, and if the same progress was made during the next 12 months, Scouting in the district must prosper. The standard of Scouting to-day was higher than it had been for a long time. Referring to the finances of the association, Mr Wing said that, although the balance sheet showed a credit, the movement would not progress unless the position was improved. The motion was seconded by Mr J. H. Kirkwood, who said that nowadays there was a tendency to establish the headquarters of all movements in Wellington. and he expressed the hope that the new arrangement was a step in the right direction. The motion was carried. Speaking to the report, Mr A. Dickinson said that, without wishing to discredit the work of the secretary or the auditor, he wished to draw attention to the omission of the amounts of £145 and £25 for the building loan which were not shown on the balance sheet. He moved that the attention of the auditor be called to the omission. As an amendment. Mr A, T. MTndoe moved that the amounts mentioned should be shown at the bottom of the balance sheet. On being out to the meeting, the amendment was lost and the motion was carried. Trophies Presented The following trophies and prizes were presented:— Metropolitan Trophy.—St. Clair Troop. Scout Football Shield.—Christian Brothers No. 1. Cub Football Shield. —St, Clair Pack. Cooking Prizes.—W. Knox (Knox Troop) and R Bruce (Roslyn Troop) General Prior to the conclusion of the meeting. Scoutmasters MTndoe and Culbert. District Cubmasters Payton and Fergus, and Commissioner Black briefly outlined the work carried out by the different branches of Scouting during the past year. Complimentary reference to the work done by Commissioner W. F. Ashman, in his willing and painstaking efforts among the lone and crippled Scouts, was expressed by Mr MTndoe, and on his recommendation a heartv vote of thanks was carried. The Lone ’and Crippled Scouts Movement had shown considerable progress recently. Commissioner Ashman stated in reply. Lone Scouts at five places in Central Otago had been visited, and on each occasion great keenness had been displayed. The infantile paralysis epidemic had been of great service in bringing Scouting into the hospitals, and a committee of women officers had been formed recently to assist in this part of Scouting.—(Applause.)