OTAKI SCOUT ASSOCIATION

Chronicle (Levin), 20 June 1947, Page 2

OTAKI SCOUT ASSOCIATION

MEMBERS HOLD THEIR ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Otaki Boy Scout Association was held this week. Mr. F. W- G. Rule occupied the chair and there were a}so present: Mesdames Henwood and Meagher, and Messrs. Hannah, Moss, Renner, R. Bills and H. Cole. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames Rule, Moffatt, Sy'nnott, Allan, Renner and Nicolson, and Messrs. Edhouse, Nicolson, Kelly and Stephenson. Past Year's Work The annual report reviewed the past year's work (inter alia) as follows: "Committee meetings have been held regularly and there has been a good attendance of members throughout the year. Commencing i'n July, 1946, arrangements were made for another exhibition and show to be held i'n September of that year. The date was later changed to Oetober 29. From July until Oetober extensive work was done in arranging the exhibition. Committee members worked hard and there were also many others who worked willingly to make the show the success it proved to be. I would like to place on record my thanks to Mrs. Henwood who did the bulk of the secretarial work in con'nection with the show and w.ho played such a |;reat part in obtaining school entries and the wonderful entries from the Sanatorium. The show was a great success, the takings amounting to £55 17s lld. When all expenses had been paid out a sum of £32 2s 4d was banked to the credit of the scout funds. Plans are underway for another show, probably on Oetober 18 of this year. • "During the year we were trying to obtain a section in Rangatira Street, but the project was abandoned. It was also thought during the year that it might be possible to obtain a portion of the market gardeners' section at Otaki Railway upon which to erect a hut, but on application to that association it was found that we would be unable to lease a portion of this section. Then there is the section in Waerenga Road valued at £100. This matter was left in the hands of the association's solicitor. Fortunately, we still rent the Maori schoolroom, and we have been fortu'nate in having this room for the last 18 months as a headquarters, even though it is fairly inadequate. As a start towards • a building car .cases have been purchased, and these are to be erected on private properties. The boys are to erect the dens themselves and they will be able to store their equipment, etc., in them. "In September of last year Mr. Rountree resigned his position as scoutmaster and we regretted losing him very much. Mr. Moss was asked to carry on with the scouts and did so until in February, 1947, Mr. Renner came to Otaki. On being asked he became scoutmaster. Under the leadership of Mr. Renner the troop has spent a very happy and busy few months and several enjoyable outings have been held. The roll has now a total number of 24. Mrs. Renner kindly consented to help Mrs. Henwood with the cubs, who have been working hard and have attained a good degree of efficiency. Mrs. Henwood is an interested and energetic cubmaster. •

"A tea stall was held at the flower show and thanks to the ladies who ran this £3 7s 6d was banked. Card evenings have been held regularly throughout the year, first under the leadership of Mr. Berry and Mrs. Synnott, and latterly under the leadership of Mrs. Synnott herself. I desire to thank all the people who have kindly lent their homes for these evenings and especially Mrs. Synnott, who has done so much to keep them going in order to obtain funds. Mrs. Henwood has also held evenings at the Sanatorium nurses' home, and thanks are placed on record for her help. "Mr. Berry, who had been nur chairman since June, resigned in Oetober owing to the fact that he was leaving the district. His resignation was received with regret. On December 4, our Counly Commissioner, Mr. Henderson, visited the troop and afterwards attended our committee meeting. -. He also brought Mr. Macall with him and a very enjoyable evening was spent at Mr. and Mrs. Rule's residence supper being served. On February 23, a bus load of scouts and cubs went to Wellington to parade and it is reported they were a credit to Otaki. In April scouts paraded at the Anzac Parade." General Business The report was adopted. Mr Bills commended the committee on the splendid year's work, and saidit reflected great credit on the members. Mr. Moss commented that all the money in hand had been raised

since the war ,by hard work. Ho congratulated the secretary on her report. Mr. Hannah added his congratulations also. Mr. Rule acknowledged the remarks, but expressed disappointment that more parents had not attended the meeting. The election of officers resulted as follows: — Patrop: Mr. L. G. Lowry; president: Mr. C. F. Atmore; vicepresidents: Mesdames C. V. Swabev and T. Synnott, and Mr. Kelly: chairman: Mr. E. W. C. Rule; vicechairman: Mr. Hannah; treasurer: Mr. H. B. Edhouse; auditor: Mr. W. Morton; committee. Mesdames Meagher, Rule, Allan, Moffatt, Housiaux, Boggs- and' E. Smith, and Messrs. Stephenson, R. Bills, Moss and H. Cole: It was decided to write to Mrs. Synnott expressing appreciation of her very fine work during her long connection with the movement. The chairman and Mr. Bills paid tribute to the work of Mr. Renner since taking over the scouts, and to the enthusiasm which he had aroused among the boys. A motion was passed that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr. and Mrs. H. Moffatt and family for carting and storing the timber for' the huts, and for --assistance given in other ways. The chairman then presented Mrs. Henwood with her cubmaster's warrant. , He congratulated her and expressed the hope that now she had received it she would do even more work. After the business supper was dispensed.