SCOUT TROOP FORMED AT MOERA.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 37, 20 February 1930, Page 9

SCOUT TROOP FORMED AT MOERA.

A puiblic meeting of the residents- of Moera was held.in the Community Hall on Wednesday, 12th inst., for the purpose of forming a local 'Scout Troop and Committee. Cr. D. S, Patrick presided and apologises were received from* Sir • Alex.' Roberts, Mr. W. Nash, M.P.,, Mr. W. T. Strand and • Mr. Cairns; The chairman introduced -Sir Alfred Robin, the Metropolitan Commissioner who gave an intreesting talk on the princiles of the Scout Movement. He said, thafct hey were all contained in tho. several promises which must hot be confused with an oath. It was merely a promise on-the part of the scout that he would endeavour to honour. There were ten scout laws, all of which, were

based on religious and patriotic principles and were'translated into 47 languages. The movement is non-seetaTian and is not in-any. sense military. The speaker stressed the cultivation of the patriotic and religious spirits and pointed out that history showed that where these "had been forgotten the country had decayed. Though there is no- "Thou shalt not"' in the scout code, each scout is encouraged to develop, his own ideas of honour. He is ureful and helps others at all times, especially those living around him. He. is thrifty and clean in thought and word.'

' Major Justin M. Power moved '' That a scout committee and troop be formed in MoeTa.'' In speaking to the motion, i Ma.jor Power said that he wished. to touch on; two aspects of the Boy Scout Movement. As the president of the local Chamber of Commerce he said: "We are deeply indebted to the promoters of the Movement." "It was noticeable that "wherever a boy had'been through the movement, a lasting impression remained and they were always truthful and courteous. Secondly, as the commander of a body of territorials in Wellington, he said, that the idea of tEe military to-day, was not so mu<ch to make soldieTS as it was to make ideal citizens. This view had been supports ■e rl by our late esteemed JGovrenorGeneral' Sir Gharies Fergusson', and he was wholly in accord with the sentiment. He paid high compliments' to the untiring efforts ofjbhe district secretary and of Mrs.. Joyce, the district Cub-master of the Waiwhetu Troop, and thought that with two auch capable leaders'Moera should be able to turn out the finest scout troop in the "Wellington district. ■

Rev. J. E. Lopdell seconded the motion and spoke of the world movementsof both religious and social organisations which were formed to interest the

young people. It was the team wotls! ii«. all of these movements that made, tLcm so valuable and the fact that it piovided the young with a hobby. He promised to give the movement his full support and hoped, that the troop wotiid arrange church, parades, when he would endeavour to interest them.

The motion was carried unanimously.

So keen was the rivelTy for the ipositions of chairman and of secretary, tfcat in both cases a ballot had to be taken, this resulting in Mr. McEwen being elected to the first offijee end Mr; Qruschow was elected secretary. .

The following general committee was elected:—Messrs Delmonte, Swift, Mali n, Paxia, Hughes, Milson, Freeman, Hoare, Rentoul, Keen, Sutherland, Mrs Nicoll and all the. ladies present.

The District Commissioner Mr. R. Nelson, congratulated thd district on the formation of the troop und promised to render any assistance that lay in his power.

Mr. Sutherland, in moving a vote of thanks to the speakers, said he considered the formation of a local troop was one of the finestmoyements ever projected in the settlement.