BOYS’ BRIGADE NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22209, 11 December 1935, Page 8

BOYS’ BRIGADE NOTES

[By Chum.] OUR AIM. The advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among boys and the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, discipline, self-respect, and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness. A MYSTERY NIGHT. The “ mountain ” was the scene and centre of an “ attack ” by members of the Bth Auckland Company recently. An air of mystery surrounded the activities, and the “ modus operandi ” was known only to the officers. The fall-in was as usual, then two small advance parties, each under the care of an officer, left by car for the mountain. Tho remainder was divided into two sections, each appointing an observer to watch the mountain from the lawn in front of the church. Advance parties were equipped with signalling lamps, and soon the eager watch of the observers was rewarded by a series of dots from the summit of the hill. The observers interpreted the message sent as “ Advance to point A,” and immediately the two sections proceeds to a point a mile distant from the church. Thereafter one part approached the mountain from the north side and the other by way of a disused tram track on the east side. The operations were directed by Morse signals from the advance parties, who were located on opposite sides of the crater, and also with tho aid of runners, who established communication when it became impossible to use night signal lamps. The rearguard, having been guided, then advanced to the final goal—an old hut, where supper was served and a sing-song -finished a most successful evening. IN OTHER LANDS. A great number of 8.8. camps were held in Britain last summer, the largest being that of the Belfast Battalion at Ganaway, where a thousand were under canvas. In addition to all these camps, some companies ventured further afield to make contact with boys of other lands, and the uniform of the 8.8. was seen in Germany, Belgium, and Holland, while a party of the F.D.F. (the Danish B.B.) visited London. A 8.8. company is being formed in Amsterdam as the result of the keenness of a London messenger boy. The boy was detailed one day to take a Dutch gentleman round London. Being a Brigade Boy, he told the visitor about the 8.8., and so interested him that he called at the London headquarters, Abbey House, and later resolved to commence a company in his own church in Holland. CAMP ARRANGEMENTS. Elaborate preparations are being made for the safety and comfort or those who are going to ■ camp. The boys and officers will be housed in some 30 to 40 tents, while two large marquees will serve for gatherings and meals. The cookhouse and store will be wooden buildings, and there will be a well-stocked canteen. The huge commissariat will be dealt with by two professional cooks, and as only the best supplies are being stocked the meals should be exceptionally good. While the boys will be housed in bell tents with about eight boys to a tent, the officers will have square tents. Large ground sheets are being provided for each tent, and sufficient straw for the palliasses. The actual camp period is from Boxing Day to January 3. Campers from Dunedin will leave the central station by train in the morning for Balclutha. From there they will take train to Romahapa, and then be conveyed direct from there to the camp site by means of a bus. There they will b© welcomed by an inviting meal and the bonnie faces of the Southland contingent. THE KITBAG. The following is submitted as a complete list of all the requirements for 10 days in camp. Those who have been to camp before will probably find there is much they can dispense with. If at all possible, articles should be packed in the standard military kitbig. Suit cases do not as a rule benefit by a stay in camp:—Three blankets, pyjamas, two towels, soap, brush and comb, toothbrush, sun hat, bathing suit, Bible, knife, fork, spoons, change of socks, gym. shoes, strong boots, two plates and mug (unbreakable), torch, two new sacks or small ticking for straw, pillow, overcoat, sweater or jersey, shorts, change of underclothing, sports gear, fishing tackle. Note: On no account must cards, matches, cigarettes, or firearms be brought to camp. CAMP APPOINTMENTS. The appointments made for the Christmas camp to date are:—Commanding officer, Captain A. Mervyn Branks; adjutant, Captain ,F. H. Lambeth; quartermaster, Captain J. H. Boyd; assistant quartermaster. Lieutenant J. Thomson; cook, Mr L. M‘Knight; medical officers Lifeboy Supervisor W. R. Selwyn, Mr G. Densem; canteen officer, Captain A. R. Hislop; social convener, Lieutenant G. Reid; sports officer, Captain F. Carter; publicity agent, Lieutenant A. R. Malcolm; inspecting officers, Messrs Stewart and M'Skimming.