THE BOY SCOUTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16663, 7 April 1916, Page 91

THE BOY SCOUTS.

By Scoitoiasteb " Scoutmaster" will ba pleased to receive reports of parades and other items of interest for insertion in this oolurnu. They should be/ left at the offioe of ( the Otago Daily., limes not later than neon on Mondays, and Euoald be addressed to " tjcoatinaster."

Colonel Coesgrovo (dominion Chief Commissioner) arrived back from tho south early this week. He inspect®! troops at Balolutha, Gore, and lnvercargill. He loft to inspect the Cromwell 'Troop on the 4th inst. . The BaJolutha- Troop paraded under the command of Scoutmaster Rasmusscn on March 29. Tho meeting was well attended, 45 Scouts being present. Good work was done in ambulance, lashing, semaphore, and morse signalling. Some visitors were present, and expressed themselves as highly pleased with the work done.

Commissions have been granted by the District Committee to the following:— Scoutmasters: Dean I'itchett (All Saints'), Hudson Stephens (Roslyn), S.. Earland (Mornington); deputy scoutmaster, Rc-v. C. R. Allen (All Saints'); assistant scoutmasters—H. K Short (All Saints'), W. Garden (Roslyn); chaplains—Rev. H. O. Fenton and Rev. G. R. Coates. f~ ,

The AH Shints' Troop was inspected by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. James Allen) on Monday evening. In addressing the Scouts, >Mr Allen spoke on patriotism, comradeship, and courtesy. There was a f.ull attendance of the boys, and the parade was very satisfactory. Three hearty cheers were given for the Minister before ho left the hall 1 .

The St. John's Troop journeyed to Bavensbourne last Saturday, and spent a very pleasant and profitable time in the company of' the Ravensbourne Troop. De-spatch-ninning and boating formed tho programme for this parade, and proved exceedingly interesting to tho Scouts. The Mornington Scouts paraded on Saturday afternoon and evening. In tho afternoon cooking and signalling work were done, and in tho evening tho parade was d.evotcd entirely to signalling. Tho results of tho ambulance competition wore announced by Scoutmaster Earland, and an address on the first Slcout law was given by tho district commander. The discipline was highly satisfactory. 4 0n Thursday and Friday tho troops of tho Dunedin West-Central Battalion assembled at their respective halls. The parade was not of the usual order, it being an off-night for tho Scouts. But a profitable time was spent in the holding of mock, trials. These were the means of -producing some very fine talent among the members, one of the Scouts cross-examining tho witnesses in j first-class order. Sir George M'Lean and his Worship the Mayor have both made a very handsome contribution to the funds of the Dunedin .West-Central Troops, and the latter has consented to become an honorary member of this corps. Miss M'Lean has also allowed her name to be placed on this cprp'g roll of honorary members, and it is hoped that Sir George's name will also/ be added.

On Saturday the AlLSainfs' Church Troop met at tho corner of Ditke and Queen streets at 2 p.m. The attendance was very satisfactory, only two of tho Scouts being away. Eleven of the Scouts were marohed off to go and do tho outdoor work for tho Btcond-class badge. Tho remainder journeyed to the residence of tho Rov. C. Allen (deputy scoutmaster), where they had games,' scouting, and signalling until 3.30. They then set oft to meet the others, who were to have finished the working tests by 4 o'clock. But they were a little late, and had to find tho 11 ,£fcouts by following the instructions given in a despatch that was left at the base. All the fires, with one exception, were lit with a, single match., Each Soout had to collect his own firowood, and lay and light his own fire. The members who had been cooking now enjoyed the fruits of their labour, while tho other bojys had a despatch-running oontcst. Scoutmaster Allen pronounced the cooking as excellent, and the troop marohed home hai/py in tho thought that 11 of its members •were now well on tho way to becoming second-class Scouts 1

An ambulanco competition cup lias been presented by an anonymous donor to the Dunedin Boy Scouts. The cup is to be tbrmed tho. "Anglican First Aid Compete tion Cup." It 'will be ..competed for annually, about May or June.'and will bo open to all troops in the Dunedin district of tho Dominion Boy Scouts' Association. Tho events for the competition will be open to any parsons interested in tfiis work. 1 The teams will consist of a picked team from any one troop, and will include a sergeantmajor, sergeant, or leader, ono corporal, and six Scouts, all of whom must have ■passed tho second-class tests. Whcro there are two or moro troops under tho, one name, each troop must provide its own team or teams. The cup will never becomo the property of any ono troop, and when fully inscribed the plinth will to mounted by a small silver plato, inscribed thereon after the competitions oach year.