BOY SCOUTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15824, 24 July 1913, Page 2

BOY SCOUTS.

["Scoutmaster" will be pleased to receive reKrrts of parados ami oilier items of interest for .nsertion in this column. They should be left it the office of the Otago Daily Times not later foan noon on Mondays.]

Chief" Scoutmaster Holdernees reports us • foliows:—The Ist and 2nd Mormngton Troo()s met last Friday. Owing to the unavoidable absence of the officers, Mr .A. Napier gymnastic instructor to the troops, assisted by Mr V. Burton, took charge. The lads showed 1 themselves very keen and willing to learn. The work on the paralle bars found some of the lads to be stiff and wanting in confidence, while others were neater," and showed good promise. Boys are recommended to watch tho instructor carefully when he is explaining an exercise. The more keen the boy the more pleasure for the instructor. The boys seemed to enjoy themselves most on tho horizontal bar, and proved themselves very energetic. The bar was rather high for some of tho smaller lads, but, once they gripped, it, they hung on, and nut their muscles into the exercises, In using tho horso tho lads are apt .to forget that the springboard is there to bo used, and unless they do use jt they will not bo able to clear the horse neatly and cleanly. As a word of advice, lads should remember to keep their oyes up and feet together, and they will find themselves improving rapidly. ' The 3rd Mormngton Troop met on Tuesday (the 15th inst.) and was m tho charge of Assistant-Scoutmaster Whelan, assisted by Acting-Assistant j Scoutmaster M Galium, liood work was put in. District Commander Fisher, of Port Chalmers, paid a visit, and gave a helping hand. The members of 'the Mormngton Stouts Bugle Band are practising hard. They aro to give an overturn at tho entertainment to be given by tho Waverley Battalion next month, thus doing a good turn by helping their brother Scouts in another district. It is understood that they arc goinjr - to invito other troops to a friendly game of Associa-

"The Ros'yn Troop held its usual weekly parade. Tl'ie work done was, _to a largo extent, tho same afl on the previous parade. Tho troop will parade as usual next l'riday. . ill Tho Waverley Battalion continues to hold rehearsals of its play. The Scouts are very keen, and are working exceptionally hard. They have now mastered tho first two ecenes, and by next rehearsal hope to master tho remaining portion of tho play. The programme has been completed a.nd is-now in the hands of the printer, so that all that remains to be dono is to sell the tickets. Apparently this will not be a very difficult piece of work, as, although tho tickots were only handed out to tho Scouts on Friday evening last, by Saturday afternoon some 50 had been disposed of. Granted a continuance of these prospects, tho financial result, is certain to bo good. , On Saturday last the Commissioner (Captain Sandlc) 'and Acting-Scoutmaster Gore went out to Tomahawk, with tho object of putting some six or seven scouts of tho Ocean Beach Troop through some of t.ho testo for the Second-Class Badge. The day was fine and keen, and no difficulty was experienced by the lads in "laying and lighting a fire in the open," although smoko and 'cinders caused majiy a tear to be elied. When the fires were lit it intended to conduct test seven—"Cook a quarter of a pound of meat, and two potatoes," etc. Everything promised well, but, unfortunately, a dog accompanied (he expedition, and while the "fire lighting" was > in progress it mado a tour of inspection and several lumps of meat were found to bo missing when they were required. A census of Scouts is to be taken on .Tuly 31 next. Scoutmasters in the Otago Provinco have received instructions with regard to this matter. Members of Troops are asked to take notice, and, if their patrol is not quito completed, make a special effort to bring them up to full strength by that dato. Scoutmasters aro again reminded that, patrol levies are now due and must, be paid by next, month. No badges can bo supplied to patrols who fail to pay this Arrangements are nearly completed for the formation ol a Troop of_ Boy Scouts to be attached to the All Saints' Church, but. unfortunately, tho authorities cannot get anyone to takeover the charge cf tho lads. It should not bo difficult to find someonu'in IXmodin to offer his sorvicw. Quits

a number of troops could be formed in this City if the district committee cou'.d find men ready to act as ofiicoi'6.