BOY SCOUTS

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 117, 12 May 1932, Page 7

BOY SCOUTS

Citizens’ Committee ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TROOP POSITION PLEASING The annual meeting of citizens interested in the Waipukurau troop of Boy Scouts was held last night, the Mayor (Mr. R. McLean) who had been acting chairman of the committee in view of the ill-health of the chairman, Rev. Canon E. D. Rice, for the greater part of the year, presided over a representative attendance.

Annual Report

The hon. secretary (Rev. A. C. McLean) presented the following comprehensive survey of the committee’s work and the troop’s success:—

“The past year’ has been one of peculiar difficulty for the Scout movement in the town. Right at the beginning of the year’s work we lost the services of our scoutmaster, Captain Charles Gray, who was forced by ill-health to relinquish his position. During the, time that he had charge of the troop he brought it to a fine degree of efficiency and it was a matter of keen regret to the committee that he could not continue the work. A small presentation was made to him on behalf of the scouts, their parents, and the committee as a mark of appreciation of what he had done for the Scout movement here. We were very fortunate in securing the services of Mr. G. T. Clarke to carry on the work to which Captain Gray had given himself so whole-heartedly but, after about three months association with the troop, Mr. Clarke died suddenly and we were once more without a Scoutmaster. During his all too brief connection with the troop, Mr. Clarke gave splendid service, especially commending himself to the boys in the camp held at Mount Herbert during the Christmas holidays. After some months without

a scoutmaster the committee were able to persuade Mr. W. Boo] to take over the work and the work is now proceeding smoothly and efficiently once more. During the two periods when we had no scoutmaster the troop was held together by the loyal efforts of the two assistant-scout-masters, Messrs. C. F. Haswell and A. B. Hastie, to whom the thanks of the committee are. specially due. Had it not been for these two officers the movement could not have continued.

“Despite the difficulty under which the. troop has laboured with the change of scoutmasters, good work has been done throughout the year and the scouts, in addition to their special training in scoutcraft, have been able to give service in various way to the. general public. Special mention was made by the committee in charge of the Empire Shopping Week, held in Waipukurau last November, of the assistance given them by members of the Scout troop. While they were in camp at Christmas time the Scouts also gave their services freely to all campers and picnic parties, supplying them with hot water, offering the use of their tents for dressing-rooms, and in other ways doing what they could to help such parties, services that were much appreciated by those to whom they were given.

Much help has been given to the troop by various people who have shown their interest in the work being done, and have helped in different ways to assist the officers in training the boys. Special thanks are due to Messrs. ,E. Malkin and L. Isaacs, who during the year have supplemented the. instruction given by the officers of the troop. Mention should also be made of the good work done by the ladies’ committee in looking after the interests of the boys.

“Early in last year Mr. and Mrs

AV. W. Jamieson found that they could not continue their work with the cub-pack. Great difficulty was experienced in getting anyone to take over the work, but recently the committee was able to secure the services of Miss L. Lovell-Smith, who has had previous experience in this work, to take over the pack and it has now been resuscitated and will, we hope, soon be at full strength. “In closing, we should like to thank all those who have, during the past year, helped in any way to support the committee in its work of maintaining the efficiency of the movement here and we hope that the interest shown and the help given in the. past will be continued during this new year upon which we are entering.’’

Matters Financial

The annual financial statement was

submitted by the treasurer (Mr. AV. W. Jamieson), this showing that the receipts had been an amount of £3 5s lid brought forward from the previous year, and expenditure 6/-, leaving a credit of £2 19s lid. The statement was approved.

The Wolf Cub Pack

Reporting on the progress made with the Wolf Cub Pack Miss L. Al. Lovell-Smith, cub-mistress, stated that this branch of the Scout movement had been restarted on April 8, with a roll call of 14, but since had averaged 18. The pack had made good progress and nine of the number had been duly invested. Various requirements in the matter of equip-

ment were enumerated. It was decided that certificates and badges for the Cubs be provided by the committee, the amount already contributed towards the later purpose to be credited to the general purposes fund of the boys, Air. F. V. Ward being the mover and Mr. Jamieson seconder. It was resolved that books referred to by the cub-mistress, be purchased from the boys’ fund, and the matter of scarves was referred to the ladies’ committee.

Scoutmaster’s Report

Scoutmaster AV. 800 l reported that the membership had increased, the roll being 44, and good progress had been made by the. lads. Two patrols were in operation. He proposed to hold a church parade once monthly, the boys breaking off to their respective churches. The parade held on Anzac Day had been very successful. Tenderfoot badges (two dozen), service stars (four dozen) and pathfinder badges (one dozen) were required, also a troop flag. He paid a tribute to the assistance rendered by Assistant Scoutmasters C. Haswell and A. Hastie.

Mr. Brathwaite reported in favourable terms on a visit paid to the troop in company with Air. AVard. On his motion the purchase of badges, as desired by the Scoutmaster, was agreed upon, on a 50 per cent, subsidy basis. Mr. F. V. Ward supported the remarks of Mr. Brathwaite, and spoke of the enthusiasm displayed.

Election Of Officers

Officers were elected as follow: — Chairman: Air. J. L. Brathwaite; Hon. Secretary: Rev. A. C. McLean; Treasurer: Mr. AV. W. Jamieson; Hon. Auditor: Air. P. R. Smyrk; committee: Mesdames Haswell, McLean, Gibson; Rev. Canon E. D. Rice; Messrs. R. AlcLean, F. V. Ward, A. C. Holms, Hastie and A. C. Rowe. Regret was expressed by the chairman as to the resignation of the Rev. Canon E. D. Rice, who for some years past had occupied the position with success.

Misses C. Fleming and L. Haswell, were recommended for appointment to the posts of assistant cub-mis-tresses on the motion of the Rev. Air. AlcLean, seconded by Air. Hastie.

Scouts Demonstration

A letter was received from Commissioner Cooksey offering to attend a demonstration of the troop at AVaipukurau on the 2 oth inst., and the offer was accepted.

The programme for the occasion was left in the hands of the Scoutmaster and the chairman, the supper details to be attended to by the ladies’ committee.

The Commissioner will be the guest of the Rev. Air. AlcLean during his stay.

The function is to take place in St. Mary’s Hall, commencing at 7.30 p.m. with a cubs’ demonstration. Parents and others interested will be made welcome.