GREAT SCOUT RALLY,

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16748, 1 June 1922, Page 5

GREAT SCOUT RALLY,

JAMBOREE” TO BE HELD, At the annual meeting of the Dominion Council of the Boy Scouts, Association yesterday, the Chief Commissioner (Captain D. C. W. Cossgrove) outlined the plan for a great Scout rally, or “ jamboree,” which it is hoped by the authorities to hold in Christchurch about the end of December. Captain Cossgrove said that the Scout movement had been in existence in New Zealand about fourteen years, and so far no effort had been made to hold a Dominion rally. Successful rallies had been held in other parts of the world, and there was no reason why New Zealand should be behind. There would certainly he difficulties in the project, but, as the main purpose of a gathering of the kind proposed was educational, some sacrifice was warranted. The fact of the boys getting together and becoming acquainted with eacli other would in itself do considerable good. There was a tendency for the Scoutmasters themselves to stagnate, and something like a revival was necessary. The “ jamboree ” would take the i form of a big camp ; there would be exhibitions of work, and the officers would have an opportunity of improving themselves. The principal difficulty to be overcome wits that of transport. Already he had approached the Tourist Department and had told them that he expected to have 5000 boys in camp, and that he was endeavouring to arrange for the transport of these. He j had made inquiries as to what the prod- j able cost per head would be. and if they j were fortunate it should work out at i about 30s. Some troops were even con- j sidering the question of “ trekking ’ i from Nelson. Blenheim, Kaikoura and ; Timaru to Christchurch. If difficulties j arose, it might be possible for distant troops to raise sufficient money to pay . the full excursion fares, and out of any ! profits which might result from the j rally a refund could he made. Anyhow, the success of the whole thing do- ! pended upon the degree of enthusiasm with which it was taken up by the ! people concerned. As no Territorial camps would be held this year, there should be no difficulty in obtaining sufficient from the Defence Department to accommodate the boys, although as yet the Department had proposed a price for hire which was almost as great as the value of the tents. Jt j was not desired to make a profit out of the rally. They only wished to pay expenses. Mr H. H. Smith said that he thought it was absurd to expect young boys to march all the way from Nelson. It would be a ten days’ journey, and they would probably have no energy left by the time they got to Christchurch. Rev T. Fielden-Taylor said that there were certainly difficulties, but they were not insuperable. Each province should be able to raise sufficient money to pay its own way. There were no doubt that Christchurch’ was the ideal place for { this first “jamboree.” Air L. M. Isitt. AI P., said that they must not expect anything great in the direction of railway concession, because each Department had to pay its way. But it might be possible to make representations to the Prime Minister to grant such rates to the Defence and Tourist Departments as would enable them to make substantial concessions. Brigadier General Andrew said that U the rally was to he a success they would need to have something to show the people. As a suggestion, he would say that a display of handiwork would be very useful in that direction, and would tend to interest the public. Another speaker suggested that one of the Dominion warships could be used to transport Scouts from Wellington to Lyttelton. Tlie conference approved of the proproposal, and decided to request the executive to arrange details.