BOY SCOUTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17329, 18 November 1916, Page 6

BOY SCOUTS.

It has been decided to commemorate the heroism of Scout Jaok Travers Cornwall, who was mortally wounded at the battle of Horn Reef, while serving on H.M.S. Chester, by the grant of a special bronze badge, the qualifying •tests for which will be as follow: —(1) Must ho a first-class Scout, (2) Must pass a teßt in physical courage. For example, in high diving, boxing or gymnastics, or, as alternatives—(a) Hold an award for bravery in saving life under exceptional circumstances; (b) have undergone' great suffering in an heroic manner. (3) Must obtain a good report from his scoutmaster and seme independent responsible person for (a) industry and effort; (b) obedience and discipline; (c) trustworthiness; (d) punctuality in attendance; (e) smartness of bearing, kit and in appearance. ' (4) Must have passe.d for a missioneds badge.’ (5) Must havo passed for two of the following badges: —Boatman, pilot, sea fisherman, signaller, • starman, swimmer or rescuer, watchman. Tlie Cornwall Badge is a bronze C and is worn on the breast. “C” stands for courage ns well as Cornwall, and General Sir R. Baden-Powell, in his “Monthly Outlook” says:—“The test must) be a real one, and when we sfcte the “C” on a Scout’s breast we want to feel that here is a. boy that baa done something or borne something.” Mr TV. H- Beetbam, of Masterton, has presented a handsome shield, valued at £4O, for competition among Scouts in the Dominion at the Caledonian sports held at Masterton annually' on New Year’s Day. The programme will consist of competitions in ambulance, signalling, bugling, physical drill, relay races and tug-of-war. Scoutmasters desiring further information should communicate with Mr Cresswell, secretary Y.M.C.A., Masterton. The. annual report of Mr TV. H. Newton, the Senior Commissioner in New Zealand, has been forwarded to the London Council by Colonel Cossgrove, as it gives an excellent account of the difficulties of keeping the ranks of Scoutmasters filled owing to the numbers who have answered the call of Empire, and of how these difficulties havo not only been met but bow the movement has actually grown stronger in his province, Auckland East. The Thames troops have increased greatly, and in addition a troop of fifty girls lias joined the G.P.S. movement. The Paeroa troop is thriving under Air Norman Carless, late of Te Kuiti, and a fine troop of girls has also been formed in the town, under a representative committee, of which the .Mayoress is president. The. Taknpuna patrol, which put up such a fine score in the recent shooting competition were each presented by the donors of the Silver Cup with a handsome gold embroidered badge, a circle surmounted by a crown, with crossed rifles in red in the centre, each of the eight, badges being valued at half :• guinea. Only seventy-two boys competed last. time, owing to .the shortness of notice. It is expected that. 1000 at least will compete next year. Scoutmasters should get their boys into training as soon as possible, as the competition is sure to be keen. Seventy patrols have been registered with headquarters by the AT ellington Scoutmasters this year. Tills probably represents 700 Scouts. Air A. Macdonald has been reinstated District, Commander and Lieutenant Moffatt has been appointed Assistant Provincial Secretary. Mrs Loughnan, of Christchurch, has set Air D. AfLaren’s “Scout Afarching Song” to music, and has kindly offered to teach it to a number of Scouts with, good voices, so that they may teach their oals. Scoutmasters in the city are requested to send the names and addresses of two boys from cacli troop to the secretary, Miss AI. Y. Cossgrove, P.O. Box 487, so that she may be able to let them know the date and place of practice. Since writing last week the Chief Commissioner has been advised by his Excellency the Administrator of Samoa that before giving authority to inaugurate the Scout movement there, he would likq to have a report from the Commissioner at Cook Islands, and as Samoa is under military occupation the native chiefs might regard the movement as n military one, the proposal is therefore held up for the present.