WITH THE BOY SCOUTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 628, 3 April 1929, Page 6

WITH THE BOY SCOUTS

The following extracts are from the Dominion Headquarters’ Bulletin for March: Imperial Jamboree. —Commissioner W. F. Meek, Dunedin, visited headquarters on Thursday, the 14th inst., on his way to England, and very kindly offered to place his services at the association’s disposal in connection with making arrangements on our behalf for the Jamboree Contingent next August. Mr. Meek has been entrusted to see to several matters pertaining to the contingent’s accommodation in London and the itinerary of travel with Messrs. Thomas Cook and Sons during the sta.y in England when the Jamboree is over. A further nomination from Hav/ke’s Bay has been accepted. This makes the list of nominees 30. A cable has just come to hand from Imperial Headquarters regretting that they are unable to accept nominations of Cub officers at the Jamboree Camp and suggesting that these nominees be made either Assistant Scoutmasters or Rover Scouts. It was decided that these Cub officers be made Assistant Scoutmasters for the purpose of attending the Jamboree, but they will subsequently attend the Cub Course at Gillwell in their substantive New Zealand ranks. A communication has just come to hand from Sydney making a definite offer for the New Zealanders to join up with the Australian contingent, but it was decided that the executive’s original intention to send the New Zealanders as a separate body would be adhered to. Finance. —ln order that Dominion Headquarters may have some indication as to the financial position of Districts and Lone Troops, it was decided that the Rules and Regulations be amended to give the Executive power to call up balance sheets. Rule 4, Finance, was accordingly amended by adding, after the word “annually” in balance sheets, the following words: “And a copy of the balance sheet of each District, Lone Troop or Pack must be forwarded to Dominion Headquarters not later than October 31 in each year,” and, after the word “committees” in paragraph 3, the words “are expected” be omitted for the purpose of inserting the word “must.”

Christchurch Gillwell Camp. —The Christchurch Commissioner made a request for assistance in connection with a Gillwell Camp to be held at Easter and the two following week-ends. It was decided that he be granted £ 1 a ficouter who completes the course, the grant to go toward the cost of overhead expenses in the form of hire of tents and purchase of necessary camp equipment. Metropolitan District Commissioners’ Conference. —It was decided that the four Metropolitan Commissioners be invited to meet the Executive for a conference on Scout affairs on Thursday, June 13, 1929. Honours and Awards.! —lt was decided that the Chief Scout be recommended to award a Letter of Commendation to Patrol Leader Leslie Jones, of the First Marton Boy Scout Troop, for his rescue of Assistant Scoutmaster Rees, who got into difficulties while bathing under the Onepuhi Bridge in the Rangitikei River on November 25, 1928. The award of a Long Service Medal to Scoutmaster E. W. Roderique, of the Island Bay Troop, Wellington, and to District Scoutmaster G. L. Culver, Wanganui, was approved, as also was the award of one five years’ bar for District Scoutmaster R. Hopkins, of New Plymouth. 3ea Scout Inspection. —lt was reported that Commander Hall had found it impossible to carry out his inspection as anticipated, and the Commissioners at Wellington, Auckland and Nelson have been advised accordingly. The Wellington District wrote asking for the inspection to be postponed until after Easter, for various local /easons, and their Sea Scout Committee has been asked to formulate their proposals for Commander Hall’s information. The Chief Commissioner explained that there was no “competition for ihe Sea Scout Trident,” but it was awarded to the Company which, in the opinion of the Inspecting Officer, showed the greatest proficiency in all-round work at the time of the inspection. Swimming and Life-Saving. —Mr. Amos stated that he appreciated the Chief Commissioner’s circular regarding Swimming and Life-saving, and reported that the Royal Life Saving Society of New Zealand was prepared to assist the Boy Scout Movement in all centres.

Dominion Rally (21st Anniversary of Scouting).—lt was decided that the date of the general parade cf Scouts throughout the Dominion, as mentioned at the last meeting, would be Saturday, August 3, 1929. Wellington Gillwell Camp. —The Wellington Gillwell Camp at present being held is proving a great success. * * • Captain Woods, Assistant Commissioner for Sea Scouts in Auckland, advises that the inspection of all Sea Scout companies in the district for the Jellicoe Trident will be carried oUt by Commander Hall on the afternoon of Friday, April 12, between Queen’s and Central Wharves. A meeting of Sea Scout officers will be held on Thursday April 4, at 7.45 p.m., at District Headquarters ,to make arrangements for the Jellicoe Trident inspection. m m m Four out of the five Sea Scout companies in Auckland* conducted Easter camps. The Calliope and Hawke companies chose Pine Island as their destination and, though the camps were separate, the boys combined in sport, games and sailing. Eight Fame Sea Scouts, under Captain Price and Mr. T. Cottle, went into camp at the mouth of the Whau Creek from Saturday until Monday, the Cubs* camp being situated at Oakley Creek, where instruction in swimming and boat work was carried out. The Victory Sea Scouts, under Mr. C. Foote, spent a happy and instructive vacation at Onetaunga. •. • * In addition to those troops whose Easter camping arrangements were mentioned in these columns last week, 20 St. Mary's hoys, in charge of Mr. G. Iversen, spent Easter under canvas at Pukematekeo. Devonport Scouts crossed the harbour to Rangitoto and Great Lone Eagle, our new scribe in the First Devonport Troop, forwards the following account of the camp: “ ‘So this is Rangitoto?’ was said by some of our new Scouts who, for the first time, enjoyed a three days’ camp in our bach, which accommodates 22 boys. “After everything was swept and cleaned up we went for a hike in the bush and round the coast. As usual, we were under the leadership of Scoutmaster Frank Jones. On the following day we hiked to the summit and left two boys to prepare dinner for our hungry appetites when we returned. A considerable amount of signalling with semaphore flags and JAicas lamps, kindly lent by the Narrow Neck camp, was carried out. Ambushing and deerstalking were also greatly enj ryea. Later in the day a few more Scouts came over with field telephones, ilso lent by the Narrow Neck camp. “On Monday morning we hiked to Islington Bay, a distance of two and three-quarter miles over rough scoria roads, and at 4 o’clock we prepared for home. “Our troop is progressing favourably with a list of 25 boys. There are four patrols under Leaders Bennett, Robinson, Rosenfeldt and Matthews. The Pascoe Cup has been won by Patrol Leader Jack Robinson three times in succession—a record for the troop.”

Straight Feather, scribe of the Ellerslie Troop, writes: “The weekly parades of the Ellerslie Troop recommenced on Friday, March 1, with a good attendance. During the holidays our Scoutmaster, the Rev. Mr. Isherwood, was transferred to Penrose and the troop is now led by Mr. Walker, the former Assistant Scoutmaster. “The long absence from parades made it necessary to brush up old work. Proficiency badges, due from last year, were presented to successful Scouts and some more Tenderfeet joined the Great Brotherhood. A church parade, which over 20 Scouts attended, was held on March 24. During April it is intended to hold a parade on Saturday, the 13th, for the benefits of Scouts who wish to pass outdoor second-class tests. Beside the usual church parade on the fourth Sunday of the month, there will be one on Anzac Day.”