EXHIBITION JAMBOREE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19691, 19 January 1926, Page 7

EXHIBITION JAMBOREE.

WONDERS OF SCOUTGRAFT. QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SCOUT. GREAT DISPLAY AT LOGAN PARK. Twelve tramloads of Boy Scouts disembarked at the. Queen’s Gardens loop yesterday afternoon, and fell in with orderly haste. The first Exhibition display had started. Led by the baud and the overseas troops the mass of knaki marched to the Exhibition, colours flying and bugles blowing. Their destination was the Sports Ground at Logan Park, where a large trowd had assembled to watch the displays of seouteraft. Erom the beginning the crowd was fascinated, and for a long time after the National Anthem had rung down the curtain, many were the remarks of appreciation and surprise which were heard in the courts as those who had witnessed the display dispersed. Proceedings began with the formation ot a semi-circle round a look-out tower 52ft in height, which had been erected by the Petone troop. The assembled scouts gave the "Rocket Yfell’’ and the Dominion haka, after which the colours were marshalled in the inner circle. The khaki-clad hundreds then rushed towards the colours yelling their troop calls, and producing an effect not unlike a Maori lamentation over the body of the dead. Then as quickly as the Bedlam had been let loose, silence reigned, and all stood at the alert. All King Scouts present were then inspected after which the trumpeters sounded ■the salute. While the troops stood at the salute the band played the National Anthem The Union Jack was then broken out at the tower, and at crosstrees were unfurled the Scout flag and the cross of St. George Meanwhile, the colours which had been at “the carry’’ were let fly. This was evidently a signal for a move. A slow movement began in the ranks and the close observer could see that all were moving m spiral fashion towards the colours. When the whole assembly was packed round the various banners, the welcome to the leaders, the “Be Prepared Chorus” was given by hundreds of strong young throats. The ceremonial sections of the programme finished with these last exercises, and at a word from the leaders all the troops squatted in orderly fashion round the look-out tower and sang choruses. The Dunedin Wolf Corps—the kindergarten of the Scout movement —under Packmaster Dorman, were seen in large numbers. Their rendering of the grand howl was very weird. Physical exercises were gone through. A very impressive ceremony demonstrated during the display was the initiation of the Cub into the glory of full Scouthood. Scouts are drawn up facing Cubs, and between them is a coloured ribbon, which is broken by the qualifying Cubs as they step into the ranks of the Scouts. After the Cub display the bugles rang out again, and the same spiral movement was used to draw the crowds from the flagpole. The multitude dispersed and then fell in in smaller groups, each of which retired to some corner where several displays of Seouteraft were given. On one corner Port Nicholson and Collingwood Sea Scouts demonstrated the rescue of drowning people by the rocket methods, with subsequent artificial respiration. „ , ... Hawera bovs gave a Red Cross display, while on their flank the Ocean Beach troop demonstrated the ancient English sport of quarter-staffing. First-aid exercises were carried out by the North Dawn, Te Rangi, lads. As the Stratford Scouts ran out lines of hose, single and double leads, one almost imagined he was watching a city fire brigade at work. The South Africans earned well deserved applause w itn their lariat spinning and roping. Orderly haste and alacrity characterised the efforts of the Pahiatua and Hawke’s Bay boys to show the defence of the camp in face of attack Bridge building by the Nelson boys surprised many to whom the Scouts’ qualifications are unknown. Away over in one corner semaphore signalling attracted a good deal of attention. . The Mornington troop was engaged m the bandaging and transportation of «i« wounded. The marching of some of the visitors from South Africa was worthy of the King's crack regiments, and was given a martial appearance by the war cries ot the Bulls troop. v ~ The Central troop, Palmerston North, cave displays of first, aid, field action and bridge-building. , When all had finished their exercises the various troops were re-formed cuiekly and smartly, in a manner speaking volumes for the discipline obtaining. Each troop was supplied with a card showing whence it came and a march past at the salute completed the most interesting display of its kind seen in Dunedin for years. Those who were privileged to see this jamboree must surely have left with a fuller realisation of what the Boy Scout movement is doing among the boys of New Zealand and tho Empire. Discipline, concentration on the work in hand and self-reliance were plainly demonstrated in all the boys' movements. The jamborees still to be held will have an added attraction now that many have had a foretaste of what the scouts have to offer in the way of amusement. CAMP NOTES. Brigadier-General Andrews (Dominion Chief Commissioner) arrived at the camp last evening and was welcomed by a guard of honour. He will remain in camp for a day or two. To-dav general leave will be granted from 9 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. and the boys will he admitted free to the Exhibition. A guard of honour of boy scouts will meet the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) on his arrival on the 4.18 p.m. express this afternoon. This evening the first swimming carnival will lie held at the Municipal Baths. Over 1000 entries have been received. To-morrow morning will be devoted to rehearsals for the second jamboree at I.Ogan Park and in the afternoon the GovernorGeneral will inspect the camp. In the evening a conference and dinner will be hold.