SOUTH TARANAKI SCOUTS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1932, Page 10

SOUTH TARANAKI SCOUTS

ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING. REVIEW BY COMMISSIONER. The annual meeting of the South Taranaki Boy Scouts Association was held at Stratford last night, Commisisoner F. W. Horner presiding over a large attendance. Mr. Horner extended a welcome to Major F. W. Sandford, New Plymouth, divisional instructor in training. Mr. Homer said Major Sandford was often seen at the camps but this was the first time he had attended an association meeting. Reviewing the year’s activities, Mr. Homer said a substantial increase in the number of scouts and scouters during the, year was revealed by the annual census forwarded to headquarters. The present figures showed an increase of 43 scouts and scouters during the year and provided a satisfactory commentary on the Influence and recognition of scouting in the various centres. During the year new troops formed at Ohura and Patea were welcomed and the keenness and enthusiasm of both troops gave substantial promise of future success. While some of the most successful troops had experienced a slight decrease in numbers, this was accounted for by the fact of several families having moved from, the home town in search of employment Since the annual census figures were compiled a new troop had been formed at Waverley and Mr. Homer had the pleasure early last week of visiting this troop; 38 boys were an parade. The annual scout district camp was reld at Toko in May and though the weather somewhat marred the conditions j

3 during the first few days the boys faced j their discomforts in true scouting fash- • ion and splendid work was done. The ■ association thanked Major Sandford, New r Plymouth, and Commissioner Cooksey, I Hawke’s Bay, who both attended the camp and gave of their time and scout- | '■ ing knowledge for the benefit of the { boys; also Mr. and. Mrs. M.' Urquhart and their helpers for all the thoughtfulness and care that was shown by them to the campers. During the year several ‘ troops had held their own annual camps. A number of boys attended the west

coast jamboree at Feilding and returnee ; with enthusiastic accounts of their ex- ■ periences. Some cub-masters and cub- ’ mistresses also attended the cub palavei during the l Labour week-end. The annual scout competitions of th« district were held recently at Hawera the entries constituting a record; ovei 200 scouts and cubs took part in the competitions. The Hawera troop won the Ollerenshaw Cup and the Manaia cube the Legion of Frontiersmen totem pole. Mr. Home asked the judges to give reports on the work done and these should be helpful as a guide to scouters in their future work. During the year he had arranged visits to all the troop committees in the district and had had a lengthy discussion with each. committee on the organisation of scouting and the various duties of troop committees and scout officers. The corner-stone on which the whole of the scouting structure was built was, of course, efficient scouters and the standard’ of efficiency of the scourers was noticeably improving with training and experience. During the year Scouters Blackman, Eltham Troop, and Urquhart, Toko, were awarded the Gilwell Scarf and ’it was hoped that other scout officers of the district would take advantage of 'the opportunities of furthering their scouting knowledge and taking the Wood ;Badge course of training. In -most centres the committees met regularly and co-operated fully with their ‘ officers in the • management and running of the troop. The co-opera-tion'between the citizens’ committee and | the scouters was essential to efficient I

scouting and to maintaining the right contact between the troop and the parents.

Mr. Horner made special reference to the splendid services of the secretary (Mr. E: M. Bardsley), who put in a vast amount of time and energy into the work, the present efficient state of the organisation being a tribute to nis ability and thoroughness. The district was a very large one and a great deal of correspondence was necessary to keep in touch with all the troops and in or-

ganising the various scouting events dur-

ing the year. Various speakers congratulated the chairman on the report. The balance sheet showed an excess of income over expenditure of £2 15s 4d. , Letters regarding the recent competitions were received from the judges, all of whom spoke in enthusiastic terms of the high standard reached by the competitors. Several suggestions were offered and discussed by the meeting, while further discussion followed on the programme for the 1933 competitions. The election of officers resulted: Chairman, Mr. F. W. Horner; secretary, Mr. E. M. Bardsley. The meeting recommended Mr. M. Urquhart be recommended for the position of assistant commissioner. It was decided, to hold a scouters’ week-end at Eltham and a cub-mistress-es’ parley at Manaia. The following committees were elected to deal with arrangements: For Eltham, Scoutmasters Urquhart, Thompson and Blackman; for Manaia, Miss Britland, Messrs. Haytor and Morton, Mrs. Tunnicliffe and Miss Dickson. The time was left to Stratford to decide, with a recommendation that the scouters’ week-end be held near the end of January and the other at the end of February. The annual camp, it was decided, was to be held at Stratford during the second week in May.

OKAIAWA DISTRICT NEWS. TENNIS AND GENERAL ITEMS. Mrs. G. Good was hostess at an enjoyable tennis afternoon on Saturday, when the staff of George and Doughty, Hawera, and other tennis enthusiasts were entertained. The tables were decorated with Iceland poppies of pastel shades. Mr. Jackson, on behalf of the Hawera visitors, thanked Mrs. Good and the members of the Okaiawa Tennis Club for the afternoon’s enjoyment and called for cheers for the hostess. Among those present were Mesdames Evetts and Parker, Misses Searle, Leggett, Brown, England, Morrissey, Prince, R. Beauchamp, R. Evetts, W. Webster, E. Ward, B. Oldfield, R. Baker, D. Good, Delia Good, E. Williams and R. Wililams. Mr. C. W. G. Good, A.R.A.N.Z., son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Good, Okaiawa, and of the staff of Walkley, Cameron and Lawrence, Hawera, has. received telegraphic advice that he has passed in the final examination of the Australasian Institute of Secretaries.

Mr. and Mrs. Barclay sen. have returned from a visit to Manutahi,