SCOUTING INTERESTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 223, 9 October 1940, Page 8

SCOUTING INTERESTS

BAY OF PLENTY ASSOCIATION: COMMISSIONER'S REVIEW In liis annual report on Scouting activities throughout the Bay of Plenty Commissioner F. N. Christian gave a comprehensive and able review of the position as it obtained at the present time. It was;obvious that the movement had suffered as a result of the war which had called many instructors and others interested to the colours, but it was equally evident that delegates were all agreed to carry on in spite of the difficulties and to give the boys as far. as possible the same complete programme of training as they have received in the past. . "Scouting, naturally, lias been affected by the Avar," said Commissioner Christian. "After the most elaborate preparations had been made, what would have been New Zealand's first Jamboree, had to be abandoned and considerable money sacrificed. We share with the Scouts, their disappointment. Distinct Losses. Many scouters have joined the colours and from lieadquarter's officials to the last recruit there has been adjustment. In this district we first of all; lost Frank Mead, the Scoutmaster at Taneatua; unfortunately the troop has not been able to carry on without him. A very serions loss was sustained in the enlistment of Mr Stan Miller, the District Scoutmaster. The: Whalcatane portion of this officer's work is being ably taken care of by the Misses Blythe and Norris, the Rev. C. P. Lucas and Mr V. Alen, but Paroa is not ?o fortunate; volunteers for this point would be most comeOpotiki has had-a change, Mr S. -If. Williams having taken charge. Mr D. J. Beattie, the chairman, we welcome to our district. He is not a new recruit to Scouting, having been one of the first Scoutmasters in the Dominion. His counsel and help will be sought after; and his presence in the district is most helpful and welcome. Te Puke lost an able leader in the Reverend Bartlett, but Troup Leader R. Stepherd is tackling and doing the job, and fortunately he lias the backing" of ex-Scoutmaster Lay. _ Tauranga, too, has had a change in command. In August Mr Roy Ellery, after giving two years of splendid service, was compelled, for the good of the health of his famiiy, to take a position elsewhere. Very fortunately Mr P. W. Grinder, whose years of service as Scoutmaster arid Rover Leader have left their mark in the Hamilton area; has accepted the position as Scoutmaster of the Troop. Miss N. Bamberry is now ably assisted by Mr C. Murdoch and Mr N. Cannell, both of whom have had considerable Scouting experience, the fprmer having since specialised in Ambu-

lance work. Though a good deal of time has been given by Scouters and others in the attempt to form a Native Troup in the Tauranga area, so far, the work, for want of leadership, has not been established — there are, therefore, no new troops to report, but Mr Paul Nicholson has a very promising Cub Pack at Paengaroa. Members Increase. The census, despite the failure of the Taneatua Troiip to register, shows a marked increase, in the Bay there being now 359 in the l ranks, as well as 87 non-warranted workers. The annual rally was held at Tau ranga on the 11th of November. Commissioner C'ooksey, the Chief of Training, and Commissioner Southon attended and assisted in the judging. Tauranga Cubs retained the Bowyer Shield by a narrow margin, as did the Tauranga Scoutsj the Boyd Cup, whilst the Te Puke athletes' easily captured the Tiki Trophy. During the year an official visit has been paid to the district by the Chief Commissioner, Hector Christie, Esq., who hopes to include the Whakatane district on the next occasion. We have, also, been favoured with a week of most valuable assistance by the Dominion Chief of Training* Commissioner C'ooksey. The parades at Opotiki, Whakatane,. Te Puke and Tauranga were very Avell attended. The Wellington Trip. In view of the fact that the Jamboree could not be held, the Discontinued at foot of next column)

trict Scoutmaster organised a trip. , to Wellington arid a camp at Ngaiok.. Nearly 100 boys attended. The camp was controlled by five war— ranted officers. The boys made full use of the opportunity to visit the--Exhibition and other places of interest; and doubtless saw muchmore than would liave been possible had there been a Jamboree, where the control would, naturally,,., have been of a stricter order. We extend our thanks to the of-i - ~ fleers who took this responsibility;;: and we wish especially to mention the splendid contribution to the - boys' comfort, which was made by the Salvation Army officers in Wei-* - lington. ' The non-warranted section .of our movement in the Bay would be just-v ly disappointed if the splendid ser--vice of the officers was not mein tioned. To those ladies who, week in and week out, are oil • the job, we extend our most sincere thanlis and I know that they- • in turn feel a deep sense of apprec - iation for the support and assistance given by the committees and' non-warranted helpers. — Some of our work is spectacular,; much is extremely methodical and regular, though inconspicious, • but; I trust, that all work and every con - tribution made by the officers and : committee workers will be for the • benefit of our nation in one of the most critical periods of its history;