Rotorua Boy Scouts

Rotorua Boy Scouts, photographer Mack, Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa (OP-1059)

Early beginnings

The earliest known recorded reference to Scouting in Rotorua was published in the Taranaki Herald in 1911. It was reported that at the time there were two troops in Rotorua. One composed of fourteen Māori youth at Ohinemutu, and the other a pakeha troop of thirty six Scouts. The troops were formed by Scoutmaster Hawley. It was noted that Hawley had the honour of forming the first Māori troop ("The Boy Scouts", 1911). The reason that little is known from the early days of Scouting in Rotorua is possibly due to local newspaper records of the day no longer being in existence.

Don Stafford (1988) notes that a Scout troop was formed in Rotorua by Captain Prictor, who had been involved in Scouting in South Africa and India, some time before November 1913. In November 1913, a new Rotorua Scout District was formed, which covered a radius of thirty six miles of the township. In December 1913 the first district committee was elected and on the 15th of December the first scout camp was held at Ngapuna. There are many reports in the early years of scout camps at Maketu and Mamaku, for example.

Boy Scouts Fancy Dress Ball, 1914, photographer unknown, Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa (OP-1046)

The colours of the Rotorua troop were consecrated on 19 July 1914 by Rev. F. A Bennett at a ceremony at Arawa Park attended by some 600 people. The blue flag, which was emblazoned with 'Rotorua Troop' and the motto 'Be Prepared', was donated by Mrs. Ellen Malfroy.

Later in the year the Rotorua Girl Peace Scouts Troop was established by Captain Prictor with Scoutmistress Young. In August 1914 a Scout troop was formed at Whakarewarewa by Scoutmaster Banks, who would later become the headmaster of Whakarewarewa School, and the following year a Scout troop was formed at Mamaku (Stafford, 1988).

Captain Prictor was supported by Scoutmaster T.C. Hawkins, who was heavily involved in Scouting for much of his life. Prictor left Rotorua for military service in September 1915 leaving Hawkins as being responsible for the Rotorua troop. Hawkins retired from Scouting in February 1934.    

A highlight for Scouts was a visit to Rotorua by Founder and Chief Scout Lord Baden-Powell in February 1935. The troops of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides assembled at the train station station to meet him. When it was learned that he had arrived by car the Scouts marched to the Grand Hotel where they performed a haka ('The Chief Scout', 1935). Rotorua also received a visit in 1949 from the then Empire Chief Scout Lord Rowallan ('Chief Scout at Rotorua', 1949).

Boy scouts greet their leader. (1935, February 13). Auckland Weekly News, 38. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. AWNS-19350213-38-2

Another highlight for Scouts was the World Jamboree. The 6th World Scout Jamboree was held in Moisson, France in 1947. This was the first jamboree to be held after Baden-Powell's death in 1941. It was originally to take place in 1941. Following the devastation of World War II, the event was named the Jamboree of Peace. 24,152 Scouts participated from 38 countries. Approximately 240 boys from New Zealand attended. Rotorua Library Archives holds a collection of ephemera from the 1947 6th World Scout Jamboree that was collected by V. J. Karl.

Rotorua contingent at 1947 6th World Scout Jamboree, France
Sherlock, J.G. (1999). The Ngongotaha Scout Hall: formerly Te Purei. Rotorua: JG Sherlock

To view V.J. Karl's scouting ephemera collection please see staff at the 2nd floor desk.

Post written by Graeme with thanks to Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, Don Stafford collection, Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa, Rotorua Library Archives.

References

Chief scout at Rotorua. (1949, January 19). Bay of Plenty Times, 3.

The boy scouts. (1911, January 7). Taranaki Herald, 6.

The chief scout. (1935, February 9). New Zealand Herald, 14.

Stafford, D. (1988). The new century in Rotorua. Ray Richards Publisher; Rotorua District Council.