Over the Christmas - New Year period 1949-50 eight Boys attended the Battalion Camp at Waipara, continuing the Company's participation in the annual Camp. Under the vigorous and experienced leadership of Mr Dunn, the sound training of previous years was brought to a peak. The results of competitive events soon showed the other Companies of the Battalion that the 6th, although only six years old, was reaching as high a standard as any of the more experienced Companies. The Juniors won their section of the swimming sports, and the Drill Squad won 1st place in the Drill Competition, defeating many of the old hands. Badge work too maintained its high standard, as evidenced by the splendid Display at the end of 1950. An inspiring gathering of parents and friends at this combined BB-GLB Display indicated how the interest in the movement was growing. For the Life Boy Team, too, 1950 was an active year. The transfer of ten Life Boys to the Company had boosted the roll to 18, but had left rather a depleted team of 14. Numbers soon recovered, and with the leadership unchanged from the previous year, the Team was in a healthy state. Game evenings, a Field Day at Ashburton, and a full team programme maintained the interest and enthusiasm of the Boys. A Silver Jubilee Dominion Camp at Waipara from December 1950 to January was an event to be remembered. Twelve Boys from the Company joined the 1450 Boys from New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands, Asia, and Europe to celebrate (in spite of a rail strike that Christmas) another milestone in our Movements History. Two Officers from the Company also attended the Camp. At the Enrolment Service in June 1951, four Officers and 13 Boys renewed their promises, and 14 new members were enrolled. Maintaining their high standard from the previous year, the Company Drill Squad reached 2nd place in the 1951 Competition. A highlight of this session was the dedication of Company Colours, which had been donated by one of the Officers of the Period. The Dedication Service was incorporated in the Annual Display of 1951, when Mr J.L. Bush; the Battalion President was the Inspecting Officer. Mr W. H. McVicker, the overseas secretary of the BB, visited N.Z. in May 1951 on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of BB in N.Z. He carried messages from the King and Lord Maclay (Brigade President) to BB N.Z. "If the 6th Christchurch Company, which I saw last night, is typical of the Companies in New Zealand, then I am greatly encouraged", Mr McVicker said. Battalion Camp again attracted a good group of Boys, the 6th providing the largest single contingent - 22 Boys. The Life Boy roll increased from 14 to 27 in the first six months of 1951, Mr Allchurch being assisted by Miss Dawn Burnettt, and Mrs Lewis. At the 6-a-side Soccer Tournament the Team won the Shield, and held it for that year. It was unfortunate that the changes in the team Leadership during 1952 resulted in a smaller amount of work being done than expected. But under the guidance of Mr David King the Team doubled the numbers from 14 to 28, with 12 Boys being transferred to the Company at the end of the session. In co-operation with the Company, the 1952 Boys' Brigade Week appeal raised a record amount - $62. At the end of 1952 the membership of the Team and the Company totalled about 60 Boys, a good level for a group associated with an inner city parish that was becoming increasingly commercialised. Towards the end of the same year Mr Dunn resigned, and Mr Ivan Clark, who had been a Lieutenant for several years, assumed the Captaincy. The appointment of Mr Ian McCully at the same time helped ease the leadership shortage. |
Founder Sir W. A. Smith |
7 An Efficient Unit |
New page: 31/7/01
