BOY SCOUTS.

Evening Star, Issue 14635, 3 August 1911, Page 4

BOY SCOUTS.

[By Thacker.] [“Tracker” trill be. •pleased to receive communications from scoutmasters or , scouts or anyone interested in the movement. Contributions must reach I his office not later than midday on Monday.] The North Dunedin troop held their weekly parade in tho Albany Street School on Friday evening. Some 50 scouts, under Scoutmasters Carr and Browne, were present. During the evening tho senior lads were instructed in ambulance work in preparation for their ambulance badges. The junior boys are working hard for their second class badges. Several new boys were on parade, and it is expected to increase the number to 60. The troop moot even' Friday evening m the Albany Street School, when new boys will be enrolled. Scoutmaster Gibson, who is at present in Gore, has got the troop in hand again. 11 had fallen olf for tho want of an officer. He informs me that about 25 scouts were on parade last week, and they hope to double, that number very shortly. Well done, Gore! ' Tho North-east Valley troop mot on Tuesday evening in the St. Martin's Church Hall, when signalling, knotting, and ambulance work was practised.

The weekly meeting of tho St. Kilda troop was hold on Wednesday evening. The Town Hall being engaged, tho hoys were generously granted the use of the Methodist HalTfor the evening. This unfortunate change of address prevented the district commander from examining the troop for the second class tests, as was intended. The evening, however, was profitably spent in practising knotting, signalling. and ambulance work. The evening concluded witli a. "camp fire yarn” ou Australian cities. The St. Kilda .Scouts’ Band met at tlm close of the troop meeting, and some useful practice was accomplished. The, Salvation Army troop held their weekly parade at the Oily Barracks, Dowling street, on Wednesday night. The troop was instructed in ambulance, knottying, and signalling. The scouts in this troop arc showing a decided improvement, and will he hard to beat for keenness and discipline. The scoutmaster will be pleased to meet lads who are desirous of joining this troop any Wednesday night at the (tity Barracks, Dowling street.

The following is an extract from • The Seoul’:—"How frequently touches of human nature crop up in letters from you follows. Often it, is some outspoken word of criticism Unit gives ns encouragement and inspiration. Often, too, there is some little pathetic appeal for advice. And sometimes wc detect a sign of those weaknesses which tind a. place in every character. It is one such weakness which is revealed in a letter from ‘Harry.’ He tells ns that a few weeks back ho forgave a fellow freely for some offence given. Since then the forgiven one has offended again. ‘And now,’ says ‘Harry,’ ‘I jolly well feel like taking hack the pardon I gave him.’ Now, listen. There can be no talk of taking hack forgiveness when it has been granted. Forgiveness means a complete wiping away of the offence—yon will never want to think of it again, still less speak of it. It is not easy, this, but it is one of the difficult things that we have got to learn to do. Try hard to keep a right idea of forgiveness in mind, and then act tip to it. Yon will never suiter, in the long run. if other people abuse your pardon. On the other band, if you get into the way of taking back forgiveness you will be looked upon as one who goes back upon his word. That means your honor will not be trusted. The whole idea of Christianity is founded on forgiveness, and men and women can only get. happiness out of life and out of their faith because they know that forgiveness means an utter wiping out of the pad. Unless wo could all know this the world would be a black and hopeless one.'’ 'I no Pioneer Troops axe- striving hard for the honor of having the first King's Scout in the district, and the Scouts are as keen as mustard on their work. Sergeant .Mac Donald and Bugler Ball will shortly have their, “all round'’' cards. The Wednesday parades are well attended, ami the standard of efficiency reached is very .satisfactory. On Saturday last two Sci-in.-, were examined for second - class badges, these bringing the total number of second class Scouts in the troop up to about. 50, while the number of proficiency badges is steadily increasing. Lieutenant-colonel Cossgrovo has intimated tn Commander Jones that ho desires a. special effort to bo made for badges and general efficiency of battalions. During the past 10 days 22 Scouts have successfully passed their second class tests, while quite a largo number arc working up for first cht-s badges.