DOMINION BOY SCOUTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 140, 10 December 1914, Page 2

DOMINION BOY SCOUTS

(By "Scoutmaster.")

A visitor to Wellington this week is Scoutmaster King, of Greytown. He has given some information in regard to his troops, which after a lapse of about three years have been reformed. They only recommenced work in. August last, but are now in- full swing and well established. The battalion consists of three troops, with three patrols in each troop. There are at present three commissioned officers attached-- Scoutmaster King, and Assistant Scoutmasters Stahton and Pike. The battalion has a good bugle band, consisting of five bugles, two side drums, and one bass drum. The officers anticipate taking the boys into camp some time in December, and hope to get through some good work. They are particularly fortunate in having a strong local committee, consisting of Mr, Davies (headmaster of the Greytown District High School, chairman), Mr. Goodsman, Mr. Jackson (also of the D.H.S. staff), Mr. Walder,Rev. A. Hopper, and Scoutmaster King. A short time ago the battalion held a "fancy dress" party, in aid of the Scout Funds, which resulted in a net profit of about £16. ( It is generally considered that the function was the largest of its kind yet held in the district. • . Camps. — Several troops purpose going into camp at the end of this month. The following have decided on the locations :— St. Thomas, Plimmerton ; Kel« burn, Wallaceville ; Roseneath, Muritai. Nearly all troops are hampered by a lack of tents, and would be glad to hear of any person who would be- willing to lend tents for a week or ten days at Christmas. The cadets guarantee to return all such tents in good order at the end of the camp. Any offers of tents should be addressed to the District Commander, Box 1496, G.P.O. Knotting and Splicing.— The competition for this will be held on Friday night. There are only two troops entering teams— Kelburn and Roseneath. ' English Scouts. —Recent copies of The Scout give some very interesting account* of the manner in which Boy I Scouts in the Mother Land are assisting the police and military in every possible way. The Scout uniform has been officially recognised by the Government, thus giving the Scouts all the rights and privileges of soldiers and policemen. In I many cases bridges and telegraph tfnes are being guarded by Territorial de* j tachments during the day and patrols of Scouts at night. Already several spies have been arrested through the energies of the Scouts. This is regarded as an irrefutable answer to the statement that Boy Scouts are of no practical Use, as ther,e is no doubt that without the I Scout traihing these boys would have been of very little use to the authorities.