SCOUT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18322, 12 February 1923, Page 9

SCOUT NEWS.

BY XUAKA.

Mr. Sidney Dark, the noted London journalist, was so much impressed with what he saw while at the rally at Alexandra Park that in an article which he wrote for JoAn O'London's Weekly, he speaks in strong support of the movement. Having pointed out, that though people are generally ready to applaud "fine national service." they are not so ready to give practical assistance. i He said: "It would be a splendid thing for England if every boy in the country was enrolled in the scouts' ranks. Tens of thousands of boys are eager to be scouts. They are properly envious of the good times that the chaps next door have. And their mothers would love them to be scouts, because the chaps next door &re so much more considerate, so r-iuch more useful, and so much cleaner. The tiouble is that new troop* nf scouts cannot be formed without a large addition to the numbers of scoutmasters, and the right kind of« man for a scoutmaster is hard to find arid is too often unwilling to make the necessary sacrifice of leisure time."

Mr. Allan B. Ross, of Apia, Samoa, trilled ::t AucsHnd headq'iarfors. Mr Ross is connects i with the Apia Troop of Sea Scouts, and was anxious to get in touch with the sea scouts of New Zealand. He also had. an interview with Mr. Woods, Scoutmaster in charge of the Calliope Troop, with whom he compared notes as to the methods on which tho troops were run. Visiting scouts will always be made welcome to Apia.

The Holy Sepulchre Troop paraded last Thursday evening. There were >30 scouts on parade. During the evening a visit of inspection was paid by District Scoutmaster A. J. Veart. The work of the evening comprised signalling, first aid and revision of tenderfoot work. The Wolf Cubs, numbering 16, paraded under Cubmaster Morrison.

Mr. J. D. Campbell, Scout Commissioner of Raratonga, called at headquarters last week. Mr. Campbell returns to Raratongra at the end of the month, having thoroughly enioved his hol'day furlough in New Zealand. He hopes that any scouts from New Zealand or overseas who may call at Raratoricra will make themselves known to him. when he will guarantee them a real scout welcome ,to the islands. .

The first parade for the year of the Kitchener Troop was' held on Thursday. Twenty-two boys answered the roll call and after the election of patrol leaders, the evening was devoted to games and interesting competitions. Sipper was provided in the usual pound night style after which the troop was dismissed.

Arrangements are now well in hand for the scout officers' trek to the West Coast, which takes place on Saturday. ' Quite a number of scouters have sign'fied their intention of attending, and favoured with good, weather, the outing should prove most interesting. • •

Extension implies, of course, getting more scoutmasters, and there are various lines open to us for this. The most promising lies in the rover branch. If we develop and aim this branch to that end, we shall get a supply of really \ understanding scouters who win at the same time be completing their own course of " selfeducation by staying on iD the movement.

Arrangements will soon be well, under way for the holding of the big. scout rally in the Domain on Saturday, • May 5. Troops will soon' be busy practising their hakas and choruses, and preparing to give the display which will be particularly set ;for them.

At a meeting of the committee of council held in London on November 9, _it was decided to inquire into the possibilities of holding an Imperial jamboree in connection with the Empire Exhibition at Wembley Park in 1924. It is to be hoped that, should this eventuate, New Zealand will be represented.

The Devonport troop of scouts met for their first parade at their hall in Church Street on Friday, February 2. The evening was spent in organised games. It is by games that scout training succeeds in interesting boys in the seriors work of life, and the«e scouts are looking forward to many similar evenings. They hope to welcome back all the former members of the .troop,' and "are equallv ready to welcome new members. They hope to have this year, as in the past, the sympathy and support of the public of Devonport.