WITH THE SCOUTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 186, 6 August 1914, Page 8

WITH THE SCOUTS.

(By WATCHFUL.)

A district order states that all communications for the "With the Scouts" column iv the "Star" shall In future be addressed direct to "Watchful" at the Star Offlco. The practice of submitting the news to an officer for approval will be discontinued.

A district parade Is called for 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Grafton Bridge. A full muster of all troops is requested. The parade will be a short oue, but some skirmishing practice will probably he done.

A meeting of the Scoutmasters' Association will be- held at St. Matthew's Hall at 7.43 p.m. on Saturday next.

The Commissioner (Mr. It. S. Abel) paid a surprise visit to the St. Columba Troop on Tuesday night last. As this troop's hall was occupied by a political meeting, n lady in the district, who takes a keen Interest In the movement, invited the boys to her house for the mec-tlug. When the Commissioner arrived he found some 40 boys und their friends in possession of the lady's drawing room, enjoying a

•pound night." A most enjoyable evening was spent lv music and games. Before the Commissioner left he congratulated the troop upon having a lady friend who took such deep interest In them.

At the last meeting of the District Committee Mr. Gordon Dykes, the new district secretary, nnd Mr. 11. G. Fountain took their places for the first time on the committee. The District Commissioner congratulated Mr. Thorpe upon the effective manner In which he had organised the district executive. Mr. Abel also referred to the good work done by Mr. E. S. Henry during his lengthy term of oUlc-e as secretary. Later Mr. Henry was elected a member of the District Committee.

Scoutmaster G. Brookflcld, of the St Heller's Troop, sends the following interesting, report:—"On Sunday we held our monthly church parade. Some tenderfoots were to be sworn in, so 1 made a sort of double event of having a reunion of the old members of the troop and 4weartng-iu the recruits. The muster was a splendid oue, and the church parade was the largest ever held lv St. Heller's Bay. The iad# were sworn In after church. We are very fortunate in having two excellent Lulling Instructors iv the district, 'both of whom have volunteered to teach the scouts boxing. Mr. Percy is from. India, and held a championship there In his class for two years, lie lives at Kohlmarnma, and instructs ou Thursday evenings. He is very pleased with the progress of the boys. lie has also offered to instruct the boys in fencing and quurterstuff. Mr. Le Fcvre Is recen'ly from England, nnd has held championships there. The attendance of my troop is excellent, as also is the behaviour and general alertness of the hoys. The troop is growing steadily."

A census of all troops Is shortly to be taken. Scoutmasters in charge of units should see that their troops are up to full strength by commencing a recrultirnjK campaign where necessary. Many boys are walling to join, and a little talk would soon persuade them to become members of our organisation.

•It Is the headquarters' request that the following notices should be put-lisbcd:-----(1) A scoutmaster' shall not In future he supplied with badges fir troops and patrols unless the troop or patrol is i-»latcd or there Is no ecoutmastcr In charge. (2) Every district committee must appoint examiners for proficiency badges, and no e\a.':i!:>: any lake irere thar- six tests. The names of the examines must he sent to the Chief Commissioner for registration before they examine any boy. (3) Np scoutmaster may exuiuine any hoy !u hie own troop for any test except the tenderfoot and second class test. (4) As District Commander Cossgrov* and his scoutmasters at Palmerston North find they are unable to devote the necessary time to prepare a North leland scout rally there, It has been decided to grant permission to the. Dunedin Committee to hold a Dominion rn'lv on December 26, 27, 28. (5) The "llead-quai-ters Gazette" will be forwarded direct from London to those who paid their subscriptions to the" Chief Commissioner some tlni* ago. The Dominion supplement proposal tell through for w«ut of support.