BADEN-POWELL GUILD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27317, 17 February 1950, Page 3

BADEN-POWELL GUILD

Formation In Oamaru It was not the responsibility of district headquarters to see that groups had of-, fleers, said District Commissioner W. H. S. Widdowson, at a meeting of the executive of the North Otago Boy Scouts' Association on Wednesday night, when appealing to group committees .to take action to fill vacancies. Commissioner Widdowson was speaking on the necessity for groups to find officers for troops and packs. Mr W. C. Richards, secretary, was instructed to write to group committees without officers asking them to make every endeavour to fill vacancies. Commissioner Widdowson also made reference to the difficulty being experienced in keeping youths in the movement after they had left school. He reported that Mr H. C. Lightwood, a former district commissioner, had undertaken an appointment to organise a branch of the Baden-Powell Guild for old Scouts in North Otago. Mr Lightwood said that the project was an important one and requested that group committees supply him with the names of former Scouts so that he could arrange an interview with them. The question of an amalgamation of groups also came up for discussion, but it was decided to hold the matter over for consideration at a later date. District Commissioner Widdowson advised that he could not represent the association at a conference of the Dominion training team at Tatum Park between March 19 and 21. District Scoutmaster S. Kinder was appointed to represent the association.

The question of obtaining a suitable camp site was again placed before the meeting. It was pointed out that between 60 and 100 acres, close to water and cover, would be required. District Commissioner Widdowson expressed the view that a site at Hampden or Herbert would be most suitable. It was decided to advertise for a site. District Commissioner Widdowson said that the Founder’s Day ceremony would be held on February 26 in the Public Gardens, and Scouter Hall, Dunedin, had accepted an invitation to speak.