SCOUT JAMBOREE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 33, 4 October 1946, Page 5

SCOUT JAMBOREE

PLANNING N.Z. CONTINGENT TEN FROM BAY OF PLENTY Whilst it appears to be impossible as yet to discover the number which will compose the New Zealand Contingent of Scouts to the World Jamboree in France in August next year, it has been possible to draw up tentative arrangements to cover the position as soon as the Government is prepared to make available the shipping accommodation figures and also the approximate cost per head. In Scouting circles the subject is all important and at the recent Dominion Commissioner’s conference the number likely to go from the Bay of Plenty was fixed at 10. This figure can be expanded or contracted in accordance with the available number which can be financed on the basis 0f.£200 per boy. Funds Needed Urgently In the Bay of Plenty, several nominations have already been received and the various Local Associations under their District Commissioners have been actively engaged in the subject for some, time. The matter is now dependent upon the raising of finance to enable eligible Scouts to join the official contingent and to have their names forwarded to Wellington. The districts as a whole ■are expected to rally to the cause of raising funds, by dint of concerts, dances, drives of various descriptions, and straightout donations. In this cause, where local boys will be literal ambassadors for their respective districts in the world Jamboree of Youth numbering 30,000 from' all nations, there should be little diffi•culty in persuading local bodies, sporting and social organisations to contribute.

Subsidy Possible Government subsidy is confidently expected, in the matter of cost, ■whilst the Governor-General has likewise pledged his interest. This will mean that the cost per boy will be heavily reduced, but in the meantime it is necessary to work on the figure of £2OO (N.Z. currency) per head and to at least aim at that target. It is expected too that the parents concerned will assist in meeting part of the cost, though this will be by no means compulosry, the movement desiring above all else that the selected boys, once having qualified should be given equal chance of making the trip irrespective of their .status or position. 1 Qualifications Boys eligible for the Jamboree, must be pattern Scouts, bearing a first class recommendations from their Scouters. They must be Sec-ond-class at least, and between the ages of 14g years and 16. They must be good physical specimens, and of bright intellect and address. They will be first considered by their Scouters, who will recommend them to their respective District Commissioners, who in turn will forward them on to the County Secretary for compilation of the County list. This will go forward, to Dominion Headquarters for final consideration and selection. In the latest communication from Headquarters it is requested that the names should be sent to Wellington by the end of November each accompanied by a £SO deposit. Senior and Rover Scouts The question of including senior and rover Scouts in the contingent is a pertinent one which has not been overlooked. It is hoped that as many of these who are eligible will likewise make the trip’and in the official contingent now fixed at 250, three Rovers or Scouters will be required to each 32 Scouts, which will mean approximately 25. Apart from that an auxiliary camp will be established near the Jamboree to accommodate Seniors, and the latest report from Headquarters indicates that there is a sound likelihood of including- a substantial number of Rovers in the contingent. All extra available space will be made over to them. In view of this it would seem that every encouragement should be given Rovers who desire to be included to indicate the position to their Crew Leaders. As Representative As Possible As the Jamboree aims primarily at healing the wounds of war,. and of living down the deep hatreds engendered thereby, it is planned to make it the finest rally of representative youth yet held. The Empire has been invited to send 10,000 boys, while America’s quota is little less. New Zealand has no fixed figure to meet, but on the hardest net basis, Hutt Valley plans to send 100, Canterbury 20, Auckland, Hawke’s Bay,

Wellington, Otago and Bay of Plenty 10 each, Southland 8, Manawatu and Wairarapa 8 each, Northland 4, Thames Valley, Rotorua, Marlborough, Nelson, North Otago Lone Scouts 2 each. Other figures are coming forward. It is hoped to send two or three boys from the Tauranga-Waihi districts, Whakatane-Te Puke, and Ope-tiki-East Cape. The matter is now in the hands of the districts concerned and although the identity of the successful representative Scouts is as yet unknown, it is felt that all units will combine in the truest Scouting spirit to raise the money required. Term of Absence It • is anticipated that the trip to Europe and back will occupy from three to four months. The ship should leave in June (late) and will call at various ports on the way. The Old Country will be visited and possibly the war ravaged countries— Germany, Holland and Belgium. The Education Department has undertaken to send a requisite number of qualified teachers in order that schooling may be carried out on ship-board. Although the cost cannot be definitely fixed as yet, and the final number in the contingent is not yet available, it is known that the Jamboree will take place in France next August, and that New Zealand has been invited to send representatives. Scout Headquarters is doing its best to arrive at some finality and Scouts throughout the Dominion are urged to once more BE PREPARED.