GENERAL INCREASE OF ALL SCOUTS IN BAY OF PLENTY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 27, 19 August 1949, Page 7

GENERAL INCREASE OF ALL SCOUTS IN BAY OF PLENTY

“While we still have to overcome the desperate Scouter shortage, we can regard with satisfaction an all round increase in scouts, sea scouts and cubs, and a greater and more consolidated strength throughout the county,” reported the Commissioner, Mr C. Kingsley-Smith, Wha. katane, to the annual meeting of the Bay of Plenty Scout County Council held at Tauranga. Increased capitation fees this year had assisted the limited county finances. This was not recognised as a vital section of the county’s activities, particularly where there had been no annual camp or tatum students to assist, but it was, he considered, a wise investment. An insufficiency of scouters had caused the abandonment of the camp planned' for the last week of the Christmas holidays. This was disappointing to many troops, but was unavoidable. Bay Of Plenty Divided The division of the Bay of Plenty into two areas—eastern and western—had been discussed recently, stated Mr Smith, adding that he understood that the distance to rallies was the. main reason for the scheme. It was, he asserted, a sound one in many respects, but he suggested that the remedy lay in the council’s own hands, without worrying about the setting up of new commissioners and county officials. If the county rally entailed too much travelling, he suggested that rallies be limited to Tauranga end Waihi, and Opotiki and Whakatane. This might be tried as an experiment next ye^r.

There wpre 32 delegates at the meeting, representing Waihi, Opotiki. Whakatane, Mount Maunganui, Pahoia, Katikati, Otumoetai and Tauranga.