SCOUTERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19933, 18 October 1934, Page 5

SCOUTERS

ANNUAL MEETING HELD ACTIVITIES REVIEWED The annual meeting of the South Canterbury Scouters’ Association was held on Tuesday evening. The chairman extended a welcome to the committee representatives and remarked that they were always welcome at the annual or monthly meetings. The secretary’s report and balancesheet were read and adopted. Each scouter read a report of his Group’s activities during the past twelve months. Much discussion arose as to the advisability of disbanding the Scouters’ Association, and the forming of a District Scout Committee, and the advantages to be derived from doing so. Later it was unanimously agreed that this be done and a district committee was formed. Scouters being members ex officio. Old Scouts are to be encouraged to take an interest in the work and representatives from each group committee are to be included. Secretary’s Report The following is the secretary’s report. During the year the total number of scouts and cubs in the district has slightly decreased, being 310 against 339 last year. A new cub pack known as the Ngaitahu pack has been formed and is well established. The Northdown Te Rangi Cub Pack recommenced its activities in May, and is also well established. The scouts had. assisted at the charity football, match and the Queen Carnival, and altogether had raised more than £65 for charity. November of last year saw a good representation of the district present at the Jubilee Rally held in Christchurch. The Timaru contingent built a trestle bridge and the Geraldine party built a signalling tower. Christmas camps were again held and thoroughly enjoyed. The Williams Shield competitions were allowed to lapse this year, and a Jamboral arranged instead. The weather caused the abandonment of this, out a camp-fire on the Higlifield Group’s section was held in the evening. This was an innovation and was greatly enjoyed by the 200 Scouts and Guides present. A Cubmasters Palaver was held at “Northdown” during Easter and was attended by C/M’s from Christchurch. Ashburton, Timaru and Geraldine. The Cub side of our activities has benefited greatly as a result of the instruction received. Examinations in Ambulance. Signalling and First Class subjects have been held during the year. A course of instruction for Patrol Leaders was held in the Highfield Den and "Rama” took them through various stages of Scout training. Rock Councils have also been held in the Highfield Den each Wednesday evening, when new games and activities and revision of Palaver subjects have been tried out under the direction of “Rama.”

In an effort to promote more cooperation between troops in the district it is expected that full advantage will be taken during the coming summer of group training in the various section of out-door programmes. Warrants presented this year are S/M’s R. Best, D. Taylor, C/M Miss E. Thomson. A/C/M’s Misses E. Marsden and G. Honeyman. Resignations have been S/M’s Keen, Evans, Robb. We wish to express our thanks to Mr H. A. Innes-Jones who has filled the position of Hon. Commissioner during the year, and who has taken great interest in the work of the district. Thanks are also due to the examiners and instructors whose good work assists the Scouters and their boys, and to the “Timaru Herald” for publication of the Scout columns each week. The balance-sheet showed that the Association had commenced the year with 13/4. and now had a credit balance of 6/4.