SCOUTCRAFT

Evening Star, Issue 16663, 20 February 1918, Page 2

SCOUTCRAFT

[By Leadee.] Reports of meetings and parades, items of interest, or questions should be addressed to "Leader," c/o Y.M.C.A., Dunedin, before S.SO on Monday of each week. Last Friday evening, tho Ist Roslyn Troop met in their club rooms. Before being taken into tho hall the Scouts were put through drill, after which they were split up into two squads. One carried on with signalling, while the other put in some good work in amibulance. Three or four of the new boys were coached up in their tenderfoot's test, and promise well to be good Scouts. During the evening the District Commander (Sir Cecil Moon) paid a visit to tihe troop. He inspected the signalling squad, and expressed his satisfaction at tire way in which the Scouts had improved since his last inspection. He was also very pleased with the club room. The library was overhauled, and is now almost ready for circulation. The following from the 'Scout' illustrates the value of being able to swim : "Lord Stamfordham, tho Private Secretory o f the King, gave away the prizes at the School of Hanwell the other day. In the course of his address to the scholars, he told them how' in the last battle in Flanders our men were cut off by a river 'from getting back to the main body, and all the .bridges had been showed by tho main body, so that none of them were left, and our men were completely cut off. But a good number of them managed to swim across with messages to the main force to tell them where they were and where to direct their fire. It was only thanks to their being able to swim that they were able to do this. What a lot of them must have wished at that moment that they had learned swimming while they were boys and had the chance!" At this same prizegiving a prize was awarded to the most manly boy in übe school, and I am pleased to say that it was won by a Scout, Albert Cox. With the splendid facilities afforded them, Dunedin Scouts should not bo backward in swimming. They can prepare themselves for any emergency that may arise in the way of life-saving. It has come to my notice that a ranawsv ■horse was caught by some Dunedin Scouts about a fortnight ago. The horse, which was galloping about tho streets of Roslyn was caught "by three Ist Roslyn Troop Scouts, who improvised a halter out of their services and brought the wanderer back to his paddock. This is one of the small things that count, and I hope that all Scouts will keep their eyes open, and see if they can't do a "good turn" like this whenever the opportunity offers. At Home the Scouts are doing grot things in the way cf coast-watchinc O.ie patrol of sea Scouts has kept watch and delivered daily reports to Headquarters for over 1,100 days. They have had to S o miles over rough country, through gales, and snow to bring in their repeats? and yet they have not missed one day. The oliicers oi the Royal Navy appreciate this work, a-nd have selected a very large number of these Scouts for duty with the Fleet, as they know a Scout can bo trusted and re>ied upon. _ On Tuesday night last the Y.M.C.A Troops Held their tirst parade for the- year. On the whole there was a very good attendance, as nearly all the Scouts of last year came back. Their scoutmaster, Mr Nicol, in the course of a few remarks, mentioned that he would like every boy, if possible, to bring in at least one now member, as the Wellington Troop started two years ago with 3C Scouts and has now increased to ISO. During the ev&iiing tho boys who have not gained their tenderfoot lodges were put through the examination oy their leaders, and this also applied to those who have not .already <?Kt their 2nd class badgc-s, the instruction" boino- IUK I»r the sergeants. At 8.30 p.m. the troop dismissed, although a small squad staved for instruction in ambulance.