SCOUT NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 240, 11 October 1938, Page 3

SCOUT NEWS

Cross-country Run for Metropolitan Banner. —This event will be held on October 29, starting at 1.30 p.m. from outside the Technical Hostel. Six runners are allowed from each troop. Annual Football Competition for Woollams Cup.—This event will take place on Saturday, October 22, at 1.30 p.m., place to be arranged. No entries for boys under 9st 71b. Gonville Troop.—A very enjoyable parents’ evening was held by the Gonville troop o.n Tuesday, the 19th, quite a large number of adults attending. The programme commenced with a mass investiture conducted by District Commissioner Chappell, following which badges and service stars were presented. Mr. Chappell took this opportunity of presenting S.M. Baker with his Scoutmaster's warrant. A varied programme of Scout work was then carried out, this including signalling, bridge-building, ambulance and drill-squad displays. Supper was served at about 10 p.m. and this was followed by a campfire, the evening coming to a close about 11 p.m. Old Scouts’ Association Formed The movement to link past and present members of the Scouting movement by the formation of a

national Old Scouts’ Association received a decided impetus when His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Galway, attended a dinner at the Horticultural Hall this week. In addition to His Excellency, who was there as Chief Scout, there were about 150 Scout leaders, ex-Scouts and supporters of the movement present. The object of the gathering was to launch a national movement, linking together any old Scouts’ associations and similar bodies in existence already in the Dominion. His Excellency said the idea of making the movement a national one was excellent. During the 28 years of its existence in New Zealand, the Boy Scout movement had achieved a very satisfactory membership, but he would like to see it double or treble its present strength. The work done had been a power for real good in the community, and lads of an early age had been imbued with a sense of responsibility, nationhood and an importance of good citizenship.

“In 1940,” continued His Excellency, "we are going to have here in New Zealand a great Scout jamboree at which representative Scouts from a great many overseas countries will be present and will have an opportunity of forming their impressions of New Zealand, its people, and especially of its Scout organisation in this | country. It goes without saying that if the jamboree is going to be the

success we hope it will be, a great deal of extra assistance will have to ! be forthcoming, so with this immedi- . ate aim I appeal to all old Scouts to ; rally round the Old Scouts’ Associa- ' tion. Enthusiasm must be the key- : note of the movement. In some coun-1 tries on the continent, the Boy Scout * movement has been developed into a i really national movement, and a j movement which plays a real part in ; the life of the people. So in making a public appeal for the public support. for the movement in New Zealand I j make a special appeal to all Scouts, ; when they complete their term, to ; join the old Scout movement, with a firm resolve that they are going to do all in their power in Scout interests, and so to play their part as good citizens who have at heart the welfare of their country. “I am informed that there are approximately 150,000 old Scouts in the Dominion. This is a very large number. If all old Scouts got together, they would form a very powerful organisation to lend strong support to matters put forward by the Boy Scout Association and to co-operate with other organisations seeking to promote the health and welfare of the youth of the nation.”