SCOUT NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 16990, 12 March 1919, Page 8

SCOUT NOTES

[By Kiwi.]

All communications to be addressed to "Kiwi," 'Star' Office, before 5 -p.m. Monday.

On Satirday afternoon the members of the Mornington No 1 Troop made a jou>--nev alona the path of progress. Arrived at" the old and well known parade pound over the hills, each Scout collected his firewood and built his fire m Scout fashion, being careful to build it where no damage could be done to grass or three. Very soon some 13 columns of smokeascended, each fire having been lit wrMi the specified number of matches. Shortly afterwards the fragrant smell of frizzling chops greeted the nostrils—tho first testtowards the second class badge had oegtin. •Chops and potatoes having been well cooked and disposed of. four members were then passed in the signalling test. Scout games were entered into, with zest, and a splendid spirit of brotherhood was shown throughout. At 6.30 tho members journeyed back to Mornfngton, where the Scouts 1 pace —one mile in 12 minutes. alternately runnincr and walking 50 paceswas attempted, but they were too fast by two minutes., and the test will have to bo gone through again. On Tuesday evening" a splendid muster paraded. Four members passed Hie T.F. test, and second class tests were also continued. The last quarter of the evening was devoted to instruction in boxing, undev the watchful eye of the instructor. First and second prizes have been offered by parents for a troop competition. Tho subject decided on is the pathfinder's badge, to be competed for abouc the end of June. The St. Kilda Methodist Troop paraded on Monday, the 3rd. Tho Scouts enjoyed a., visit from C.S.M. Clarke, of Christchurch, who gave an example of how he ran his own troop. Tt was decided to hold future meetings on Saturday evenings, and accordingly a meeting was held last Saturday," when second class work was shown. * On Sunday a church parade was held, the Y.M.C.A. .Troop joining with them. The Anderson Bay Troop held their first parade for the year"on Friday evening. A visit was received from the district com rr.ander, who spoke to the Scouts on the •deals of our movement. He also rompl - mented the leader on the splendid manner in which he had explained the work to the patrol. The Dunedin West Central Troop paraded as usual on Friday evening. Bandaging and semaphore "signalling occupied most of the evening, and Kim's game ended a very successful evening. The boys are keener, and making steady, progress to the troop's old-time efficiency. The Scouts of the Dnnedin North Troop liad their monthly games night on Thursday last. The firs'* item required every Scout to entertain the troop either by song, dance, recitation, or Scout work; some very good items were given. The patrol leaders and corporals wore then each given a separate subjert, on which they had to speak for five minutes. Corporal Breeze made a very creditable speech, and gave several suggestions for evening and Saturday parades. On Saturday t-hs troop marched to Stony Hill, where cooking and signalling occupied tho early part of the afternoon A patrol of six Scouts successfully raided the camp of the Y.M.C.A. 'Scouts, capturing tho troop flag. The flag was hidden, but eventually recaptured. The Roslvn boys welcomed tack to the troop an old Scout on Friday night,- and admitted, thres other new boys. A i letter was read ficm Scoutmaster Garden, at present on active service. Scoutmaster W. H. Stephens is arriving beck by tho s.s. Athenic. The team for the Bristol signalling challenge shield competition were picked. The rest of the evening was devoted to conventional signs, ambulance, signalling, and knot-tying. The weekly parade of the First Dunedin Troop {Roslyn) Girl Peace Scouts was held on Friday. There was a good muster, the Junior Troop being very enthusiastic. Ambulance occupied most of the time, some of the work being revised. The Junior Troup were instructed in their particular branch, and are making good progress. On Saturday the troop paraded at St. Clair. The Second Beach was first visited, where numerous specimens of seaweed, etc., were obtained. Signalling from above the baths to girls down on the beach caused much laughter, because the high wind threatened to blow the girls off their promontory, so, " discretion being tho better part of valor," they retreated in good order. The girls afterw-ards walked to St. Kilcja, after spending a most enjoyable afternoon.

ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES. "Sergeant C."—(1) The senior troop in Dunedin is the First Roslyn. They have been longer in existence than anv other troopin this district. (2) The gaining of proficiency badges does not effect the seniority of any troop in this district. Proficiency badges are a means to enable a Scout to fulfil Scout Law No. 3. However, should a troop in this district succeed in winning the "King's Standard," courtesy demands that that troop should take first place in all district parades until such time that it loses it. (3) The order of Dunedin troops in a district parade is as follows: First Roslyn, Green Island, Mornington, Y.M.C.A., Dunedin West-Central, Dunedin. North (originally part of the D.W.C.). St. John's. St. Clair Presbyterian, Anderson Bay, Woodhaugh, Ravensbourne, St. Kilda Methodist, St. Stephen's, St, Martin's.-. . "S.M.R."—Service stars count for continuous service only. A Scout leaving a troop breaks his service, and if he rejoins after the lapse of a year or two he cannot count the time first spent in the troop. On the other hand, should a Scout transfer from one troop to another, the whole lof his time counts, being unbroken son-ice as a Scout, although spent in two troops.