SCOUTING INTERESTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 15, 16 October 1945, Page 5

SCOUTING INTERESTS

BAY OF PLENTY CONFERENCE ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES J Forty delegates from fourteen of the. Bay of Plenty Scout Troops gathered in Whakatane last Saturday I evening for the annual district meeting which was presided over by the County Commissioner. The meeting represented the twenty-two Scout units in the Bay, embracing 500 scouts and 165 comm'ittee members and workers. In his annual review the Co limissioncr stated as under:— We are privileged at long last to meet in the atmosphere of world peace after nearly six years of war, and it is now the recognised duty of Scouting the world over, to take up its task with redoubled energy. The peace of the world for which mankind has hungered for so long depends greatly upon the successful activities of organisations such as our own. Already plans are in hand for Rallies and Jamborees in an effort to stamp out the fires of hatre 1 and'intolerance and to give way to the spirit of brotherhood and of harmony for which cur great movement stands. It is therefore encumbent upon us all to apply ourselves with redoubled energy to the task we have in hand so that we shall each in his or her own small way be a contributing factor towards the maintenance of God's peace upon earth. From our own point of view the year has been an eventful one full of interest and on the whole g-ood progress. New >troops have been formed whilst others have gone '9 into recces. Annual Rally This popular event was held at Whakatane, and extended over the weekend. It was unfortunate that Te Puke was unable, to shoulder the task but in accordance with the promise made at the last annual meeting, the Whakatane troops shouldered the job and carried it out well. With a view to brightening proceedings new tests were introduced w'ith great success, while the marking the outcome of intense study, will I hope be utilised with possible modifications at all future Rallies. The warmest congratulations go to Mr Naden Matthews. chairman of the committee, Mr Wm, Hurst > secretary, and all other officers and members of the committee. The main trophies wentto the Whakatane Citizens troop, and again our congratulations go to S.M. Tell.- Fergusson and S.M. Hughes. I would like again to personally thank those, troops, which cam* long distances to attend.

Scout Population Since the annual statistics were taken a new troop has been formed at Edgecumbe under Cadet Rogers of the Church Army and a new Cub Pack under Miss N. Ferguson. Both units are progressing well. In Wha- 1 katane itself k strongly-membered Sea Scout Crew hasy been formed under the control of Skipper J. Love, From Thornton also comes a request to form a troop under Mr Don Scott. The combined strength should build up the Scout total by some 80 new members. The new Sea Scout 'roop and Cub Pack at Mount Maunganui under Skippers Stan Miller and S. J. Higgins continue to make progress while the Cubs on Motiti ls_ land paid a complimentary visit to Tauranga late last year and d'e'.ighted, all who witnessed their Maori songs and waiatas. The. inauguration of this pack was carried out after a memorable trip to the is-' land by courtesy of Messrs Sam Carter and H. Thomas. Roto ma Camp Site During the year the acres of the sandspit at Lake Rotoma were. made, over to the Scouting Movement by special Act of Parliament. We are deeply grateful to Mr W. Sullivan MP. for his wonderful co-tjperation in this rcspect. The site has been made over to the Dominion Executive as. the Incorporated head of the Movement and will be administrated by a Trust set up loc.. ally the members of which have already been elected. At the first meeting of the Trust it was decided to set a target of £500 to be sub-i scribed from the whole district. A tentative levy was fixed on all troops. To date the Whakatane Citizens Committee has allocated £50 ? the Rally profit of £30 and the profit from the Oblwa Camp (£l3) has also been devoted to this fund

making nearly £100 already in hand. The question of development is a vital one and is exercising the mind of the committee It is hoped to be able to show a definite plan of layout on this ideal camp site in time for the annual camp. Conclusion With peace upon us the message of brotherhood which our movement | conveys is more vital than e ,- er if j future wars are. to be avoided. Scouting can and will play a vital part in the moulding of new and higher thought which is so urgently needed in the world today. Scouting has all the essentials of world harmony. Our stewardship is the task of serving mankind. Let lib do it willingly and without reserve.