SCOUTS AND CUBS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 October 1939, Page 9

SCOUTS AND CUBS

DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEETING AT FEATHERSTON. SEPARATE RALLIES TO BE HELD. A successful meeting of the Wairarapa Scouts’ District Committee was held in the Parish Hall, Featherston. All the groups with the exception of Eketahuna, Martinborough, and Gladstone were well represented. Those present were: Messrs Langford, Askew, Ryan, Cook, Kerslake, Braggins, Morris, J. C. Robinson (treasurer), P. R. Wingfield (secretary), Commissioner N. C. C. Shepherd, D. S. M. Halpin. S.M’s. Allsop, Isles, Huntley, D. C. M. McTaggart, L.C.M’s. Thomas, Braggins and Askew. Mr Shepherd occupied the chair. Apologies for absence were received from the chairman, Messrs A. C. Pearce, Butler, Harkness, Gaze, Farley, J. Edge and J. Thomas. Mr Shepherd expressed the pleasure of the committee that Mr Askew had recovered from his recent illness and was again able to take an active pari in Scout matters. A letter addressed to the Scouters of the Wairarapa district from Mr Hector Cristie, Dominion Chief Commissioner, was read, expressing the disappointment of Dominion Headquarters that the Jamboree had had to be postponed for obvious reasons and their appreciation for all the sterling work the Scoutmasters had done. He was sure that Scouting in New Zealand would derive very great benefits from their efforts. The chief business of the meeting was the question of Scout and Cub rallies. A motion that a combined rally be held was rescinded and a further motion, proposed by Mr Halpin, that separate rallies be field, one for Scouts and another for the Cubs, was carried unanimously. Mr Robinson said that Scouters should have time to discuss this matter between themselves. Mr Isles thought that the idea of separate rallies was a good one —better work would be the outcome of the separation. Mr Cook suggested that the district camp be held in conjunction with the rallies. Mr Huntley said that in the case of separate rallies, transport was the burning question, and that for towns some distance away would involve extra expense. Regarding the Cub rally, it was decided thdt the Cubmasters be responsible for fixing a date for the event and that they notify the secretary; also that the rally should be held in Carterton and that the group committee be in sole charge of the arrangements. It was left to 'the District Scout Master to decide on the place and date for the Scout rally and to notify the secretary. The Carterton Scout Committee was given permission to cater and charge for afternoon tea and to supply free refreshments to the Scouts and Cubs on the. afternoon of the rally. A resolution was passed that the secretary apply for a benzine licence for the use of certain district officers. It was decided to hold the next meeting in Carterton, on a date to be decided on, pending the receipt of information regarding the Scout and Cub rallies. Commissioner Shepherd stated that as it was necessary that the district have an assistant Commissioner, whose time would be devoted more directly to the youngest arm of the movement. He would make representation to MiGaze. of Carterton, who was a wearer of the Gilwell scarf and who had done valuable work for the movement in the Wairarapa, to accept the nomination. Mr Huntley had declined the position owing to business reasons and also tc his own Scout activities in Greytown. Business concluded with votes of thanks to the chair and to the ladies of the Featherston Scout Committee, who were responsible for the excellent supper arrangements.