SCOUT NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20523, 16 April 1932, Page 5

SCOUT NOTES.

[exclusive to the press.] [By The Metbopoiitan Commissioneb I DISTRICT COMMITTEE. A very necessary part of the organisation is that of the District Committee, which enables a better system of control and co-operation to be maintained throughout the district. A move in this direction has been made by Commissioner Crampton in the No. 4 District, and the initial meeting of his committee will be held on Tuesday, April 19th, at 8 p.m., in the Metropolitan Office. All future meetings, however, are to be held in a central place in the district itself,-where regular monthly meetings will be arranged. The committee will consist, of one representative from each group committee, elected by the group, and three others nominated by the Commissioner to represent Bovers, Scouts, and Cubs. Examinations and Badges. The badge secretary reports that the following Scouts have passed the estimation test for the first class examination:—W. Heard and E. Clarke (St. Mark's, Opawa), B. Bose (Biccarton), M. Sewell, J. Lucas, A. Genet, and L Biggs (Addington). The following Scouts have passed the examination for the Gardener's Badge: —M. Bitchie (Linwood) and B. Cleary (Boys' High School). M. Anderson, J. Grubb, B. Newman, A. Dini, and C. Cardwell have qualified for the Fireman's Badge, and repassings are -as follows:—V. Pollard, H. Lorimer, M. Forrest, and C. Bradwell (Trinity). i Training Committee. A meeting of the training committee was held on April 7th and was attended by Commissioners Crampton and Furby, D.S.M. Hamilton and G.S.M. Dyer. The question of the Camping Challenge Cup, which was presented by the Canterbury Officers' Club, and which has been held for some years by St. Mark's, Opawa, was considered. It was resolved that it should be returned to Metropolitan Headquarters. The question of carrying on the camping competition in future years will be dealt with by the executive committee at its next meeting. It was resolved that outdoor activities and national games be encouraged with a view to bringing out a representative Scout team to compete with outsido teams in public, thus giving more prominence to the movement in" this direction. It was recommended that districts should encourage week-end hiking and first class work under their own arrangements. It was resolved that the committee should compile a set of notes for all first class work, and that district courses should be run under their own arrangements. This series of notes on first class work was now being prepared, and would be of great value in assisting Scouters to train their troops. The- underlying idea was that training should not only be by groups but also by districts. This had not hitherto been carried out, but now that there was a training committee who were organising, it was hoped

that this winter regular district courses for Scouters would be arranged for. Wood Badge Training. A Gilwell correspondence course, known as the Home Study Coarse, 'will be conducted daring the coming winter months for Scouters, Cubbers, and Bovers. Each paper is divided into three parts, to be completed and forwarded to "The Beader" as follows: Study No. 1, May 22nd, 1932; Study No. 2, July 22nd, 1932; Study No. 3, Sepi tember 22nd, 1932. [ Candidates may apply direct to Do- ; minion Headquarters, Box 457, Christchurch, for papers and instructions, or to Metropolitan Headquarters. In order to assist in keeping the Dominica records complete, t each applicant should state rank, unit, age, and postal address. Upon receipt of applications the papers, together with instructions, will be forwarded to applicants. "Where "study" circles are held the current year's papers are not to be. used.