ROVER CREW FORMED

Chronicle (Levin), 13 August 1949, Page 4

ROVER CREW FORMED

Levin Seout Group Reviews Year's Activities Reporting the formation of a rover group within the scout moVement in Levin at the annpal meeting of 'the Levin Scout Committee on Thursday nighi, the president. Mr. W. L. Travers, said that by a fortunate coincidence three young men with exceptional qualifications and long experience in scouting ha& corrie forward with the suggestion that the rover crew be formed. Needless to say the committee had willingly given i s sanction. '.'Fo] men with young families. and growmg businesses to give their . time and energy to scouting is a gr-ea tribute to the movement," he added. "To become a rover a scout must pass a most exacting test and the active association of men of this ca'ibre with the group cannot help but be an inspiration to all oubs and scouts." ■Continuing, Mr. Trp.vers .said b'c was- pleased to report that the past year had been one of exceptiona; progress for the- Levin Scout Group. The committee had assisted in this progress to the best of its ability, but those most responsible had been the leaders of the cubs and scouts an$ their assistants, coupled with the energetic guidance of the district -commissioner, Mr. V. E. Hudsoh, who was a tower of strength to the group and movemeno as a whole. The group had been- honoured by the selection of Scout Ian Weqham to represent the Manawat.u County at the jamboree at Melbourne, said Mr. Travers. He had proved a most worthy representative and had spared no pains to pass on the.benefits of the trip to his fellow scouts. By the formation of a senior scout troop, boys between the ages of 15 and 18 were now catered for. The president then detai'ed the progress to date in regard to the proposed new hall at Playford Park and the assistance given by ihe Levin Borough Council and Mr. A. Hannah in this connection. A permit for its erectiun was ceing lodged, he added. "In my opinion activity is the keynote of success in a scout group. The boys must be kept interested and the success of the past year is, to my mind, a great tribute to the leaders of the various groups, and to them the committee tenders its congratulations and thanks," said Mr. Travers. In conclusion he thanked the committee for its support and co-operation during the year.

Scout Group's Year. Scout Leader S. Small reported that ihe scout group had started off the year with a scout and guide social, which had proved very popular, and recently the Foxton scouts had combined with the Levin scouts and guides in the en~ tertainment of guides from Seatoun gt # pocipl, &ysnjpg„ ;Sqptenffi£ii the troop had assisted in the sale of health stamps, £57 worth being sold on a Saturday morning. In the same month the troop had visited Tatum Park. One afternoon had been spent assisting one of the boy's fathers in his market garden, work much enjoyed by the boys and appreciated by the owner. In December two Saturdays were spent in bottle drives. the proceeds going to swell the jamboree funds. Ian Wenham's selection to attend the jamboree had been well deserved. as he had ably led the troop and more recently the senior patrol. In turn the seniors had set a fine example to the younger boys. Some of the more recent activities -had been a Corso clothes drive, _ the scouts' and guides' swimming sports, an evening trip to Tatum Park and a parade at the Ohau River. At Easter the troop had camped for four days at Muhunoa East. During the year church parades had been he'd^.every other month in company with the guides, cubs and brownies. The roll at present stood at 20, with six in the senior patrol. Good Progress By Cubs. The cubs had made good progress, said the report of Cubmistress E. Blenkhorn. The pack was still being run in two groups with a total strength of 54.. Activities during the year had included an observation hike, a parents' evening, sports flxture, annual camp, a visit by 33 cubs to the county rally, a trip to Palmerston North on the occasion of the visit of .the Empire Chief Scout, Lord Rowallan, a Foundet's Day service, regular church parades and a field day with the Foxton, Poroutawhao and Otaki cubs. At present there were six assistant cubmistresses, Mrs. Harvey and Misses J. Ransom, J. Bott, N. Saulbrey, L. Bilderbeck and- E. Hudson. More were required, particularly for the Saturday morning pack, which had now been closed to all except boys residing in the country. Rover Crew Activities. A meeting had been held in Levin on March 11, 1949, attended by eight interested persons, at which a rbver crew had been formed, said Rover Leader J. R. M&under in^ his report. He had been appointed leader, Mr. J. Lines assistant rover leader and Mr. P. Levy rover mate. Meetings had since been held fortriightly in meinbers' homes, there being no hall available. The crew had .organised a very successful county crew night at Tatum Park, Manakau, attended by about 30 rovers from Palmerston North and Feilding. 'Plans were in train ito buiid a small rovers' den of a temporary nature. The present membership stood at nine. The leaders of tlie crew felt that the crew would. mean a great deal to the group in the years fto come, added - Mr, Maunder.