LEVIN BOY SCOUTS

Chronicle (Levin), 24 August 1946, Page 8

LEVIN BOY SCOUTS

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION SUCCESSFUL YEAR'S WORK The annual meeting of the Levin Boy Scouts' Association was held in St. M&ry's Hall dn Thursday evening. There was a good attendance and Mr. A. R. Ransom presided. Reports made by the Cubmaster (Miss Beth Blenkhorn) , the Scoutmaster (Mr. W. Benfell) and the committee showed that the previous year's work had. been largely successful. The Cub's Activities The annual cub report stated that steady progress had been made during the year. There were two packs operating, with a total strength of 54 cubs and five cubmasters. Church parades had been held regularly every two months. In September the pack sports had been held, and in October the Levin cubs had attended the Labour Day

rally in Palmerston Nortn. mey came second in the total pofrits gained in the competitions there. On November 5 a bonfire, complete with Guy and crackers was burned. In the same month the cubs took part in a victory tree planting ceremony to commemorate world peace. In December the cubs provided the entertainment at a party given by the R.S.A. for children of returned servicemen. The annual cub camp was held between December 28 and January 2, on Mr. G. Blenkhorn's farm at Muhunoa. On visitors' day 65 parents and friends visited the camp. A founder's day service in February at the Levin Domain was attended by the cubs. On March 28 a successful concert was held, ■ £13 being raised. The tree planting ceremony by Sir Cyril Newall at Tatum Park in April was attended by the packs, and on Anzac Day they paraded, and took part in the ceremonies. The cub funds are at present £10 17s 5d. Thanks are due to Mrs. Savell and Mr. Collet (signalling) , Mr. Palmer (first aid) , Mesdames Ransom and Porter (examiners) and to the scoutmaster, committee and others who helped in any way during the year. Work of Scouts Mr. Benfell then presented the scoutmaster's report and said that they had had a very successful year. The roll had started with 51, but there were now 31 owing to a number leaving the district. Two scouts and 10 recruits had since joined and 15 proficiency badges had been won. Regular church parades, Founder's Day, and V.J. and Anzac services had all been well attended. Mr. Benfell then expressed thanks to various business men of the town who acted as examiners for certain badges, Mr. Gorrie for the use of his property at Muhunoa East for the annual camps, Mr. R. Baylis,Mr. A. C. Kennerley, Mr. Clapcott, Mr. Collet and Mr. H. Dunford for their valuable help. The work of Mr. David J. Stannard, who had attended for seven years without a break, was then placed 011 record. Committee's Report Mr. A. R. Ransom said in the committee's report that the weekly parades held in the drill hall had been excellently attended. The work of Mr. Benfell and the assistant scout master, Mr. Harrison, had set a high standard of training, for besides model making and badge work they had learnt first aid. The cubs, under the leadership of

Misses B. Blenkhorn, J. Ransom and McDonald, were doing ; good work and had taken a keen interest in lectures given by Mr. Palmer (first aid), Mr. Guinan (health), Mr. Collet (semaphore) and Mr. Harrison (morse). The annual camp at the New Year had helped the scouts greatly. Mr. Ransom then thanked the committee and all who had assisted the cause of scouting in the district. The balance sheet showed a credit of £13 2s 9d and a.building accourit, a .surplus of £28- 8s 2d. Offieers Elected The officers for the coming year were elected as follows: — Chairman: Rev. G. B.. Stote-Blandy; deputy-chairman: Mrs. Blenkhorn; secretary : Mr. A. C. Kennerley;

committee: Mesdames Hudson, Doyle, Ransom, Wenham, WilsonGrant and Messrs. Collet, Palmer, Allwood, Frederikson and Procter. Mr. Frederikson then moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Ransom who had.. retired from the chairmanship. The scoutmaster reminded parents of the jamboree to be held in France in 1947. Mr. Stote-Blandy then read a letter from scout headquarters detailing the arrangements which were being ' made for the jamboree. The site for the celebration would be 50 miles from Paris, by a great bend in the river Seine. The actual jamboree would be held on a plateau sloping down to the village of Moisson. The plateau had been partly cleared by the Germans during the war and used as a bombing range. An old castle on the other side of the river had been used by Rommel

for his headquarters. The letter also stated that the French Army and Government would be backing up the jamboree, which would be held during July and August in 1947. Items were given during the evening by the drum and fife band and the scouts and cubs.