SCOUT EXHIBITION

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 31, 30 October 1937, Page 6

SCOUT EXHIBITION

50MMISSI0NEE J. R. H. COOKSEY

Handicrafts Display In Hastings . VALVE OF MOVEMENT «It ia better to spend money on kgading your boys to Scout jamborees - to spend millions of pounds to . gend thern to be blown to pieces," said Ckraunissioner J. R. H. Cooksey, speaking.last night at tbe exhibition of Seout bandicrafts held in St. Matthew's hall. Hastings. Mr Cooksey, by meana of , lantera slides, demonstrated the value accruing from tbe periodio gatberings of boys from all parts of the world and tbe influence for peace which came #s a natural result. ■"We have terrifie problems to faco to-day," be continued. "Tbe world is jfnll of spiritual unrest, pbysical unfit- " mess and international puzzles. Perhaps Our ehlef trouble is tbat we try to solve Hhe$e drfficulties in our own lifetime, wbereas in Scouting tbe work is going Joa steadily, although we are not mncb JLn tbe limelight." Kew Zealand, witb its wide open fcpaces, bealtby manbood and absence of real dums was, nevertheless, lagging .jjadly in Seouting. Tbe Dominion bad

Ideal advantages, but tbe movement did aot get tbe snpport it needed. Particularly deplorable was the laek of Scoutjca&ters. "I know of no movement wbicb gets jbigger xesnlts and yet asks for-so little jaoney," concluded Mr Cooksey. Interesting Eibibits. Tbe meeting was well attended and proved a suceess in every way. Among fbe exhibits were to be found models in wood* and' metal, eleetrical devices, including an exceedingly well-made microphone, linoeuts, reading lamps, wickerwork'in mats and trays, camp stools, card tables, bread-boards, silver-paper pictures and even jfcrseys, all made by tbe boys. One exhibit, wbicb attracted a great deal of attention, was a large earved Maori bouse. >- ""We bave here a display covering avery pbase of arts and erafts — tbinge beautiful and tbings useful," remarked tbe Mayor of Hastings, Mr G. A. Maddison, in declaring tbe exhibition open. Tbe standaxd, be added, sbowed a definite improvement on.that.of last year's exhibition/' d'TMs exhibition is indicative of one of tbe valnes of tbe Scout movement," said Mr Maddison. "Through tbis work is manifested chatacter, industry, conscientiousness, meticulous care, and self-reliance — all cbaracteristics responsi&e for tbe pioneering work in tbis country, but sadly lacking to-day. f But tbe Scouts in Hastings are a family without a home, altbougb I bope tbat, before tbe end of November, sufficient money and materials will have been obtained for tbe work of building tbe but in Drake . street to be begun. Once tbis is completed, tbe Scouts Will iive a bome giving tbem tbe opportunity of exercising fully tbe knowledge they bave gained in tbe movement." , Tbe euccess of tbe organisation depended upon tbe individual, be reminded tbe Scouts, and be stressed tbe need for expression through tbe bands. Often tbere was more cbaracter building derived from a simple "piece of work than' from tbe more elaborate exhibits aeen in tbe exbibition. i ■ — i