SCOUTS AND PUBLIC SERVICE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18236, 21 November 1924, Page 12

SCOUTS AND PUBLIC SERVICE.

CARE OF RESERVES AND MEMORIALS.

An important extension nf the aetivi- ! ties of the Boy Scouts was decided upon. at ];:ji night's meeting of the Chrisbclmrcli Boy Scouts' Local Association S3 the outoome of the following letter from Mr G. L. Donaldson, secretary of the Christchurch Beautifying Association: — '•At a meeting of the executive of the Beautifying Association the question of utilising the services of the Boy ficcuts for the protection of the city's beauty soots uas discussed at some lengih. The. hope expressed that you would be able to interest the boys on the mutter, and we respectfully | suggest that the Boy Scouts should bs ;:sked to assist in protecting public proivjrty. On numerous occasions mischievous peopla have been known to pull up flowering plants and shrubs, and a word from the- boys to the effect that these people were 'not playing the game' would no doubt have the desired effect. Further, we have no doubt that pints could be allotted to the boys in different districts, of which they could take entire charge. Of course, the Association would put these plots in order in the first place and give the necessary instructions." The Commissioner (Mr G. Lancaster) snid that he had discussed the matter with members of the Beautifying Asso-» ciation and had told them that the boys could net be asked to act as police. They had said that they did not want that, but suggested that if :■■ Scout saw anyone interfering with flowers in a public reserve he could ask the person if he would nob mind riot doing that seeing that the. flowers were public property-. As to the other purpose—the care of flower pots —he thought there might be or patrols <>t scouts, in different districts who would l>e anxious to take charge of such plots. They would get expert advice from gardeners. Mr Young, curator of the Botanical Gardens, had offered to assist in this matter. He did not think that any Scout should be ''pushed into" this work, but he certainly thought that they should be invited to take it up.

District Rorcrmaster TV. R. Tooth spoke in support of the suggestions, and added {hat Scouts might be risked' also to keep an eye on public statues and the Bridge of Remembrance to protect thein from vandals. Some of the alcoves on the Bridge of Remembrance offered temptations to the sneaking idler to scratch his initials on them. Scouts would! be doing a .service to the departed hoys by preventing such vandalism. He moved that the beautifying Association's suggestions should be given effect to.

Scoutmaster A. It. Williams seconded and the motion was agreed to unanimously. The secretary was instructed to draw tip a circular to all Scoutmasters asking them to place the suggestions defore the members of their troops. .-