DOMINION SCOUTS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14029, 28 April 1911, Page 2

DOMINION SCOUTS.

(By VIGILAJfT.)

To set the Cause abo-ra TenoTra, To love the pace beyond the prize. To honour, while you strike him down, The foe that comes with {earless eye»; To count the life of battle good, And dear the land that pave vow birth, And dearer yet the brotherhood" That binds the brave of all tho earth. —Newbolt.

His Excellency Lord Islington, ha; been pleased to grant the Silver Cro ; .s and the certificate for gallantry to Scout James Rennie. of Westpoit. who saved a companion from drowning in the Orawiiiti last month. His Excellency says the lad showed much com-mon-sense, as well as bravery, and says he has well-earned the cross and certificate. The Colonel has reported the granting of the distinction to Commissioner Brercton, and will advise him further when his Excellency sends the medal.

Upon making further enquiries, I lind that the boy Lord, of Onehunga, who was referred to by Mr Coldwater, of Otahuliu, has left the .Scout?, along with all the older boys, ami have, witn their late scoutmaster, formed a corps of the Territorials at Onehunga. It appears that scout matters are not to the scoutmaster's liking, so lie has resigned, and taken all the older boys with him, I.ord among the others. There is certainly some one to blame for lord's bin re act not being; reported to the Chief Scout, but whether that was the fault of the scoutmaster or the District Office, Auckland, there i--> now no need to enquire, as every effort will be made to obtain for the boy full credit lor his brave acts. I hear that Lord distinguished himself on two previous occasions. The first time he had his toes crushed, the second lie rescued a child from between the spokes of a wheel. When he saved Mr Cokhvatcr's child on tho last occasion, the gratified father offered him a reward, but the boy positively refused to accept anything for doing his duty. Mr Cold water, however, sent a gold watch, suitably engraved, to the place where the boy worked, tho donor withholding his name, in case tho boy would not accept it. This is not an isolated case. There aro many scouts who do not wish their good turns' to be paraded before the public. Another case in point is that of Leader Da vies, of the Thames Battalion, who, at great personal risk, rescued a bo\ from drowning. It was some three weeks after the event before it was accidentally found out by Major Nowton, and ever since tho boy has shown the greatest diffidence when spoken to on the subject. Colonel Cossgrove reports that, this lad has been awarded the Tatnm Medal for 1910. There were only three applicants for it. but none of them showed as much self-abnega-tion as Davis. It is to be regretted that so few applications were sent in for this handsome gold medal. Whenever a deed of gallantry enacted in a spirit of chivalry is performed, this year, it should bo reported to the Provincial Commissioner at once and a claim made for the 1911 medal. Though several of such acts have been performed this year, not one. application by a scoutmaster has been made.

There is trouble among the Auckland scoutmasters, several of whom, it is reported are about to resign. This is much to bo deplored, as it seems to indicate a want of that true spirit of chivalry which should mark all relations between them. One of these, a late arrival from the Old Country, has a poor' opinion of our New Zealand boy. He certainly gives him credit for keenness, cleverness, "and a desire to play the game for a time, but ho says, he lacks the bulldog "stick to it" trait of his English brother, and that he has no idea of discipline, except that it is a degrading thing, and that as he cannot stand still for a few moments when called to attention, it seems hardly worth while trying to teach him anything further. This is a rather heavy indictment against our NewZealand hoy. Boys, is this true of you ? If no, turn over a new leaf at once. Stick by your scoutmasters, by your Scouts' promise, and by your Scout Law. Let nothing daunt you. Don't "chuck" it at the first little difficulty you encounter. Remember that difficulties arc only made to be overcome, and if you funk them, you show your weakness, and verify the Auckland scoutmaster's charge against you. GIRL PEACE SCOUTS. Mrs Arundel, of Mosgiel, has formed a troop of G.P.tS. there, and had had the scheme on trial for three months. I She reports that after a trial of that time she is quite satisfied that the scheme is an excellent one, and that it is growing daily in public esteem. Tho daily good turns performed by the girls has "not only caused those who objected to the movement at first to chango their mind about it, but it has had its effect also upon the girls themselves. They take a pleasure in helping others, be thCy their mothers, or be they strangers. The girls have met in Mrs ArundeF s home once a week during tho past few months for lessons in ambulance, making garments for the Karitane Babies' Home, and for the orphanages. They paid two visits to tho Baby Home for instruction in infant management, which the girls have takeif a great interest in. They have combined and paid yearly subscriptions of os to the Society for the Health of Women and Children, and are pledged to go to the home four times a year at least for practical instruction in the fire essentials in life, air, bathing, clothing, diet and exercise. Miss Hendry, the Scoutmistress, takes them out on Saturday afternoons for signalling, botany, knot-tying, etc. They are now ready for their second class tests, and will be examined shortly. Three leaders, a signalling mistress, a corporal and three G.P.S., of the Lmdusrarno Troon. Tasmania, have passed their first class tests, thus beating their New Zealand sisters very badly. Tho Tnsmanian Council has adopted a scheme of calling the troop after the "name of some noted nurse; the girls mentioned are returned as members of the Florence Nightingale Brigade of G.P.S. Colonel lias suggested that Tasmania should follow the scheme in the Text Book, i.e., call tho patrol after the name of a native bird, and the troop after the name of the district in which the troop has ita headquarters. Tasmania will give tho Dominion a good lead if the girls hero do not wake up soon. Miss C. A. L. Lane, of the "Daily News." Dcs Moines, lowa, U.S. of America, has requested Colonel Cossgrove to give her firm permission to reproduce his scheme, making such alterations a s will be needed to meet local wants, for an organisation of Girl Scouts of America, giving him lull credit for same. She says in her letter to the colonel: —"I am asking these questions in this form, because I am not just sure what you have. I have already organised the Girl Scouts of America, and wish to co-operate with you. using everything I can of your work if this is agreeable. If yon can send mc any information, or literature, in regard to the work, and are willing that 1 should use your manual, I shall be pleased to advertise the matter, and I shall be glad to assist y o u with all methods at my command. The time seems to be ripe in America for this work, and the interest with which my girls arc taking hold of the work, show' mc that it is a wise thing to push i* now.'-'