DOMINION BOY SCOUTS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13651, 7 February 1910, Page 3

DOMINION BOY SCOUTS.

(Br "Look Oct.")

How many of my Boy Scout 'readers saw the cable message last week giving another instance of good work by Scouts in rendering first-aid? It's a great thing to know what's going on m the world: it helps you to "be prepared" with information that may be very helpful to somebody else. So read thc newspaper, with an alert eye on the news they give. Did you 6ee Friday's cable about the terrible mining accident in Mexico? Sixty-eight men killed, and fifty more injured—all because a selfish man would have his cigarette! What does the Chief Scout say the boy who smokes looks like? Look up jour "Scouting for Boys."

I have promised to answer a query concerning the place of honour given to patrols on parade. The best reply is given in the regulations contained in the booklet scheme of organisation for New Zealand, got out by Major Cossgrove. Here they are: — Suggested Method of Classification of Patrols by Seniority of Merit. Tho patrol having seniority by merit shall take the leading place on parades, and shall be given preference in selecting patrols for camps and other functions.

Such seniority shall be decided by merit, and a junior patrol may gain seniority over others by excellence in the following matters, marks being awarded by tho Inspector:— Attendance at Parades and Instruction Classes. —The failure of a boy to attend on more than two successive meetings (unless with good reason) shall result in the deduction of one mark from each member of tho patrol for each subsequent non-attendance. Number of first and second-class badges possessed by the patrol or tr<-op.—teach first-cfass to count five five marks and each second-class badge to count three marks.

Number of honours badges held by the patrol or troop. All honours badges to count evenly, i.e., ten marks each. General Conduct.—Marks will be deducted from the total of a patrol as follows: —Unruly conduct in public of two or more members, five marks. Offensive or bad language in public, ten marks. Lack of courtesy to Scoutmasters, Instructors, Inspectors, other patrols, or the general public, ten marks.

Marks will be gained by the whole patrol as follows:—Cleanliness and general good management and neatness in camp, up to ten marks. Neatness and general smartness on parade, up to six marks.

Seniority will he calculated by the average marks per head in each patrol. "Where two patrols have an equal average of marks seniority will be according to date of registration. A special badge and the title of North Island or South Island "Wolf" may be given each year by the Dominion Executive to one boy in each Island for very special distinction in scouting. The senior patrol by merit shall lead at all ceremonial parados of the troop, battaliqn, or urigade, and its Battalion Sergeant-major shall carry the Union Jack.

The Linwood troop has lately been going strong, and has now a total of 45 boys, nine being sworn in on Friday evening. Some important changes were also made. The present sergeant has been appointed sergeant-major, and tho two senior leaders made sergeants, their corporals taking their places, and the senior scouts their places. Two new patrols were also formed, which now makes six patrols. Scoutmaster Foster has now been appointed, Chief Scoutmaster, and will probably have an assistant by next Friday. The first church narade of this troop took place yesterday.