THE BOY SCOUTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7122, 7 May 1910, Page 7

THE BOY SCOUTS

'"l3t SCOUTSIA3T>EB.I

News uf the doings of patrols in tho Wellington province are invited by •'Scoutma-t--;-,". care of tiie ''New Zealand Time"." If the movement is to advance too much publicity aannot be given fo tho work being accomplished by its means. WELLINGTON EXECUTIVE. Citizen Members— Dr Newman, J. G. W. Aitken, W. S. 11. Moorhouso, C. J. Crawford, F. \V. h'.utherfurd; I). G. Smart, district secretary; E. Balconibc Brown, treasurer. Scout Officers— H. N. McLccd, lieutenant-commander; Lieutenant G. L. Logan, inspector; and Scoutmasters E. Lawson, C. P. Coloncus, and Dr Fritz Kemp. ADDRESSES OF SCOUTMASTERS. Following are the addresses of Scoutmasters, tho name in parentheses being that of the troop to which the Scoutmaster is attached : Mr IL N. McLEOL, opposite G.P.O. Building, Featherston street. (Miramar). Mr D. G. SMART, Featherston street, Secretary Wellington Executive. Mr LOGAN. Defence Department, Government Buildings. (Thorndon). Mr F. LAWSON. 12, Talavera terrace. (Kelburn-). Mr C. P. COLONEUS', Bovs' Institute, Arthur street. (Bovs' Institute). Mr W. EDWARDS. Queen's Drive, Island Bav. (Island Bay). Mr H. MTJNRO. 9, Alpha street. (Roscneath). Mr PERRY, c/o A. and T. Burt's, Courtenav place. (Kilbirnie). Mr G. NEISH, 69, Tasman street. (Pathfinder). Mr A. J. MACDONALD, 135. Brougham street. (Mount Victoria). Mr I. CLARKE, No. 1, Athol Crescent, off Boulcott street. (City). Rev. WALTON, c/o St. Peter's Mission, Taranalci street. (Te Aro). Mr n. WOODWARD, 24, Colombostreet. Newtown. (Newtown). Mr R. MILLS, Johnsonvillc. (Johnsonville). Sir S. M. BREAR, 10, Petone avenue. (Petone). Arrangements have been made in New Plymouth to havo periodical addresses for scouts only on "Scout Law." A meeting of the executive was held on Wednesday evening to consider the cadet regulations. No definite ;decision wop arrived at. A meeting to further discuss the position will take place next week. According to Colonel H. H. Young, Chief Scout of the Federal Array. American War of Independence, tho essential qualities of a good scoot are quick discernment, good judgment, great self-re-liance, and rapid execution of plans made to suit circumstances as, they ■"' present themselves.

A general church parade will take place in Newtown on Sunday. Scouts will meet at the Basin Reserve at 10 a.m. The Catholic boys, under Scoutmaster MacD>onald, will, march to Buckle street Church, and the others to St. James's Church, .Adelaide road, where Scout-chaplain Shirer will preach a special sermon. Last week the Mount Victoria Scouts witnessed an interesting series of electrical experiments carried out by their scoutmaster. Some beautiful discharges from an induction coil through luminous tubes were shown. A short description of the dangers of electricity, aud how to rescue an insensible person from contact with live wires, concluded an instructive evening. , At a very successful camp of Victorian scouts the total cost of living worked out at 8d per scout per day, and the scouts fared well on this outlay. The bill of fare daily was: —Porridge, sausages, steak, fish, bread, jam. butter, tea, coffee, cocoa, and a liberal supply of milk. Water was supplied to the scouts free from the troop's fund, which also defrayed the cost of carriage of luggage to P.nd from the camp. A good turn was done by Scout Bert Dowell. of. the Mount Victoria troop, the other day. He was rowing on the Weli lington harbour -when he noticed that a boy was capsized from a canoe and ' becoming entangled in some gear was unable to extricate himself. Dowell im--1 mediately went to the rescue, and was : enabled to rescue the youth who was under the cance. head down, art! but. I for the timely assistance of the scout must have lost his life. A scoutmaster writes :—"The uew Govi eminent regulations are certainly not to the advantage of the scout movement. All the military authorities should require is that the scout organisation' should b? left entirely free to manage its s 'own affairs as at present, but requiring scouts to bo ucder the cadet control when on official parades. Tt might be well for a Government military representative to occupy a seat on the governing council of the scouts movement." Two brothers, members of Mr Porter's West Harbour troop. Dunedin (says the "Dominion Scout"), have been specially commended for their bravery and endurance in rescuing others. One of them sprang out of his boat and swam to a boy who was struggling, and out of his depth, and landed him. Another scout rescued a valuable horse, after great exertion, from the fork of a tree in winch the animal had got caught. Here is an instance of how duty should be done. Though Sir James Outram might not personally approve of the policy he was occasionally ordered to carry out, ho never once faltered in, the path of duty. Thus he did not approve of the policy of invading Scinde; yet his services throughout the campaign were acknowledged by Sir C. Napier to have been of the most brilliant character. • But when the' war was over, and: the spoils of Scinde were to be divided, Outram said : "I. disapprove of the policy of this war—l will accept no. share of the prize-money." Here are three things, sVouts, you can learn from, this':—-fl) . Obey orders without question. (2) I>o your best because it is your duty. (3) If you have any complaints make them, as Ontram did, after you have finished your duty. . . ■

The West Melbourne troop (Victoria) was signalling? in the Boyal Part on aSaturday afternoon when one of t the scouts paw flames and smoke rising about two miles to th° west. He at once gave the alarm of "Fire." and the troop was at once called in from their exercising, and doubled along to the fire at Ea.stwood street. Kensington, where a fourroomed cottage belonging to an old man was found to bo ablaze. The scouts at once made themselves useful by keeping the crowd back and helping the firemen, nulline the fallen roof to pieces and giving the firemen a chance to get at the flames underneath. After the fire was estingTiishcd they searched for the old man's valuables," and secured everything of any value that had not been destroyed, • inclndinz a gold chain and ring, watoh and purso. The police thanked them for their work. The Papunui troop of the Boy Scouts, j assisted by several comrades from Belfast and Brighton, and also by lady J and gentlemen frienda.ca.va a uniaue en-

tertaiuim-iit rccentlv in aid of thenfunds. The feature of the entertainment was the second part. .When the curtain was raised a most realistic scene was presented, entitled "Hound the Campfire," which illustrated very effectively how th- Ikivs usually enjoy themselves after a hard day's routing. The opening piece was "The Scouts' Marching Song," which bus been dedicated to Majo" D Cosfßi-ove and the Hoy Scouts of the Dominion. The solo was very well sung bv Scout Foote, the scout? round the camp-fire joining heartil'- in the chorus. After this item fencing and boxing exhibitions were scientifically given. A sailor's hornpipe was splendidly danced by Scout Musson, of the Belfast patrol, io a mouth-organ accompaniment excellently played by a little comrade. The entertainment concluded with an amusing farce entitled "A Silent Protector." , KELUCRXE TROOP On Saturday last the Kelburne troop spent an enjoyable afternoon on tho Minimal' sandhills. Four of the boys practised signalling, messages being received correct I v f'om about a quarter of a mile distant. S-mo of tho other members practised s ret ion* of their sec-ond-class exams., the mile heir?; done in well under the allotted time. Another important item in this exam, which was practised was the tracking. Threo trails were laid, but owing to (he trails crossing and recrossing at different points they were not followed successfully. The scoutmaster, with half of tho troop, made an attempt to reach the Lvull Bay beach, while the other half laid in ambush for thrm. Th; advance guard of the scoutmaster's section was captured, but the rest managed to (dude their would-be caplors and reached their goal in safety. PETONE TROOP. On Saturday tho troop met down at the sandhills, I'etone, and there they employed themselves in cookinsr damper. Ftich patrol had it* own . fire alight in a short time, ami the couks were soon hard at. it with the flour and water. When the dough was ready tho hot stones were brought out. The dough was then put on. and it was not long before it was baked. When file rlamjic:' was cooked, the boys sat down rour-I j the fires and sampled it. There is nothing like 11 damper for a scout's appetite. .About 6 o'clock the troop foil in and inarched home, happy and quite pleased with their cooking lesson. NEWTOWN TROOP. A rend-off was given to Patrol Leader Boyle of the Newtown Troop at the club room on the 29th of lest month. The send-off was in the form of a pound i night, each Ixiy ' bringing a pound I of eatables. Thirty-three with their various parcels, soon filled up the large table with cakes, fruits, sandwiches, etc. the drinks . being supplied by the scoutmaster, and assistant. A magic lantern, helped, to make the evening a success and ■ a • lanteii'ii picture of Gen. S. 8. Baden Powell was greatly appreciated by. the boys. A prize was awarded to Scout Norris, who guessed nearest to the number of apples in a bag. A photograph of the troop was presented to Patrol Leader Boyle, and after a very feeling good-bye to their departing comrade a pleasant evening was brought to a close. Patrol Leader Boyle left for the .Coast on Saturday. His future home is to bo at Westpoi-fc. Last Saturday afternoon the troop wore shown over the Parliamentary Buildings and'the'Museum.- -'-■■• '-'-'.-- ;: ■■ MOUNT VICTORIA.

Last Saturday afternoon the Mount Victoria Scouts met at their club room, Clyde Quay. They afterwards proceeded by way of Kent Terrace, .Elizabeth and Pixie Streets, bo the Signal Station on Mount' Victoria, where they manned the old gun overlooking the city. This position was attacked by the Pathfinders troop. As the Roseneath Scouts were seen climbing the hill in the rear, that position had also to bo guarded bj* the defenders. As the attackers canto on the garrison was urged on by the flying of the Union Jack over the fort. Aa the attack drew to a close three of tho Mount Victoria Scouts advanced to tho enemies' lines flying the flag of truce. It was to notify the scoutmaster that more than half of his number had been halted by the defending pickets, and that therefor© the attackers were defeated. It was a capital exercise. THE KING'S APPROVAL. The Boy Scout movement has supporters among tho very highest men of the Elmpire. His Majesty the King has always shown a very keen interest in the movement, and that he realised its value is plainly shown in the honour ho did the movement ge-nei-ally, and the Chief in particular, by conferring Knighthood upon Lieutenant-General BadenPowell, the founder of the League. On different occasions His Majesty has watoied scouts work, and Royal "rallies have been held in his honour. Field-Mar-shal Lord Roberts, perhaps the most prominent military geniui of this generation, has accepted a seat on the London Headquarters Council, and has many times voiced his high opinion of the League's work. Admiral Lord Charles Beresford has even found time to play games of attack and defenca with the English patrols. One of the latest tributes comes from the Bishop of Loudon, who recently said: "My Council for the Welfare of Lads, which has organised • and carried on for twenty years the seaside camps for London working boys and the Diocesan. Church Lad's Brigade, feels that this' new movement, the Boy Scouts, if right ly directed, offers another excellent means of training our lads to grow up as loyal citizens and fnifchful Churchmen."

MEASURING DISTANCE FOR CYCLIST SCOUT. (For the Scrap Book.) First of all obtain the circumference of the ba«k wheal of your bicycle; then find the. number of times tho back wheel goes round to one revolution of the pedal. As an illustration, tiippose that" your : wheel is €ft in eircumferonco, and it revolver three times in evorv pedal revolution, you will have travelled 18ft from the time your right foot is nearest to the ground till it is in tho same position again. All you have to do is to know the number of times your right foot has been in thisplaee over a certain distance. . and you will know, how far you have travelled.: An easy system of keeping the number in mind is to change _a marble from one pocket of your shirt to another every fifty or.one hundred you count. Try this nest time you are on . your bikes !