SCOUTCRAFT

Evening Star, Issue 16033, 9 February 1916, Page 3

SCOUTCRAFT

[By Lbadsk.] The District Commander has a word — K.O.P.A. All troops are meeting again this week, and I take this opportunity of wishing everyone a happy and prosperous year’s work. It is but natural that some Scouts will find some of the scout laws hard to keep. Some officers will perhaps have difficulties to contend with, but to one and all I. would advise them to take as their motto the four letters at the heading of this paragraph to keep smiling and to “Keep On Pegging Away.” r I he scoutmasters of the Dunedin district have decided to hold a course of instruction, starting next Monday and for the next five Mondays. The idea is to refresh each officer and to gain a uniform system of work. The subjects to be dealt with are :—First week, drill and physical exercises; second and third, signalling; fourth and fifth, ambulance; sixth, pioneer; the last half-hour of each night being devoted to physical exercises.

The quarterly conference of officers was held on Monday last, when there was a very fair attendance. The subject under discussion was ‘A N.c.o.s Club and the Benefits Derived From It.’ The subject proved an interesting one, and it is most probable that all troops will try to run one. The subjects chosen for the next conference are : ‘ Results From Trial of N.c.o.s Club ’ and ‘ The Officers’ Training Classes,’

Lieutenant-colonel Cossgrove will visit Dunedin on a tour of inspection probably this month or the beginning of next, A brigade parade will most likely be called for the purpose of meeting the colonel upon his arrival.

Tho Balclntha Troop made a fresh start last week, when there was a full muster. Tliis troop mean business, and are aiming at nothing less than the King’s Standard. They will have to do exceedingly well to wrest it from the present holders, but if keenness is anything Scoutmaster Rasmussen will leave no stone unturned to. get his troop there. Unfortunately this troop are losing the services of Assistant Scoutmaster Blajkie, who is leaving for Crookston. but as there is no troop there we trust he will be the means of starting one. Mr D. Nelson has been appointed to succeed Mr Blaikie. A new year and a very eventful vear lias begun, and one in which the Boy Scout will have numerous opportunities of service. In such a time in which wo live the work of the Scout is a. very important one. 1 once saw a cartoon of a man hampered hy his new year’s resolutions, which hy the middle of the vear had become huge weights about his 'feet. Do not let us weary in well-doing. Make this year the most successful one the movement has seen in Dunedin. If every Scout does lus share this will be the result : a big and useful existence. A word to the ps®i ents : The officers thank those who have helped by their_ kindly interest; there is nothing like a, little live interest to cheer and encourage officers in their sometimes uphill fight for tho boys. Officers, one and all, have made up their minds to make this year something “ extra special,” and have already made a move in the right direction by forming a training class. Tho Green Island Troop held -a very successful camp at Waitati from January 3 to 10. Tho camp was under the charge of Scoutmaster G. E. Tapp, assisted bv Scoutmaster Gow (Anderson Bay) and Sergeant Rolfe (West-Central). The weather was very wet at the beginning of the week, but towards the end we had a few line days. The work consisted of ambulance, signalling, distance judging, pioneer work, bridge building, and second class badge work. Various methods of camp cooking were also practised, all proving very successful. A bridge was built over a stream. A bushman’s hut or shelter and fireplace were also made, and these were highly praised by the D.C. when he inspected the camp. We held a mock court trial. District Commander Holderness, who spent the week-end at the camp, acted as judge. The Scouts filled the places of crown prosecutor, counsel for defence, clerk of court, etc. The discipline during the whole of the time was splendid. Tho thanks of the above troops are due to Mr A. Sime, the owner of the ground on which the camn was pitched. Owing to the good discipline of the Scouts while in camp this ground may be had by any troop in Dunedin as a camping-ground ‘as long as they keep up the good name of our movement.

Tho Ist Roslyn Troop met on Friday last for the first parade this year. The evening was spent chiefly in reorganising the patrols; several old Scouts have rejoined, and those have been drafted into new patrols. Tho evening was concluded with a few games. The services of an assistant scoutmaster have been secured, and this augurs well for a successful year.