WITH THE SCOUTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 303, 19 December 1912, Page 8

WITH THE SCOUTS.

The Waikato District secretary announces with regret the resignation of Scoutmaster Rev. A. Drake, of the Franklin troop, and that the warrant of aopolntment in favour of Mr EL Baulf has been applied for. Mr tiaulf Is already actively engaged in connection with the troop. It is expected that most of the city and suburban troops attached to the Diocesan , tsrigade will go Into camp next week at St_ lieiier's Bay. The camp will be continued lor ten days, during which time it will be in command of Scoutmaster MacFarland. who will have the assistance of other officers. A suitable camping groynd was selected on Saturday afternoon _.%». Captain Forbes Eadie, In command of the local unit of the Legion of Frontiersmen during his residence in the Waikato, took a very active interest in the H_miiton and Cambridge troops, and rendered material assistance to the local chief-scout-master (Rev. W. E. Connolly). As Captain Eaeiie is likely to spend a considerable time at intervais in Auckland he ha« consented to assist the local organisation when required to do so. Captain Eadie belonged to a scout corps specially chosen for work in the Far East. With other frontiersmen he will give an account of some of his scouting experiences at an early date. There is every prospect of the scout move ment being largely taken up In the Paeroa district. Ldeut.-Colonel Porritt has communicated with the Auckland headquarters requesting full Information regarding tion of patrols. The boys of St. Andrew's" Church are very eager to make a start. The Diocesan brigade is already represented in Paeroa. Sergeant-Major W. Everson, who received his scont training in Auckland and is now resident in Opotiki, has reported that a strong troop has now been formed by him in that town, and proposes that a patrol should visit Auckland shortly. The entertainment provided by the boys of St. Barnabas' and St. Aiban's troops at Mt. Roskill on Thursday evening last was a great success. The chaplain to St. Aiban's i Rev. Wingneld) presided. The s>r Barnabas' boys repeated the play "An Exciting JDay. or a Good Turn at All Times" witmuch credit. The St. Aiban's boys contributed a scout play based on Captain Smith's adventures in Virginia. The Red Indian element introduced evoked much enthusiasm. Very enjoyable items contributed by meanbers of the St. Aiban's choir made up a good programme. Model bridges, derricks, aeroplanes, 'and samples of knottying were exhibited. The Provincial Commissioner addressed those present on the objects of the scout movement and its progress in New Zealand. At the monthly church parade of the St Barnabas' boys last Sunday there was a muster of 33 scout's with their officers. The chaplain to the troop (Rev. McFarlana), in the course of his sermon, pointed out the great possibilities for boy scouts to win a reputation as (Jod-fearing and honourable citizens. He advised them to adhere closely at all times to their scout law, which would enable them to create a good opinion of the movement. At the conclusion of the service Scoutmaster Macfarland administered the scouts' oath to several new recruits. The Provincial Commissioner (Mr H. Stebbing) was present at the parade, and subsequently briefly addressed the scouts. The district committee held their monthly meeting at the V.M.C.A. Rooms on Saturday evening hist, when it was decided that in future, examinations for special badges, such as ambulance, signalling, pioneering, electricians, etc.. shall be conducted under the auspices of the several directors of instruction, and that the examining officer's certihcates shall be attached to all applications for badges. Scout Keys, who was for two years in the Bombay (India) Scouts, has joined St. Aiban's. Scoutmaster Prictor, of the Johannesburg sconts. is at present on a holiday visit to friends in this province He will go into camp with the Waikato troops for Christmas. The Takapuua Troop (Scout—aster Prosser) are going into camp at Castor Bay for a fortnight, commencing on January 4. About 2D members are expected in camp, and a number of proficiency exams are to be gone through. Any other troops are invited to come out for a day. Boats are to be taken to camp to practise seamanship and sea scouting. On Monday eveuin" club drill and night scouting will take place. I As a preliminary to the 7th. a very ex- . citing skirmish took place on Saturday . before last at One-tree Dill. The Eden , and P. Aldan's Troops defended the bill against the St. Barnabas' and St. Aiban's j Troops. By a banking movement the . -Greens led their aUack from the eastern j side, having successfully dodged the St. . Aiad-an's Troop, while the Browns attackeei . from the west at the same time. The St. , Barnabas' Troop was working in entirely . n -familiar ground, but it managed to get t fairly close to the foot of the bill without being se»en. A final charge carried all before it, and the day ended in victory for ; the Greens and Browns. After a series of interruptions, the St Barnabas* Trejop ' has settled down to regular work again. The first officially registered boats' crews are the No. 1 and 2 of the ship's * company Endeavour, Napier; Boy Scoutmaster. Mr J. H. Fairbrother. recommended by Chief Scoutmaster M. Lovell, of tlic Napier battalion. Mr Lovell has gathere' * around him a splendid battalion "of boy * and offi--ers. Nsipier now forms one Boy ? Scout district and the Spit another, a-; re- - commended by the Dominion Chief Scout c when he visited that city in May last.