SCOUTING AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 16, 26 August 1946, Page 5

SCOUTING AFFAIRS

PROGRESS IN BAY OF PLENTY

COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S REVIEW

In his annual report to the first meeting of the Bay ef Plenty Scout County Council held at Tauranga last Saturday evening, County Commissioner C. Kingsley-Smith stated as under:—

We are embarking on our first full year of peace. At least that is the general hope of the world today. I welcome you' all therefore in the spirit of renewed hope, and I appeal to you as delegates in a movement pledged to brotherhood, that you accept responsibilities in the training of youth in a more deeply sober and conscientious sense. Perhaps never before was there such a crying need for the doctrine of Scouting in the world. This is our privilege, this is our opportunity. Scout Population: The annual census this year showed that we had gained some 74 scout members, bringing our total scout population up to 544, and our non-warranted workers up to 191 (an increase of 26). In reviewing the position, whilst we may have every reason to congratulate ourselves, it is more than of passing interest to note the general dropping away in the towns and the building up of the movement in the country centres. Tauranga maintains its approximate strength, while at Waihi we find that a new Red Shield group has started up. Commissioners and delegates need not be reminded of the urgent need for stimulating Scouting wherever possible, but in doing so we also know the great necessity of discovering the right kind of Scouter before launching new troops. The absence of such men at the present time seems to be our greatest problem. Annual Rally: This event was shouldered by Tauranga last year with singular credit to all concerned. Once again I desire to thank Commissioner Roberts, Rover Scouter Cliff Cavill, S.M. Ward Aden and their splendid team of workers for their magnificent work in this respect. The outstanding feature of the Rally was the prominence gained by comparatively new troops. I refer particularly to Thornton and desire to congratulate S.M. Scott on the singular success of his troop. Annual District Camp; This event was held at Lake Rotoma, with Commissioner C. Lofley as Commandant and S.M. Howell as his lieutenant. The camp attracted 87 boys from almost every troop in the Bay and a really excellent event it proved. We were honoured by an unusually large number of visitors from Headquarters including ‘Nuska’ Rover Commissioner, Sea Scout Commissioner Walker from Gisborne and the Chief himself. All District Commissioners from the Bay managed to make for part of the camp at least and sampled its fine spirit and its attractions.

Sandford Ticket Camp: This camp took place last September and drew some 29 boys from all troops. The camp was a stimulous to Scouting generally and again I have to thank Rover Scouter Cliff Cavill, S.M. Ward Allen, S.M. Monk and those other helpers who made the camp possible. As a result some 15 boys passed the necessary tests and obtained the coveted ‘ticket.’

District Activities: Over the whole teritory there has been the usual fluctuations. At Opotiki, No. 11 troop (country troop) was dissolved. The appointment of S.M. Jones and the establishmentof a Red Shield Group in that town seems to have marked the turning point of Scouting. There are now two packs and a thriving troop in Opotiki. Waiotahi has continued to progress under Commissioner Lofley’s sound guidance. At Waiohou we have possibly the finest example of a full. Maori troop to be found anywhere else in New Zealand. We are proud of S.M. Judd’s very fine work in this respect. At Edgecumbe S.M. Rogers fosters a thriving troop and Cub Pack, while at Aw'akeri S.M. Howell continues his good work with a progresive Country Troop. In Whaka-' tane we have the Citizens Troop and the Sea Scouts, but owing to the almost complete lack of Scouters the double burden falls heavily upon Commissioner Mathews. Prospects however are brightening with the return of men from overseas. It is interesting to note that a recent visit by ‘Nuska’ has resulted in the formation of the nucleus of the first Rover Crew in the Eastern Bay. Two Cub Packs under Akelas Dean and Zinsli are also maintaining a good stand. At Thornton we have a particularly live troop under S.M. Scott who is most ably supported ? •

by his committee. In Tauranga we : find that the Sea Scouts ’ remain strongly entrenched with Skip.' Charlie Murdoch in charge of the Southern Cross Unit, and Skip. Higgins at the Mount. The Mount Cub Pack owes its being mainly to the great work of that indefatiguable Scouter Stan Miller. The Tauranga No. 1 Troop under S.M. Ward Allen: makes steady progress, while Oropi with S.M. Monk at the helm is like-, wise soundly administered. At Gate Pa another keen Scouter carries ph, with enthusiasm, while Bethlehem has owed much to the good offices of S.M. Gordon Carmichael. The Tauranga Cub Pack continues to make good ground under C.M. Jean; Hatfull. Good news . comes from ■ - Katikati where a new Sea Scout . • - -.V unit has been formed. We welcome our new confederates in this centre and trust that we will.see more of them as time goes on. > At Waifai Rev. Gribble after giving marijr years yeoman service to St.? John's troop, has been transferred- to Matais mata. We wish him good Scouting in his new post;’ and note that he has handed over his increased.troop

to S.M. Fry, together withthfe, first Cub Pack to be formed in Waihi, Another troop to start up ds tjhe new Red Shield troop sponsored by the Salvation Army Authorities. This we understand is still a comparatively new venture but it bear: the stamp of sound potentialities and we extend to. it the hand of greeting. ■ ■ ■