BOY SCOUTS AND CADETS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 16, 16 July 1910, Page 8

BOY SCOUTS AND CADETS.

THE AMALGAMATION ARRANGEMENT. While the Hon. G. Fowlds. Minister for Education, was in Auckland, in attendance on the Governor, he met Major Mac Donald, commandant of junior cadets, and Dr. MackgilL. commander of the North Island Legfan of Boy Scouts, with the object of settling some of the questions which have hitherto created some difficulty in regard to the control of the boy scouts in the Dominion. It is satisfactory to note that as a result, in future the operations of the organisation will not be interfered with through the working of the Defence Act. In the bill amending the Defence Act, now before Parliament, there is a clause raising the age at which boys will be officially recognised as boy scout cadets to 18 years. Should this become law a boy on leaving school will be able to enrol in the scout cadets, and remain in this organisation till it is time for him to pass on to the territorials. During this period he will receive the usual military training, and in addition, training in special subjects, such as signalling, ambulance, and first-aid work. Such units will be attached to the Cadet Department and be subject to the usual regulations and conditions governing cadets. The increase of the age up to 18 years is decidedly in favour of the organisation, as it will enable boys to become thoroughly conversant with scouting, and thus fit them for the position of scout masters. One of tne drawbacks that has been felt by the organisation will thus be overcome, as it it not always possible to find suitable scout-mastera to take control of the numerous troops that are being formed by the boys themselves, in accordance with Baden Powell's book.

Under the new arrangement the boy scouts will become members of the scouts cadet branch, and will in nowise lose individual touch with the organisation of which they have, since the inception of the movement been members.

Thi3 morning, speaking in regard to the scout movement, the inspector of the Auckland district (Mr. H. W. Stebbing) said it is most gratifying to find that the work is progressing most satisfactorily. The various subjects which are taught under the original system of .uaden-Powell, have undoubtedly proved of the greatest benefit to i-ae boys. The recognition of this has induced the Government to make it possible for the boys, even as cadets, to continue the study of the original system of scouting laid down by the organisation. In conclusion, -oX. Stebbing said that in future it is not expected that the two movements will clash in any way, but will work hand in hand.

Pending the decision of Parliament in the matter, Lieutenant-Colonel Cossgrove, Commandant of the Sew Zealand organisation, has issued instructions, for the convenience of the scout-masters, that the organisation is to proceed on the lines hitherto laid down.

In Auckland and suburbs there are about 950 boys enrolled as scouts, and many of these are sixteen, so that they will benefit by the new arrangement.

The Northcote Boy Scouts last evening elected their officers for the ensuing six months. A medal was presented, to Sergt.Oilajor Carter in recognition of his services during the past six months. In making the presentation !Mx Cadness (Mayor of Northcote), who wa3 accompanied "by Councillor Vaji Veen, congratulated the late Sergt.-Major on the good work done during his term of office, and also addressed -words of encouragement to the newly elected Scrgt.Major, Norman MeDexinott. Mrs Cadness subsequently entertained the boys with, a splendid programme of musical and other items, through the medium of the latest type of gramaphonc. It was announced tha-t arrangements had been made for an illustrated lecture on the '■growth, of architecture," by Mr W. T. Glover, who is -well acquainted with some of the most famous buildings in the Old Land. The lecture should be most interesting and attractive to the •boys.