SCOUTERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19623, 18 October 1933, Page 5

SCOUTERS

SOUTH CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the South Canterbury Scoutmasters’ Association was held on Monday. The Dominion representative, Mr Innes Jones, wel corned the delegates from committees and stated that an increased membership would foster Scouting in South Canterbury. Annual Report. During the past 12 months the various troops and packs in the district had been active and functioning well, states the annual report of the South Canterbury Scouters' Association. The numbers of the different units had been maintained, census returns as at September 15 showing the strength of the following groups as under'—Waimate 73, Highfield 63, Geraldine 43, Pareora 40, St. Mary's 23, Endeavour (Sea Scouts) 46, Northdown Te Rangi 18, St. Peter’s 13. Mr A. N. Oakey resigned from the Commissionership of the District. Scoutmaster Robb had taken over the Sea Scouts owing to the resignation of Scouter Brown. A.S.M. Morgan (Endeavour), A.C.M. Mayo (Highfield) and S.M. Turner (Geraldine) , had also resigned from the movement. The following appointments of Soouters had been made: — A.S.M. Lennon (St. Mary’s); S.M. Thorp (Geraldine), C.M. Sands (Pareora), A.S.M. Freeman (Highfield). The Association commenced the year with a credit balance of £3/7/5 and cash in hand at present was 13/6. The Dominion Chief Commissioner, Dr. P. Clennell Fenwick, and the Genera] Secretary for the Dominion Headquarters, Major W. E. S. Furby, paid a visit to Timaru early in the year and inspected the local Troops. The Williams Memorial Shield Competitions held In April resulted as follows: Highfield, 679 points, 1; St. Mary’s, 672 points, 2; Geraldine, 654 points, 3; Northdown Te Rangi, 646 points, 4; Pareora, 552 points, 5; St. Peter's, 296 points, 6. The last two Troops did not compete in all sections. Some of the various community "good turns" undertaken by the local Troops had been:—Two charity football processions, the Mayor’s special appeal clothes drive, West End gala bottle drive, S.C.R.S.A. children’s Christmas dinner and queen carnival functions. Several units had participated in Troop good turns. Long service medr.ls had been awarded to Scouters Cook and Keen and suitable letters of recommendation received by them. Under the conditions of regulations local Troops were again put through the course of instruction by the St. John Ambulance Brigade and the Superintendent, Mr W. Smith, expressed his pelasure at the high standard of efficiency shown at the examination. Firemen’s badge instructions had been arranged for next winter and signalling and knotting Instruction would be available shortly. It was hoped to start a troop in Temuka shortly. At the request of the Christchurch Executive the district had arranged to undertake the pioneering work at the rally to be held at English Park, Christchurch, on November 11. The Geraldine troop was erecting a signalling tower and the local troops were building a double trestle bridge, 40 feet long, which would contain approximately 1500 feet of manuka. The number of committee members, instructors and examiners was over 140, and to these the Scouters' Association tendered its gratitude. The St. John Ambulance Brigade and Toe H had at all times assisted in many ways. For the supply of manuka for pioneering work, M Hall, of Kakahu, has been a good friend and great help to the Scouts. The Scouters of the various groups, in thanking all those who had interested themselves in the movement, realised that without the.r co-operation and assistance, their efforts in the training of young citisens would be greatly handicapped and visits to any Troop deh, where the Scouts might be seen at work and play, were always appreciated. The annual report and balance sheet were adopted, and in the general discussion many points relative to the work of the movement were finalised. In the absence of the Commissioner the District Scoutmaster was appointed chairman of the Association and E. Manthorp as secretary. It was decided to appoint a badge secretary to assist in the general duties.