BOY SCOUTS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18417, 25 June 1925, Page 7

BOY SCOUTS.

ST. MATTHEW'S TROOP COMMITTEE. At the annual meeting of the Troop Committee of tho St. Matthew's (Lady Liverpool's Own) Troop of Boy Scouts, the vicar, the Rev. Canon S. Hamilton, presided over a fnir attendance of parents and friends. The District Commissioner, Major R. F. "W. Ashworth, attended.

The secretary (Mr C. H. Clibborn) read tho annual report which stated that the committee had lost, by removal and resignation, two keen workers in Mesdames "Whitehead and Dangerficld. An offer of the services of a Scoutmaster had to bo declined on the ground of age and distance of residence from the parish. The work of the Troop had been well carried on, under great disadvantage, by Assistant-Scoutmaster "Walter Olliver, to whom the thanks of the committee were due for his self-sacrificing work and zeal. A week's intensive training 'was conducted by the Assistant-Scoutmaster during the school term holidays in May, 1924. Mr Stanton, a member of the committee, had given some of 'the boys elementary instruction in wireless. The committee would like to develop further this phase of Scout activity—assistance given to the Scoutmaster by members of the committee and others by instructing tho boys in special subjects. The lack of continuity in training and of reexamination for badges discounted the value of Scout training, dnd the committee was of opinion that Headquarters should adopt a rule providing for compulsory re-examination fo_ entitle Scouts to continue holding proficiency badges. At the Scout demonstration on the Show Grounds last November members of the Troop gave a display of first-aid and ambulance work under the supervision of the Troop's honorary medical officer, Dr. T. Beveridge Davis, to whom tho thanks of the committee were due; aiM also 1o Mrs Zohrab, for her assistance in training the boys. _ Camps were held, one on the Waimakariri Reserve, Harewood road, and the other at the Gilwell camp site, "Sandwell." North New Brighton. Under the heading "Community Service," the report stated that during the year members of the Troop gave service at the Karitane Hospital, tho Pilgrims' Association's reunion, and at the parochial sale of work and copper-trail. Members of the Troop also assisted to prepare the Gilwell camp at "Sandwell," and gave their services as orderlies and messengers, one enthusiastic member, Patrol-Leader Zohrab, giving his services for the whole period, and gaining much knowledge thereby. Tho bal-ance-sheet showed a balance to credit of £2 12s 3d. Acknowledgment was made of the interest shown in the Troop by the Chief Commissioner (Brigadier-General A. \V. Andrew), and of tho courtesy of the Headquarter's secretary, MajoT W. E. S. Furby. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Tho following committee was elected:— Messrs E. Wilson and K. I. Burn, representing the vestry; Messrs Geo. Sey and W. Stanton, and Mesdames Mollison and Zohrab, representing the parents. The committee was given power to add to their number up to a total of ten. Mr C. H. Clibborn was reelected secretary, and was appointed representative of the committee on the Local Association. Dr. T. Beveridge Davis was r'o-elected honorary medical ofiicer to the Troop. Votes of thanks were accorded to the committee, to the Assistant-Scoutmaster, and to Dr. Davis. Tentative arrangements were made for representatives of tho Troop to attend the Dominion rally to be held in connexion with the Dunedin Exhibition. The 'District Commissioner (Major Ashworth) addressed the meeting on the new constitution of tho Local Association, and on matters of general interest concerning the movement.