FUTURE CITIZENS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 180, 14 November 1941, Page 5

FUTURE CITIZENS

PROGRESS OF THE SCOUTS

LOCAL COMMITTEE MEETS

The progress of the local Scout and Cub Troops was reviewed at the first meeting of the committee since the recent annual meeting. Reports from both groups showed that there Avas a gratifying response to the recent appeal by the Dominion Commissioner, Mr Hector Christie, who visited the town and addressed busi- ■ nessmen and parents upon the movement generally. Scoutmaster Thomas reported that the various instructors were carrying out their work, and there were now classes of map-making, first aid and other subjects which came under the scouting curriculum. He complained however of a certain laxity on the part of some of the boys, who attended just when it suited them, and who also arrived too late to obtain, the benefit of the instruction given to the others. As a result they were behind their brotherscouts in many subjects and it made his task of giving uniform training extremely difficult. It was decided to circularise tlie parents of all scouts, asking for their co-operation in the matter of regular and punctual attendance. The question of 'leaving certificates' was left to the Scoutmaster to investigate and report back upon, and in answer to a complaint that certain boys in town who were not now in the troop were in the habit of still wearing the Scout badge was also l referred to the S.M. to go into. Camp at Tarawera An invitation to send a group ot boys to the Annual Camp, which this year would be held at Lake larawcra, was received from the District Commissioner at T'auranga. The committee decided unanimously to participate and to provide the transport and the accommodation. The camp dates were given as from January 10 to January 23, both days inclusive. It will be under the control of Commissioner Southern ot T' c Poi, Thames Valley, and the cost per scout will be £1 for the two weeks. The Scoutmaster indicated that from an unofficial count he had learnt that about a dozen boys would be prepared to make the trip, would get a more definite list latex A sub-committee comprising Messrs Rivett, Kingsley-Smith, the S( ; ou ' , master and the Secretary was set up to deal with all the arrangements.

Further Assistance Needed

Considerable discussion took place regarding the matter of the appointment of a junior officer who. would be prepared to< undertake the wor of controlling the boys-when the present Scoutmaster leaves in eighteen months time. The committee took a long-sighted view of this matter because of the growing shortage of suitable men. Splendid work has been done by Scoutmaster Thomas and his assistant Mr Vic Allen, it was realised that unless the committee had an eye to future instruction the present high standard was likely to fall. This matter will come regularly before the committee until finalised.

The secretary was instructed to purchase 12 Tenderpad badges, U stars and six 2nd class Scout Test Books.