THE BOY SCOUTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15433, 20 April 1912, Page 15

THE BOY SCOUTS.

By Scoot. Scout will bo pleased to rccoivo news front Scoutmasters or Scouts, or from any person interested in the Boy Scout movement, for insertion in this column; contributions addressed to Scout to reach this office before Thursday evening. A cyclist troop is being- formed in tho city, composed of lads over 11 years of age. Those desirous of joining must send in their mimes, age, and he-igflt to "Cyclist," care of Y..M.C.A., Duncdin. The meeting night will be Friday. Tho uniform in all probability will be khaki shirt and blue |>onts. On Wednesday next a social meeting will \k hold at Green Island in the Friendly Societies' Hall, when it is hoped to raise a stroni; company in the district. 'We are pleased to welcome into tho ranks of tho officers Mr F. Uirvin, who is about to assume control of the Ravcnshourne troop, vice Scoutmaster Tapp, who has been transferred to Green Island.

In six weeks' time our great chief arrives in Dunedin. I wonder if every Scout is learning all that he can. It has been shown that tho General lias a habit of just drojrping on a Scout and asking him questions regarding his badges, and then mnWonly retnrning and cross-questioning. F.vcry Scout must learn the Scout Law, and be thoroughly efficient in Iris particular work. Reports from timo to time como through from Maori - Hill and Roslyn troops—always of an optimistic character. Theso troops, under Chief Scoutmaster Dredge, aro doing splendid work, and arc undoubtedly in tho forefront in regard to thoir work.

It is with pleasure that wo report that Scout Bobcrg, of the St. Kilda troop, is about'again after his recent accident. It will be remembered that Uoberg had a nasty fall from his bicycle. Tho Itoslyn Baptist troon has held very successful meetings, and there is a splendid tone about this troop which augurs well for future work.

The NoTth-East Valley Scouts have received nuito an impetus of late, the lads turning up in fino form. Chief Scoutmaster Christian is in charge The troop mccta on Thursday ovenings, and, judging by tho present rate of progress, a new liall will havo to be secured at an early date. Tho Mornington Scouts held a church parade on Sundav last at St. Mary's Church, when tftoro was a splendid muster under Chief Scoutmaster Holderncre.

ScouU Baglcy and Shepherd have received their all-round cords and othor badges. Special arrangements will bo mado by local vScouts for billeting thoso from the country. Country Scouto must therefore commtinicnlo direct with Commandor Jones as to accommodation, place of parade, etc., and early application is necessary. Numerous applications reach us as to liow to form Scont troops. Tho latest is from a gentleman at Dunback, who desires to know the ways and means for commencing work in that district. Wo would recommend tlweo who aro thinking of taking up tho work to secure " rjcouting for Boys," and to study it tlwroughly. Wo havo pleasure in welcoming into tho ranks of Duncdin officers Mr gimm, late of Kaitangata. It w understood that ho has boon offered a position by tho Commander.

Tito IkvenslxHirno Scouts met in tho Gymnasium on Friday evening last, wlhui Mr Girvin was in charge. Tho work of tho evening was of on interesting nature, and at the conclusion a short talk was given tho lads as to tho future of the work.

It is intended to hold a concert in the south end of tho city with a view to raising funds for tho carrying on of the Scout movement.

In future no applications for badges will io signed for unless in the first instance H'gned by the examiners.

As a curtain wiser to tho General's visit it is intended, if possiblo, to play a football mateh with 'Kaitarrgata, after which tbo Scouts will give an exhibition of Scout craft.

Tho St. Kilda Troop met in tho South I)iinodin Town Hall on Wednesday evening, when there- was a fair attendance of lads. Tho gancr.il work of this troop shows a marked improvement. Scoutmaster Hell is hopeful of' considerably increasing tho strength of tho battalion. At the conclusion of tho work Scouts Walker and Hallipan wcro elected leaders of patrols, with Erie Taylor as Sergeantmajor, Cecil Diiimiiic as Sergeant, and Taylor as Hiiglcr. Several of tho Scouts havo recently qualified for bilges, and will shortly receivo them. This afternoon several men will shoot off for tho marksman's badge*, while on Sunday morning thev join in for tho church parade. Tho Wolf Patrol is now fairly well under way. On Friday evening .Mr Simon, from Kaitangata, assisted in tho work, and bo will in all probability take chargo of this troop. Tho jntrols aro now formed, and tho general bearing is considerably improved. Tho troop will fire off today for lho marksman's bulges, and on Sunday they meet at Cargill's coiner for church parade. Tho executive officers' monthly meeting will bo held on Monday next,"the 22nh inst., when matters affecting tho future policy of tho movement will bo discussed. Application is being made to St. John 'Ambulance Brigade for an instructor to tho Scouts.

A church parade will bo held at. South rhmedin on Sunday, when troops will meet at Cargill's corner at 10.30 a.m. Provision will bo made for Cyclist Scouts, so as to enable them to conio from a distance and leave their machines in safety.

Tho Morninglon troops met on Wednesday and Friday, tho musters being good, flno now member was admitted. Tho work dono comprised: Tenderfoot, Semaphore and Morse signalling, pioneer ambulance, and gymnastics, finishing up with a good run. Tho penny savings bank is still increasing its membership, and thus helping Uio Scouts to livo up to nt least one item of their Scout law— namely, " A Scout is thrifty." Tho troons held a church parade on Sunday nt St. Mary's, when there were present 40 nut of n possible 65. ][ being the \ m . vest festival, tho chaplain. Yen. Archdeacon Neild. M.A.. preached on the first fruits, and exhorted the lads to use the best of their lives for Jesus while they were young, nnd not to wait till they wero old. when tho best years of lifo were passed.

During tlio Raster holidays hvo or three lluncdin Seout-mastcrs had the pleasure of seoiui: sonw of the Ooro Scout* at Korohi Creek, l'ort Molyneux. where they were, ramped. Scoutmaster Ilargesso and As-sistanl-Sooiilmasler Scott lioinir in charge. Tlio Dunedin visitors wero received vciy kindly, and they speak verv highlv of tlio Ooro boys. Wo understand that there are two King's Scouts in tho troop, and we trust to seo them on June 1. Scout-muster Hargesse, who took over the troop about throo months ago, comes to town about onco a quarter, and we lwpe he will visit 11s wlton lio comes.

Tho Pwr*- Chalmers Scouts are not marking time, but forging steadily ahead. Several new boys have joined since Christmas. There arc still n few vacancies, which wil} be filled More very lonjr. The Tuesday before Hosier the" officers of Mornington Troops paid a visit, when Chief Scoutmaster Hordcrncss presented tho following boys with badges:—J'atrol fAidcr K. House, path-finder, ambulance, and cook; Patrol Leader .1. Miller, pathfinder, ambulance, and all-round cords: Patrol Leader E. Sunderland, pathfinder, nmbnlanro, and cook: Chief Scoutmaster rishor, pathfinder, missioirpr, uid King's. Others are working hard for their secondclass, pioneer. paTdVner, pathfinder, bugler, and signaller Imdges. The troop meets every Tuesday at 7 a.m., and is very much in need of another Scoutmaster.