FEATHERSTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 August 1939, Page 9

FEATHERSTON

BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT ANNUAL REPORTS. (“Times- Age” Special.) The annual report of the Featherston Cub Pad; states that the meetings during the year were of a satisfactory nature. The number in the Pack was 10 with an average attendance of. 8. On August 3 two boys who had attained the cub age limit "went up” to the Scout troop. The assistant Cubmaster, Miss Anne Fellingham, thanked the committee for its help, and hoped that with the further co-opera-tion of the parents that the ensuing year would be an even better one than the last. Helpful visits had been paid to the cubs by Miss McTaggart and District Scoutmaster Halpin. The annual report of the secretary (Miss G. McTaggart) of the Featherston Boy Scout Group Committee stated that the membership of the Scout Troop had been steady. The present officers in the group were: G.S.M., Mr. J. Halpin; S.M., Mr. Harkness; A.S.M.. Mr. H. Piper; C.M., Mr. J. Lynch; A.C.M., Miss A. Fellingham; Instructor to Pack, Miss M. Hayes. Fifteen of the Scouts are to attend the New Zealand Centennial Jamboree at Heretaunga. The Scout Troop were represented at the Eradfield (Sydney) Jamboree by Mr. J. Halpin and Patrol-leader G. Fellingham. The membership of the Cub Pad; has decreased but it is hoped to remedy this in the near future. Mr. Halpin, Group Scoutmaster, reported that the membership stood at three officers and 27 boys, the highest for a number of years. There are 12 second-class Scouts. G tenderfeet and 4 recruits, all the latter having had service with the Cub pack. Two boys had been recently transferred to the Mo Katoa Troop (Masterton). Although they had not at present any first-class Scouts several boys had completed their tests, and at least two 'are expected to qualify for the King Scout badge in time for the Jamboree. The attendance at parades had been exceptionally good. The following badges had been recently gained: 1 interpreter, 1 entertainer, 5 pathfinders and 11 firemans. The group was indebted to Mr. Clark and Mr. Willett for instruction in first aid work and to Mr Boston for coaching the boys for the fireman’s badge. Through the kindness of several friends of the movement a start had been made to obtain funds for the purchase of equipment for the Jamboree. Sixteen members of the troop will attend. The group was in need of two more tents, various cooking and other .utensils, and aji of other gear. Ground sheets and palliases are required for each boy, and the ownership of these by the troop would remove a perpetual worry from the shoulders of the scooter taking the boys to camp. Thanks were expressed to the chairman, secretary and members of tlie committee for the support given during the year. Personal. Messrs. N. C. C. Shepherd (District Commissioner), J. Halpin (District Scoutmaster), J. Lynch (local Cubmaster), Misses G. McTaggart (District Cubmaster) and A. Fellingham (assist-ant-Cubmaster) have left for Palmerston North to attend the Jamboree Conference over the week-end. Difficult Work,. For the difficult work or erecting the pylons on the hills for the WellingtonMasterton line, it has been found necessary, owing to the steepness of the grade, to employ mules and horses to pack the material required. Some places are too steep for tractor work.