SCOUTS AND CUBS

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 125, 21 May 1932, Page 3

SCOUTS AND CUBS

Successful Demonstration ADDRESS BY COMMISSIONER “REALISATION OF IDEALS” “Scouting has tremendous possibilities. The world to-day is faced with some difficult problems—problems which are beyond statesmen —but I believe that, if the principles of the Scout movement can be spread throughout the world, we will see the realisation of ideals which at present seem foolishly idealistic,” said the District Commissioner, Mr. J. R. H. Cooksey, of Rissington, in the course of an address at the combined Scout demonstration held in St. Mary’s Hall last evening under the auspices of the Waipukurau Troop.

The demonstration proved a complete success, affording striking and conclusive evidence of the valuable work being done by those interested in the movement in Waipukurau. In addition to a full muster of Scouts and Wolf Cubs there was a large attendance of parents and other visitors, all of whom were greatly impressed with the high standard of the demonstration.

Commissioner Cooksey inspected the Scouts, whose appearance, he declared, might well serve as an object lesson to other troops. The Wolf Cubs, under Miss M. Lovell-Smith, assisted by Misses L. Haswell and C. Fleming, then gave an interesting demonstration of their ‘jungle make-be-lieve,” the significance of which was explained by the Commissioner. The Scouts were responsible for the remainder of the programme, showing considerable skill in all departments of their work, including knot tying, signalling, bridge building, and first aid. A particularly enjoyable humorous item on novel lines, “Broadcasting,” was given by J. Spackman, S. Bryce, R. Renolds, and H. Green. The Scouts were under the scoutmaster, Mr. W. 8001, assisted by C. Haswell and A. Hastie. At the conclusion of the evening, a delicious supper, provided and served by the boys, assisted by the ladies of the committee, Mesdames M. E. Haswell (camp mother) R. McLean (Mayoress) and A. D. Gibson, was enjoyed.

Commissioner Cooksey, at the commencement of his address, expressed his pleasure at being present and assured the gathering of his keen interest in the Waipukurau troop. “The demonstration to-night has proved conclusively that Scouting is on a good foundation here,” he said, extending hearty congratulations to the committee and officers. In appearance the troop was the cleanest he had seen for a long time; the only thing was that “mother had probably washed their shirts.” He impressed on the boys that it was their duty to attend to their own uniforms.

Continuing, he congratulated the Wolf Cub Pack on lt« performance, remarking that it was run on the right lines and stressing the fact that it was from the cubs that the ranks of the Scouts would be filled. He also expressed the hope that a Rover crew, designed to give the elder Scouts, on the verge of manhood, “something to hang on to when going out to face the world” would be established in Waipukurau. The Rover movement, which aimed to carry the ideals of scouting into everyday life, was growing day by day and numbered some of the finest young men within its ranks. There was, however, an urgent need for leaders who were prepared to offer their services in a spirit of selfsacrifice.

The great possibilities of scouting were not so fully realised in New Zealand as in England, where it was easier to keep in touch with the movement in other countries. “I believe that the Scout movement will do far more toward ensuring world peace than oui' League of Nations oi’ our governments, because it is imbued with the spirit of peace,” said the speaker. “The League of Nations has the will for peace, but when it touches politics, the spirit of distrust enters. A Scout’s honour is to be trusted; the stumb-ling-block to peace is the different interpretation different countries place on the word ‘honour’; but a Scout’s ‘honour’ is always the same.” Regarding the movement in

Hawke’s Bay, the Commissioner said that it had now been placed on a businesslike basis. “It was at one time looked upon as a sort of charity organisation,” he said, “but we don’t want to have to go round with the hat —although we are always in need of funds and welcome willing contributions.”

Mr. Cooksey emphasised the value of the special training course for scoutmasters, and expressed the hope that a camp for that purpose would be held in Hawke’s Bay this year. In conclusion, he appealed to the mumbers of the committee to take an active interest in the work.

“Committee members are not figureheads,” he said. “They have undertaken duties, one of which is to visit the troop occasionally when it is at work. In this way they can give the scoutmaster and the scouts the encouragement which they deserve.” Following upon the supper adjournment the cubs and scouts pro-

vided several entertaining vocal items, an anti-depression chorus led by Commissioner Cooksey, who very successfully prompted the co-opera-tion of the large audience in spreading this communal cheer germ. The chairman expressed the thanks of the committee as to the stimulative influence shed by the guest of honour, and paid a warm tribute to the efforts of the Scoutmistress, Scoutmaster, Assistant-Scoutmasters, Troop Leaders, Cubs, Scouts, and the Camp Mother; also her associate members of the committee. With lusty cheers for the Commissioner, the gathering was brought to a close. Subsequently the Commissioner met members of the Citizens’ Committee, all being present, including the Mayor (Mr. R. McLean).