LIFE SAVING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25457, 11 February 1944, Page 5

LIFE SAVING

IMPORTANT SCOUTING ACTIVITY NORTH OTAGO ASSOCIATION It was pointed out by Mr L. V. Bryant at the quarterly meeting of the North Otago Scouts' Association on Wednesday night that life saving was an important Scouting activity, but nothing was being done in that direction in North Otago. The question of considering ways and means of stimulating interest and making Scouts efficient in life saving, he said, had been referred to the meeting. Mr S. Kinder stated that some districts held annual swimming carnivals, with intertroop life saving competitions. For a start they could held intertroop swimming competitions, which would lead up to life saving competitions. Messrs Kinder, Elvidge Cropp, and Smith, and Brother Beaden were appointed a committee to arrange such a carnival this season.

There were present at the meeting— Messrs R. H. Watson (chairman) and L. V. Bryant (secretary), District Commissioner W. H. S. Widdowson, and a good representation of Scouters and members of troop committees. Commissioner Widdowson reported that the first national service badge to come to North Otago had been received foi Mervyn Gray (Waitaki South), of St. Luke’s Troop. Mr E. D. Watts, who attended the meeting, referred to the supply of Scout and Cub badges. Troop committees were requested to send in lists of badge requirements by the end of the month. The secretary reported that many letters of appreciation had been received in connection with the attention given to the gardens of soldiers now serving overseas. Thirty-six gardens were being kept in order by Scouts in Oantaru. Tne secretary reported that he had interviewed the Girl Guide commissioner (Miss J. B. Wilson) about the date for Founders’ Day. As February 21 was the birthday of the late Chief Scout, he said, Sunday, February 20, would be a suitable day for both organisations.—The meet.ng agreed that a Founder’s Day memorial service should take the form of a " Scouts’ Own ” in the Oamaru Gardens, on February 20, at 3 p.m. It was agreed to invite the Oamaru Ministers’ Association to cooperate in the function. Commissioner Widdowson reported on his visits to the camps held by St. Patrick’s, St. Kevin’s, Waitaki, St. Paul’s, and Sea Scouts, all of which were well conducted. He also referred to the formation of a new cub pack at the North End, which was making, excellent progress under Miss Helen Gibb. He would like, he said, to see troops which did not have the opportunity of camping at Christmas— Columba 'and St. Luke’s—make arrangements for Easter camps. . Mr S. Kinder suggested that there should be a combined camp at Easter, each troop being in a separate "camp under one headquarters. This scheme, he considered, would go a long way towards creating better fellowship and co-operation between troops, which had been lacking in the past. The suggestion, which was considered an excellent one, was referred to the next meeting of scouters for report. It was agreed that if a Junior Red Cross was formed in Oamaru, the Scout movement in North Otago would cooperate and appoint a representative to the committee. The commissioner reported that if the equipment was available, Mr S. R. Cuthbertson would be pleased.to hold classes during the winter for air-spotters’ badges.

It was agreed to make the necessary application for the loan of equipment. Good wishes to District Scoutmaster Colin Jones and Mrs Jones (Miss Ruth Woodgate) on their marriage were expressed. The commissioner said that Mrs Jones had given long service as Cubmaster to St. Paul’s Pack, and now that she was relieved of the position at St. Paul’s he would like her to accept the position of district Cubmaster. —It was agreed to request Mrs Jones to accept the position. Warrants for Assistant Scoutmasters Mary Brown (Otekaike) and Mamie Tonkin (St. Paul's) were formally approved for presentation. A letter was received from headquarters asking the association to ascertain whether there were any defence buildings in the district which might become available after the war and also what Scout groups could contribute towards the purchase price. Commissioner Widdowson referred to certain defence buildings which, he considered, would be very suitable for a permanent training camp as a centre for the area from Dunedin to Christchurch. These buildings, he said, had been paid for out of the War Expenses Fund, and they should be handed over to the Scout movement free of charge.—lt was agreed to make the necessary application for the acquisition of these buildings.