SCOUTCRAFT

Evening Star, Issue 15905, 10 September 1915, Page 7

SCOUTCRAFT

[By Leadeb.] « [Reports of meetings and parades, itemi of interest, or questions should be addressed to "Leader," c/o Y.M.C.A., Dunedin, before 5.50 on Monday of each week.} ■ 'The parade at the hall last Saturday Tvaa well attended bv the Mornington Scoute. Some good work was done! TV band, undei- Mr Strong and Mr Watt-, are progressing favorably. The buglers practised new and old tunes, including the General Salute.' The C.S.M. presented two second class badges. These are the new badges. The Green Island Troops he'd their usual parades last night, each troop doing some very good work in the way of ambulance, signalling, physical exercises, and map drawing and reading. 'II io Acting District Obmm-asider reported that he visited the Third and Fourth Troop's of the Dunedin West-Cen-tral Battalion en Thursday of last week. The attendance was good, but a number qt too Scouts were a.bsent on holidays. After inspecting tho patrols, ho asked to see •tho Scouts at work, and the Chief Scoutmaster allotted a different' piece of work to each patrol. The work was done under the direction of the paurol loaders, and Mr Holdcruess etatcs that he was verv well pleased with both the quality of the work and the discipline' of the bovs. He was especially pleased with the' ambulance work. After the parade h-s addressed the Scouts, urging tiheni to be loyal to their officers, who were training them to become useful citizens. Later he snake to the n.C.o.s, and said that if they would have the. Scouts under their charge obey their commands, they must' learn to obey this officers who were over them. He was well satisfied with all that he hud seen, and wished the officers continued success. The thud lecture i'cr iion-commissioned officers was hold last weak, when about 70 n.c.o.s availed themselves of the opportunity offered of gaining some very ussfal information in regard to pioneer work. The address, which was delivered bv Captain Sandle, Commissioner for Otago. dealt with 'Pioneering,' and was both lu.struclive and interesting. Bridgebuildirag, hut-building, and the' construction of rafts, besides the art- of finding one's way without tho aid of a compass were all dealt with by the. lecturer, and some valuable hints in regard to food weie given. A number of models made the address of more- than usual interest. At the conclusion of the lecturer's address a hearty vote of thanks was accorded him bv his hearers. The members of the Dunedin West-Cen-tral Battalion assembled at their usual mooting places bust week, and the discipline was all that could be desired. The Third and Fourth Troops- were inspected by the Acting District Commander, who expreswd himself as pleased with all that he saw. Tho non-c-omniissicn-sd officers, to the number of 25, attended the lecture on Friday last, and all of the officers were present at the officers' conference on the same evening. This week the lirst-eh^s! instruction classes will commence. I understand that a doss on instruction for the firemen's ta-st, open to all n.e.0.5,: second cla~s and over, will be stated aran. early date. The mimes of all wishin'.to join this class must reach the district secretary before next Monday. The Scouts who entered* for Captain Sandle's prize are leminded that the competition will close this month. Scoutmasters Hayes and Gore have been appouited to the District Committee vice Scoutmasters Dredge and Stevens (resigned). The committee desire to place on record their hearty appreciation to our Commissioner for his able and interesting address on ' Pioneering.' t ( > .1. Miller fo-: procuring the hall for the lecture to be given in, and to the officers and n.e.o.s for their attendance and appreciative attention. It is to be hoped -U a result-many picnecr badges will lv won.