THE BOY SCOUTS,

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16433, 12 July 1915, Page 7

THE BOY SCOUTS,

By Scoutmaster. Scoutmaster 11 will be pieased to receive reports ol parades una other items ol interest lor insertion in this column. They should be left at 'he office of the Otago Daily Times not later than noon on Mondays, and should be addressed to Scoutmaster." A statement was given currency recently that i etleeieci uyoii the nonour ol tne movement. The remark alluded to was to tne effect that a certain unknown Scout had informed a person on one of the suburban tramways thai he had been collecting for the patriotic funds, and, naming a certain sum, stated that he was only going to hand in a shilling of that amount, as the authorities would never know to the contrary. The charge was a serious one, and I felt it to be my duty, as district secretary, to make some investigations. The result was only what was to have been expected. The Scout in question, who is a member of a wellknown and much-respected familv in this city, when traced, promptly gave" information that proved beyond all doubt, that the statement was far from corrcct, and had either "been distorted or misunderstood. Occurrences of this nature are very regrettable in more ways than one. To my n.ind, it is amazing that anyone should not have recognised at once the fact that people who misappropriate funds of any kind do not usually inform the first person they meet exactly what they have done or propose to do. I shall ho glad if readers who hear this matter mentioned -will refer their informants to this paragraph, and thus do what they can to prevent an injustice being done to the Boy Scouts, who are so honestly striving to do their part in the great patriotic work now going on. The members of the Dunedin WestCentral Battalion had off nights, when they invited some of their friends to spend a social evening with them. The results of these gatherings were very satisfactory, in that nearly 10 new names wero added to the battalion's roll-book. There are still vacancies for a number of lads, and, as the corps is just starting its new half-yearly syllabus, now is the right time to join. The band members met and had , a good practice. Tho usual parades will be held this week.

The 1-st, Itoslyn Troon has, owing to tho courtesy of Scoutmaster Butler, been parading at St. John's Hall durinp tho last month. The parades have boon well attended, and the Scouts show an all-round keenness. On Saturday afternoons fcotball practices have been held. The Wcdncsdav evecing class for N.C.O.'s is a suocoss. and the Scouts arc already showing an improvement as a result of this class. Leader Glasgow is, at present in the first, position for the patrol leader's medal, he beinp 15 marks above Leader Stewart, who comes second. Owinsr to tho Scout* aSHstine in the street collection on Saturday, no .parade was hold.

THE WOUNDED SOLDIERS' FUND. TO THE EDITOIt. Sir, —In your Friday's issue " Worker " writes complaining of rhe hole nnrl corner manner in which Mr Solomon, Mr Salmond, and Mr Paul have been placed on the board which is going to have the control of the distribution of the money collccted for our wounded soldiers and the dependents of the lulled. I wish, right here, to give my unqualified support to " Worker's" objections, anc! for the eamc reasons that ho objects. I may say the mutter will not rest here. Complaints are numerous about this same matter.—l am, etc., July 10. Another Woekeh. QUEENS' CARNIVAL METHODS. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—l do not know that, under the present ciroumstanccs, Mr W. C. MacGregor is wise to raise the question of the frivolity to which, at a time when tlio nation is in the throes of a great struggle, wo are finding it neccesary to resort in order to get "patriotic" donations. Personally, I have fitted myself into the niche and succumbed to the inevitable, but I must confess that, along with many others who are desirous of seeing funds accumulate for the good cause, I am as disgusted as Mr MncGregor— and I think most thoughtful citizens must bo—at the tawdry, vulgar zeal with which some of our leading people are promoting " tinpot " imitations of royalty. The spirit inculcated is not a spirit of patriotism. T t is an appeal to vanitv, and it le;ids to all kinds of jealousy and ill-will. But it is here, and we might as well try to stop Mount Vesuvius. The freak has got to tud its course, and it has dollars behind it. Sanity may follow by-and-bve. Meantime protest is futile.—l am, etc.. All Bosh.