BOY SCOUTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1926, Page 4

BOY SCOUTS.

SECOND HOKITIKA TROOP AND PACK. SCO UTMASTER’S QUARTERLY REPORT. (Contributed.) Although last Tuesday’s meeting of the parents and friends of the Second Troop was to some extent spoiled by tho bad weather, it lengthy meeting disposed of considerable business in-i.-lulling arrangements for -St. George's Day and Anzac Day. The following badges have been gained during the past week:—Enrolled as Tenderpad, .J. McDougall, R. McDoug.•ill. It. Wiebiitz,, G. Silence; first star, C. Duncan. On Saturday the scouts have on hand a treasure limit for a bag of money hidden south of the river ami some of them will camp over there for the week-end. It is hoped to hold an open air camp fire at (i.lit) p.m. on St. George’s Day, and to this parents and other interested persons are invited. Tlio actual progress made in the past three mouths is very hard to estimate. In numerical strength the net alteration is inconsiderable, ami in other respects wo have both, gained and Inst in so many different ways that it is not possible to say at the moment whether we are really the better as a troop for what has been a fairly busy summer.

In the Wolf Cub Pack three enrolled Clubs .have left tho town and one lias "gone up” into the .Scout Troop, while ime other has been crossed oil. In audition two have been placed on the honorary list while unable to attend meetings through no fault ol their rwn. till the other hand tho lack o! recruits alluded to last quarter is m> longer in evidence si it cl seven i,e\, bovs have joined. Eleven ' cubs were camped lor •-ix days immediately helorc Christmas at- Awatuua under the charge of Mr Kelly. and appear to have Imd an excellent time. Ten others have sine.! had a week-end

at South Spit. ALtoiuhinet* has been poor this your. Dill-ill”: February the average present a-as only oh per rent., the worst in tin l history of the Park. tor March it improved to Mo iier relit. Outdooi meetings have hern held regularly, I> ut only a lew efime to these as a rule. Singing praetiees have hero discontinue!) as without assistance I am unable I , e.( i t.i scouts and rtihs hotli ready lor a. public display. i hat the ellort put into tiiese by the hoys and members of the Commit lee. etc. should have failed in litis way may help to emphasise the urgent need of help in this direction of assistants. One hist aider and two collector badges have been gained in the period, i Quite a large proportion of Cubs ! roach scout age this year so the recruit. ing for till' Pack still needs every en- , couragoment. In the Smut Troop two hoys have ! left the town during the period and | the two others referred to hist quarter l as unable to attend meetings have ' been crossed off the strength of the i troop. One new hoy has come up Irom ; the Ctili Pick. | The majority of the troop ramped fur six days at Awatuna from December IStlt last, while nine members of this troup were included in the local party which attended the Dunedin Jamboree. Other week end camps have been held on the beach and in the husli. The trip to Dunedin was marked hv no untoward incidents and was undoubtedly a groat experience for t.te boys. Of its value from a purely scouting point of view [ am rather doubtful, save that the size of the .Scout Hrothcrhnod must, he now" more of a reality in the minds of those who were present. Attendance has varied considerably during tlu' period. Tee Trnep is at present so small that even one slack member is able to throw* our plans out of gear. One Tenderfoot and one Proficiency Dodge have been gained since the last report. Anellier batch of slaves have I cut and sent away, this time to Wnimale. The Chief Scout's birthday was celebrated by a special meeting on February 22nd. A number of ie.vs, etc., were distributed to children likely to he overlooked hv Father Christinas. These had been purchased with the savings of the two patrols of scouts. During the Awntima. Camps both, scouts ami euhs wen.' inspected ll.lv. IDo < Inventor-General who spoke to the hoys Chief S; .nit lor New Zealand. The actual departure of A.S.M. Thus. Kelly hits brought- the need of olher help- in running the troop to so urgent a poin,, that 1 am asking your permission to speak to the meeting oil the subject in greater detail than is possible in this report.