SCOUTING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 142, 15 August 1941, Page 5

SCOUTING

THE WHAKATANE TROOP

ANNUAL MEETING HELD

The Parish Hall was well filled last Monday evening when the annual meeting of the local Scout Committee took place. It was pleasing to note the number of parents who attended and showed a definite interest in the training of the boys. The meeting coneluded shortly after 8 p.m. and the remainder of Ihe evening was devoted to displays by

the Scout troop and the Cub Pack under S.M. Thomas and Miss Blythe respectively., A light supper catercd by the ladies and several of the boys brought a very successful gathering to a close. Chairman's Report. In his report the chairman said-— Scout activities have been handicapped considerably b}'! the continual change-over in officers due largely to war conditions but the fact remains that we have been enabled to carry on and give the boys the trair.-

ing they required. In this we can count ourselves fortunate. With the enlistment of Scoutmaster Stan Miller, the town lost perhaps its greatest enthusiast. For years S.M. Miller had shouldered the running of the troop almost single-handed, and we pay him the tribute this evening, which he justly deserved. His Assistant R. McTavish also left the

strict, and the committee was for-

tunate in finding a worthy successor in the Rev. C. P. Lucas, who with Mr Vic Allan as his assistant, volun-

Leered to fill the gap. The work was carried on consistently and well, Mi Lucas fulfilling his first position as S.M. and drawing much therefrom. Upon his transfer, we were fortunate

n having the immediate services of Ills successor, Rev. G. V. Thomas,

\vho by virtue of his previous experience has been able to infuse a new spirit into the troop, and to introduce fresh methods and training which will make for lifting the standard generally. Rev Lucas was the guest of a special send-off from the Scouts and Cubs, and the recip-

Lent of a small presentation in iecognition of his splendid work. Wilh regard to the Cub pack, we have to thank Miss Blythe for her con-

Sistently good and onerous services. The numerical strength of tlie Pack speaks for itself.

On the executive side we have also had our difficulties. A valued secretary, Mr Wm. Crawford was lost when that officer enlisted for overseas service. Arrangements were made for a temporary tide-over, until we were fortunate in enlisting the services of an ex-scout in ll>e person of Mr W. Cpx, Avho has been responsible for bringing the books up-to-date. Members, of the committee have carried out the various duties assigned too them and although these demands have not been great their work has been appreciated.

New Subject Undertaken.

The Rev. Thomas, has since his arrival taken a firm grip of the training of the troop, and we have to thank him for the introduction of new subjects in the scout curriculum axemanship, camp cooking, mapping and a new stimulous to First Aid training and signalling. In respect of the St. John Ambulance training

[ would like to record the services of Mr Bishop, who has unfortunately had to relinquish his lectures owing to military services.

In conclusion I desire to thank the Scoutmaster and his assistant, the Cubmistress, and the secretary for their untiring efforts in the interests of the boys. I would like' to especially thank the members of the committee, and in particular, Mr and Mrs Rivett for their services, which were readily available at all times. I am sure that we can look forward with confidence to the forthcoming year, when I feel that the boys will have a taste' of strict training and strong leadership. This will give added strength to the movement and will enable it to expand and fulfil the very vital work ol" turning out strong, clean-minded and progressive citizens of the future.

Election of Officers

The balance sheet which showed n credit of 7s 7d on the year's work Ing.

The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron: Mr B. S. Barry; Vice-presidents - .: Messrs J. White, J. Dockrav, R. Seebeck; President: C. Kingslcv. Smith; Committee: Mestlames J. R. Rivett, J. White, H. Taram, S. Miller and Messrs J. D.

(Continued in next column)

gins, I. Suckling. More Fire Alarms. The Whakatane Fire Board has decided to instal a further six fire nlarm boxes in the town and workmen will be engaged in Greeting these shortly. Ohope BathsMr F. Maliy Snr. wrote to Monday's meeting of the Borough Council soliciting a donation towards the Learn-to-Swim Pool being built ai Ohope. His Worship "'the -Mayor pointed out that-probably all members' had given personal donations to the project which was now under the jurisdiction of the Ohope Domain Board which would in all likelihood shortly apply for a grant. He felt that the matter of a donation was out of the province of the Borough Council and members supported his view. Order Disobeyed. At Tuesday's sitting of the Magistrate's Court Raymond Douglas Flint appeared charged with disobedience of a maintenance order, the arrears being £20 10s. The defendant applied for a variation of the order and gave evidence on his own behalf. The magistrate stated that no evidence had been provided to Justify a variation and sentenced the defendant to 20 days' imprisonment, warrant to be suspended so long as he paid 15s per week oIY

Mum's the Word

A great deal of amusement was caused in town yesterday when members of the Women's War Ser-* vice Auxiliary assaulted the Strand and set up a barrage on would-bsj... non-combatants with Mystery Parcels. Mercers were delighted to re-* ceive an order on other mercers for a coat hanger, grocers were exalte*! to find that they could claim a penny bar of chocolate from their opposition, while the tobacconists! went in gurdles of gleo when their

shillings worth entitled them to a box of matches. But our editor claims that a man's best friend "v 3 his "MUM*