Boy Scouts

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7847, 8 July 1911, Page 16

Boy Scouts

[BY ’ SCOUTiIASTEE..]

News of tho doings of patrols in tho Wellington province are invited by “Scout master," care of the “X.Z. Times." If the movement is to advance, too much publicity cannot be given to tho , work being accomplished by its means. All communications muist bear the name and address of the sender.

District Commissioner: Mr William- Gray, M.A. Battalion Commanders— Western: Chief Scoutmaster E. Lawson. Southern: Chief Scoutmaster 11. Woodwara. Central: Chief Scoutmaster C. I*. Coloneus Suburbs: Chief Scoutmaster Chappell. Inspectors: E. Lawton, Mnofarlaue, C. I*. Coloneus. Letter from Home. The following letter has been received by the Dominion Chief Scout front Colonel Brownrigg, commissioner for tho colonies, Londuu: "Dear Colonel Cossgrove.—Many thunks for your .letter of April 9th and for the papers which, however, 1 have hardly had time to look at as I am very busy with tho approaching King's Hally at Windsor on duly •ith. Wo hope to have over ”5.000 Scouts on parade. X am very sorry the -New Zealand Scouts will not bo represented, and, in fact. X know of no oversea contingent except about 200 from Canada. Next year, if the King inspects us auwn. 1 hope wo shall bo better rep resented by our oversea dominions. ’“lt is very ‘satisfactory to hear you are x )r °S Te^in S’ St > 'woli and the executive committee are, 1 assure you, most interested in the New Zealand Scouts. iu many other dominions there aro squabblmgs. secessions, differences of opinion and such unscoutlike proceedings, and it is most dimcult for headquarters to give a decision on many matters. Their opinion is that the Supremo Council, whatever it is» 111 each dominion, should -conduct its own affairs. The executive committee in London have no wish to interfere in any way so long as the principles of the Hoy bcout movement are carried out. “I am glad you are pleased at your Scouts being recognised as an integral part of the New Zealand Cadet Corps organisation. As an old soldier 1 am quite in sympathy We, however, cannot follow your example m Lngland and have in common with most boys organisations refused "to accept reccgnilion by the War Office. It would at once make ours a military body and. alienate all non-militant sections. “X am sorry to hear that, through some mistake in the office, the hfc-sav-ing medals were not sent to Lord Islington. They have, however, now been despatched. X will give Sir -Robert Ba-den-Powell your request. He has not decided upon his autumn plans yet, Mr Robert, in a letter received by the same mail, says he will visit Now Zealand, in the spring.

Regulations. The London Executive Committee has issued another set or Boy Scout regular tions, comprising ‘‘Organisation,' ‘ general Regulations," and for Badges ” Among the general regulations aro the following: Tho present limits ot an-e for enrolment of Boy Scouts are 11 to 18. Tenth Law A Scout is'pure in thought, word, and deed. It is exiiocted that every Scout should belong to some religious denomination and attend its services, in the United Kingdom a Cadet unit affiliated to any unit of the Territorial Force cannot, as such, belong to the Boy Scouts (Baden-Powell) organisation,' the Cadet units being under the War Office as part of the armed forces of the Crown, but all or any individual members of a Cadet unit may belong to the Boy Scouts. Scouts and officers in uniform are not allowed to take part in meetings or demonstratione of a political nature. Boy Scouts m uniform are not allowed to appear on the stages of theatres of k al k e \r public performances other than tneir own.

Message to the King. On the evening of June 21st the Dominion Chief Scout sent to his Excel; lenoy the Governor, as representative or his Majesty King George, sincere wishes for a long and happy reign for their Majesties, on behalf of the Boy and Girl Scout organisations of New Zealand His Excellency has sent the following reply through his private secretary: “Coronation of his Majesty the King.—l am directed by the Governor to acknowledge tho receipt of your telegram of the 21st instant, and to say that the loval message on behalf ot the Boy and Girl Scout organisations of New Zealand has been duly forwarded by his Excellency." General Notes. Scout D. E. Stacey, who was for 11 months attached to the First Hereford Troop, England, has taken up his settlement in Auckland, joining the No. 1 All Saints. Ho thinks the Scouts are much more enthusiastic in New Zealand than at Home, and this he puts down to tho splendid open country they have for practice. The Scouts at Homo have often a considerable distance to go before obtaining any open ground for games. Major G. D. Boss, V.D., Commissioner for Otago, has received throe months’ leave of absence to visit Canada and the United States of America. He has letters of introduction from the Dominion Chief Scout to the heads of the movement in the places he will visit. A Scout Hero. Five persons, including a fireman, were injured in a fire whch occurred on May 17th, on the premises of the Globe Cinematograph Film Company in Cecil court. London, a narrow thoroughfare connecting St. Martin’s lane with Charing Cross road. Thrilling scenes were witnessed, women jumping from tho windows in their terror. A Boy Scout, Joseph Darrow, of Belton street, Drury lane, the leader of the Holborn patrol, assisted in .the work of rescue. Ho ran across to a warehouse in Charing Cross road and borrowed two short ladders, which were all that were immediately available. These lasted together, reacned to tlie third floor window, and the Boy Scout, running up first because of his light weight, helped two terrorstricken young women to escape. The firo was blazing fiercely by the time tho brigade arrived and the long ladders could be wheeled up Cecil court. Three women, still screaming, were brought down a ladder, and a fourth, who closed her eyes and dropped from the second floor, caught a hanging sign in her fall, and turned a half somersault before she was caught by willing hands below. St. Anne’s Cadets. At the recent boxing tourney, held by the St. Anne's Defence Cadets, Private ,T. Davis defeated Sergeant Cochrane on points after a willing encounter of six rounds. The principal event of the evening was a ton-round contest between Sergeant P. McCarthy and Private J. McLaughlan. After a very even go the referee, Mr Charles I/uuhan, gave his decision as a draw. Several leading Wellington amateurs have boon engaged for their next concert, to be held in St. Thomas’ Hall, in aid of the company’s fife and drum band. The committee, under Captain T. Martin, report a large sale of tickets.

Troop Reports. A good number of Scouts from the Newtown and Kilbirmc troops gathered at the Miramar City boundary on Satur- , day and did a very good afternoon's

work. Tim were despatched to Hataitai for a bundle of withes and found that, as the tram conductors would not lot them ride with their burdens, they had to tramp the two miles. A party was told off to obtain toitoi, a second group were given the task of collecting “bent” grass,° and a third wore set to obtain branches for a wigwam shelter. With the grass a kaffir hut was partially built” This is to be completed to-day. The toitoi is to bo used for a similar purpose.

Tho whole, work is in preparation for the night display at the Coronation Exhibition on the 14th inst. The proceeds go towards tho Hepplo Benefit Fund. It is hop'd that the attractive programme will bring a large attendance. For this display .Scouts are to meet at tho exhibition on Friday evening next at 7.1.1. On this occasion they will be stationed on the floor of the stadium, and cacti troop will have some special work to do.

I’oscneath troop is to build a novel aboriginal canoe, while Island Bay will essay a raft of a pattern freely used by old time Maoris. Mount Victoria is to supply a wire flying bridge, Kelburno a sixteen-foot lock and trestle, and Petone is down for a manuka-wood bridge on similar principle. Khandallab is to give another Scout practice, so that the whole programme will be worth seeing. Scouts will bo asked to sell tickets the whole proceeds o£ which will go to the benefit fund. Scoutmaster Cameron, of Ekotahuua, has taken up his residence in Wellington. Ho will be an acquisition to the officers’ ranks here. Last night he gave an address to the Newtown Scouts, and kept the audience thoroughly interested Tile attendances of the Boys’ Institute troop are steadily gaining, and groat keenness is being shown. The class of coaching for badges is also being well attended. On Thursday night the annual examination for non-com.'s positions was held; the results will be made known next week. The troop is going to take up bridge-building with a view to entering for the competitions in November.

On Wednesday evening there was a good attendance of Brooklyn Scouts for tho inspection by Mr Lawson. After the inspection. ‘‘Kims’’ game was played for tho examination of the second class bays, the game being won by Corporal Wood (Otters). Owing to the illness of the Scoutmaster, Mr Rhodes, tho troop feels lonely, but hopes to have him back soon. All Scouts who are going up for their second-class test will parade at Grant road, opposite Park street at 3.50 p.m. to-day.