SCOUT NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 17085, 2 July 1919, Page 6

SCOUT NOTES

[By Kiwi.] dll communications to be addressed to “ Kiwi,” ‘ Star' Office, before 5 p.m. Monday. Peace! It is> with a great sigh of relief that we write that word. After practically five years of unrest, anguish, and worry, sacrifice and prayer, comes tho nows—as wo knew all along it would come—that the cause of right and of justice has triumphed, and that peace has been restored. Sacrifices of time, noms, and friends hare boon made ; but all was done cheerfully in the cause of Right. In tho Homeland the Scouts did a great and 1 noble work, and their deeds wUi bo handed down in history. In this far distant field of our glorious Empire our Scouts did not have such a great opportunity of service; nevertheless, what their hands found to do they did it well, and many a Stout wear's the badge of honor given to all Scouts who did so many hours’ work during tho first year of the war. Many of our Scouts, when tho cloud first broke, their hearts loyal to the core, said they wished they could go. Many of them went—some, alba 1 never to return. They have been called “home,” and are now at peace. But, although wo are now at peace with other notions, there is still tho battlo of life to bo fought, and every Scoui, be ho toll or short, young or old, has got to do his share of the fighting. Ho has has 10 laws to help him; but, far better still the Master Scout is at hand to guide. Then when the fight is won we may enter into that peace which passeth all understanding. A meeting of tho executive was held on Tuesday evening, and well attended. Several matters of importance were dealt with. Scoutmaster Nicol having resigned from -the position of badge secretary, a gentleman outside the movement, but in sympathy with it, lias accepted tho position. Several applications have been received for examination for proficiency badges, far which no examiner's had boon appointed, this being due to the fact that the movement is growing, and in a number of cases the lads are advancing in the movement. Several gentlemen are to _be approached during the week with a view* to filling tho vacancies and it is hoped to have full list of examiners before the end of July. It was resolved to ask the Girl Peace "Scouts to join in the church, parade on tho Sunday following peace celebrations. It is very rarely that a scoutmaster hriirs what good turns any • member or members of his troop perform. _ A truehearted boy will never mention it. lb is therefore very encouraging to an officer to receive a letter expressing thanks mid good success to the movement for a good turn given to someone. Such a letter was 'received this week. During the past week four lads saw a lady shovelling away tho enow off her footpath. They offered to do tire work, borrowed shovels, and soon made a clean land tidy job. Further, they offered to return the following day, in tho event of a furthest fall. The lady, being inpoor health, thoroNgldy appreciated this kindly act. “ A Scout promises to try and do a good turn each day.” A silk Union Jack is boing presented to tho district for,competition, and will be held by the troop gaining the highest 'aggregate marks in the various district competitions to bo held during this year. Next year the Dominion competitions will also count. It is hoped that tho Hag will be available for tho thanksgiving church parade on tho Sunday following tho peace celebrations, when it will bo consecrated. Mornington (the D.C.’s Own) Troop had a very good muster on Saturday night. Second class work included ambulance and signalling. For first class the subjects studied were signalling for speed, measurements, and pressure points. The first class Scouts had a good innings with the Morse flags, committing to memory the dots and dashes of the various letters, and later in the evening were shown and practised the square lashing. The D.C. gave a short illustrated lecturotte on two ways of finding out the height of a tree. Tho discipline being of a high standard, the last *2O minutes were given over to tho Scouts game of “ Simon says.” One lad was introduced and admitted to tho troop. Several entries were handed in for examination in proficiency badges. The cold weather accounted for the small muster of tho Dunedin West Central Troop on Thursday evening. A pleasant hour was spent in games. The n.c.o.s conference on Saturday next should bo a very interesting one. Major Fleming has promised to give a paper on ‘How to Qualify for the Pathfinder’s Badge.’ Tho South Dunedin Y.M.C.A. Troop paraded on Wednesday night. Mr Crisp continued his talk to the boys, and is proving a valuable asset to the troop. Mr Drew was in charge, and conducted the tenderfoot and several class works, Several boys passed tho tenderfoot tests, and wore transferred to the second class, patrols. The attendance was 26. Acting Leader Lumb has been given the nucleus of another patrol, and the boys are working to bring it to full strength. Friday night was the coldest meeting night experienced this year, but the First Roslyn Troop had a good muster. A complete change in the syllabus was made, the lads being kept warm by various games, drill, and boxing. A very keen competition has been hold during the last two mouths, and the following have been declared the winners, having chained most marks for neatness of uniform and full equipment: —Corporal D. Robins, Scouts Reggie ATCardy and J. Mitchell. A handsome trophy has been promised for the boy who is tho best dressed during the next three months. Tho following badges have been qualified for and presented: Second class : Sergeant Myers, In'. B. Dawson, Scouts j. Mitchell, D. Sinclair*, M. Walker, R. Park. Buttonhole badge: Leader F. Guthbort. Gardeners: A.S.M. Smith, Sergeant Stewart. Missioners, cooks, gardener, handyman i Corporal L. Smith. Naturalist: Leader H. Beath (five years’ star). The First Roslyn Bull-pups took quite a pride in themselves on Friday night, when they were fitted out with their smart glengarry caps for tho first time, (the official hoad-dross of the Dominion Bull-pups). Games and boxing wore indulged in. Bull-pup A. Macdonald won the dress competition far the pack. Another competition is to be held during the next three months. A prize has Leon offered. Second class badges have been presented to Leaders N. Boyd, A. Ramage, and Bull-pup A. M ‘Donald. TO CORRESPONDENTS. “T.-S.”—lt is not necessary to own a bicycle to gain the cyclist badge. In the handbook of instructions to examiners it reads thus : Must sign a certificate tliat he owns a bicycle in good working order, which he is willing to use in the King’s service if called upon in case of emergency ; or that he can have tho use of one at any time, etc. If he ceases to own a bicycle, and cannot be sure of having the use of one at any time, a Scout having a cyclist badge should return it. This badge must be passed annually.