THE BOY SCOUTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16668, 13 April 1916, Page 6

THE BOY SCOUTS.

By Scoutmaster ' " Soontmaster" will bo pleased to receive reports of parades and other items of interest for Insertion in this ooJumn. They should he left at the £fflce of the Otago Daily Times not later than , ncoir on Mondays, and should be addressed to " Scoutmaster." .

Troop commanders are reminded that entries for the Bristol Piano Company's Challenge Shield for Signalling must bo in the hands of the district secretary not later than Saturday next. .The competition is open to any troop of not less than 16 Boy Scouts, who are .bona fide membc/rs of registered patrols. Teams may not be selected from a battalion; but a battalion may enter cne team for each of its individual troops. The test is for sending and reading in both the Morse and Semaphore codes. The competition will be held on the 29th inst. To the stirring music of bugles and drums tho troops of the Dunedin West-Central Battalion marched to the Dundas Street Methodist Church on Sunday evening last. Thero was a. large number of tho members present, and the behaviour of the lads was very good. The Rev. S. Griffith conducted the service, which opened with tho singing of the" National Anthem. The minister extended to the visiting scouts and their officers a very hearty welcome, and expressed the hope that tne corns would again visit the church at some future date. At the request of the officers, tho minister read out the scouts' law prior to loading in prayer. Tho District Commander desires me to congratulate Acting A.S.M. Kennedy and Sergeant-bugler Weir on tho splendid example they have set to- all of their fellows. These two members of the Dunedin West-Central troons had promised to at tend the church parade called for Sunday evening last, but they just missed the boat that was to i have brought them, in from Portobello, where they were staying. Sooner, towever. than fail to keep their •word, they the whole of the "way in to Dunedin, arriving just in time to join the parade. "A scout's honour is to be trusted." There seems to be some doubt as to where badges are to be worn on the uniform. Tho regulations state that the second and first class badges are to be worn on the front of the hat. and this still applies, even for the cloth badges that are now being issued. Proficiency badges are worn on the sleeves. Tho Balclutha troop held its weekly meeting on Wednesday, 4th inst. Scoutmaster Rasmussen had charge of the 40 scouts present The parade opened with tho revision of the second scout law. Following this, ambulance, lashing, and semaphore signalling were given. Scoutmasters will note in future that when applying for the marksman's and path•finder's badges, it is not necessary to send in tho targets and map's. The usual application form, signed by the registered examiners, will be quite sufficient. The Mornington Scouts held their usual Parade on Saturday evening last, when a good number of the scouts were present. The recruits are progressing favourably. Signalling and ambulance work were done during the parade, at the conclusion of - which the. District Commander addressed the scouts on the second scout law. Scoutmaster Earland has very kindly given each boy a small book for scout work. ... ~. It is proposed to hold a monster rally ojf; all of the scouts in the dominion, or at least as many as can _ attend, after the war. In addition to this, Colonel Cossgrovo is anxious to have a dominion conference of scoutmasters and all scout officials. Meetings such as these would prove of great help to tho organisation, and it is to be hoped that when the time comes round all members of our organisation will support the proposal. The St. John's troop paraded last Friday evening. All of the scouts were given instruction in Morse and Semaphore signalling and physical exercises. On Saturday the troop journeyed to Roy's Gully, where cooking, tracking, and the scouting game of "flag raiding" formed the programme of work.

The official uniform, and that which is now being recognised by the New Zealand •Government, is all khaJri. Another organisation is tb wear our uniform, with the exception that members wil? wear blue shorts', and orders have therefore been issued that all troops having members parading in blue shorts must have them changed as soon as possible for khaki. A few of the officers in this district are wearing a military type of hat, and Colonel Cossgrove says this must not be done. None but the regulation "B. P." hat must be worn.

The school sports and the inclemency of tho- weather mterfored with the attendance of tho All Saint's troops on Saturday afternoon last; but, notwithstanding this, good work was done by the scouts in ambulance. Most of tho members have now completed their eourso of instruction for the second class badge, and will shortly bo owners of the_ badge in question. During tho parade, which was held in the trooop's hall, one of the scouts lent variety to the programme by giving some pianoforte selections. It is gratifying to know that most of the troop commanders are now paying more attention to the training of their scouts in the scouts' laws. Colonel Cossgrove euggoste that the law bo repeated at every parade, and that -it be constantly brought under the notice of the scouts that they are expected to perform at least one good turn daily, j Splendid results have followed tho introduction of this scheme. In addition to the gifts received by ffce Dunedin West-Central Battalion last week, further donations have been made by Mr and Mrs John Roberts, who have become honorary members of this corps. Mr G. R. Herciis has also given a handsome contribution to tho funds of this battalion.