BOY SCOUTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16487, 28 February 1914, Page 17

BOY SCOUTS.

MONTHLY MEETING OF DOs, . . MINION COUNCIL. THE RECENT INTER-STATE CONFERENCE. (By VEDETTE.) The monthly meeting of the Dominion Boy Scout Council was postponed from February 6 till February 20, to enable Mr Benjamin, District Commander, Lyttelton, who went to Melbourne with tho New Zoaland contingent, to attend and make his report. Mr Benjamin did so, dwelling at considerable longth on the groat kindness shown the New Zealanders by Scout officials and friends in the great city, an 4 emphasising the- fact that the educational value of the trip of the boys could not be reckoned in money. * The behaviour of tho boys had been good, and lie was satisfied that tho training imparted in New Zealand was second to none in Australasia. Dr Reid, who judged the ambulance competition, said that the New Zoaland boys were entirely on their own; and that he had never seen their work excelled in civil or military competitions. At tho conclusion of the rally an inter-State conference of Australian Commissioners and Scoutmasters was held on January 19. There were present representatives from Tasmania. New Zealand, and all the Australian States except Western Australia. The Commissioner for Victoria (Mr. W. E. L. Wears) presided. In opening the meeting, tho chairman stated that the Conference in no way committed the several Associations represented to any of the resolutions which might be passed. They were to be taken as recommendations submitted to the Association for the purpose of securing uniformity of policy and method.

PROFICIENCY BADGES. Commissioner C. S. Snow (Queensland) introduced the question of proficiency badges. His experience, from whnt he had seen, had led him to beliovo that the standard adopted by the soveral Associations did not agree, and a fixed standard should, in his opinion, as far ns possible, be adopted, subject to such local conditions as the Associations might consider necessary. To be of any value, Scouts should have a thorough knowledge of their subject, and should have the full knowledge that they had earned their badges. He explained the methods adopted in Queensland for examination, the standards set. the forms used, and the method of distribution. . , Messrs IV•Benjamin (District Commissioner, New Zoaland), G. P. Stock (New South Wales), S. W. Dutton (South Australia). G. S. Green (Tasmania), and It. D. Roberts (Organising’Commissioner, Victoria), each detailed the methods adopted, and on comparison it was found that whilst the methods in New Zealand, Victoria and Queensland, were similar, yet the Question of a definite'standard had not been considered to the same extent as in Queensland. Mr S. W. Dutton (South Australia) moved: —‘‘That tho method adopted by Queensland for examination, and issue of proficiency badges is generally approved by this Conference, and is recommended to the other Associations in Australia for adoption. The motion was seconded bv Mr G. b. Green (Tasmania), and carried. ANNUAL AUSTRALASIAN RALLY. Mr C. S. Snow (Queensland) moved: “That an annual Australasian Rally be hold in turn by each Association in Australasia, in tho capital cities of the States.” Tho motion was seconded bv Mi * • Benjamin (New Zealand) and carried. Mr J. M. Mort (Victoria) moved ‘•'That tho next rally should be held in Queensland at a date to be decided upon hereafter.” The motion was seconded by Mr it. I). Robert (Victoria) and carried. The meeting then adjourned till the following day. The Conference re-assembled m the Board Room on Tuesday at 2.80 p.m. ANNUAL AUSTRALASIAN CONFERENCE. The Conference resumed on January 20. and the following business was transacted:—

Mr C. S. Snow (Commissioner for Queensland) moved :—“ an Australasian Conference of the Boy Scouts Association, Incorporated hv Royal Charter, he established, sucli conference) to legislate on matters of common interest, and its members to be composed of delegates to whom voting powers have been conferred by the various State Associations, and such conferenca to meet at the annual rally ; that it is desirable that delegates bo Scout officials with practical experience of Scout work.” The motion was seconded by M r Derbyshire Roberts (Organising Commissioner for Victoria) and carried. Mr F. Benjamin (New Zealand) moved:—“That while advisory members from each State may attend the Conference, one delegate only be empowered to vote; that in the event of no delegate being able to attend from any particular State, such State may appoint a representative who is a member of the Boy Scouts Association, and delegate to such representative the power to vote.” The motion was seconded by Mr C. S. Snow (Queensland! and carried. Mr 0. P. Stock (New South Wales) proposed:—“That all motions intended to bo submitted at the annual Conference be forwarded to the lw-notis^ 1 ' official at the centre at which the rally shall bo held at least two months, previous to such conference, and that the various motions submitted be immediately forwarded to each State headquarters for consideration.” The motion was seconded by Mr C.„ S. Avery (South Australia) and carried. INTER-STATE CHALLENGE BANNER.

Mr G. S. Green (Tainania) moved: — “That the Queensland headquarters submit at the earliest opportunity to each State headquarters for their consideration, the proposed regulations governing the award of the Inter-state Challenge Banner, kindly donated by Mr W. E. L. Wears (Commissioner for Victoria). The motion was seconded by Mr F. Benjamin (New Zealand) and carried.

On the motion of Mr S. W. Dutton (South Australia), seconded by Mr C. S. Snow (Queensland), it was resolved that the best thanks of the Conference should be accorded to Mr W. E. L. Wears (Commissioner for Victoria) for the public spirit lie had shown in presenting to the Australasian Conference a challenge banner for inter-troop competition at the annual rally. Mr Wears acknowledge the compliment accorded to him. VISIT OF CHIEF SCOUT FOR AMERICA.

Mr S. W. Dutton (South Australia) introduced the question of inviting Mr Ernest Thompson Soton, the Chief Scout for America, aiid suggested that Mr TV. E. L. Wears (Victoria) and Mr C. S. Snow (Queensland) should he asked to confer on the subject, and, without committing the Association to any financial responsibility, should he deputed to write to Mr Soton to inquire whether he would bo, likely to visit Australasia some time in i 915. The suggestion was favourably received by all the delegates and was approved. SENIOR SCOUTS. In the discussion which followed Mr F. Benjamin (New Zealand) asked what.

was being done to hold Senior Scouts, and read a letter from Colonel Cossgrove, V.D. (Commissioner for New Zealand) dealing with the question. It was decided that the subject should bo brought up at tho next annual conference for discussion, and that each. State in the meantime should do its best to formulate some scheme by which the Senior boys could be retained, and should report the results at the next Conference.

Mr Benjamin was thanked for his attendance and interesting report, and much satisfaction was expressed at tho favourable impression tho dominion boys had made m Melbourne. The selfsacrifice and attention devoted to the boys by Messrs Benjamin, Tapp and Parsons were also much appreciated.

The following appointments had been made since last meeting:—Mr W. HNewton, Commissioner for Auckland East, sub-province; Rev J. Hawdon, District Commander, Christchurch ; Mr J. D. Andrews, Scoutmaster, Avonside ; Mr A. Chatfield, .Assistant Scoutmaster, Papanui; Mr R. Fox, Assistant Scoutmaster and Examiner Bee-keeper, Christchurch; Mr J. n. Foster, Examiner Gardener, Christchurch; Rev J. L. Mortimer, Scoutmaster, Christchurch ; Colonel Porritt, District (fimmander, Pacroa; Mr R. H. Walmsley, District Secretary, Paeroa: and Mr R. S. Bennett, Assistant Scoutmaster, Patoka, Napier*. The following resignations had been received:—Mr E. S. Henry, District Scoutmaster, Auckland ; Rev H. C. Money, District Commissioner, Christchurch; Rev W. Swinburn, Commissioner, Southland.

All Scout officers are requested to note that the Rev W. H. Orbell, Dominion Secretary, has removed to Papanui, Christchurch, where all corres-

pondence to him must be addressed till further notice.

Colonel Brownrigg, Commissioner for . Oversea Dominions, ill writing, to i Colonel Cossgrove, expresses his plea-;, sure at the progress New Zealand is!' making in Scoutcraft, and again era-j; phasises the fact that the dominion has solo control of the movement here, and that it lias always taken the lead' among oversea dominions in Scoitting. He also expresses the hope that the dominion will always maintain the;, same friendly touch with the London Council that it has done from the first. i. V . . ~

The conditions governing the compc- { f titions for the King’s Standard this, year will be found on pages 24 and. 25 of the Dominion Boy Scouts’ Con-;/ stitutiori pamphlet, June, 1913. The pamphlet is now in the hands of all:/ Commissioners. /

!' District Committees are again re- w minded that competent examiners musty ; be appointed by them for each of tho > proficiency badges and that Scoutniasters must not examine their own boys* in any tests other than tenderfoot aud it second-class. Chief Inspectors should;., examine only for first-class badges uu- ! less they have expert knowledge of.-,; one or more of the tests for proficiency if badges and are appointed by their r committees to examine candidates for those badges. ' v - «f