BOY SCOUTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2921, 9 March 1910, Page 3

BOY SCOUTS.

The following message has been received from headquarters by the District Commander: "Hearty congratulations your officers, self, and Scouts for your excellent turn out and for the good impression made. (Signed) D. Cossgrove, Dominion Chief Scout."

Seeing that Easter is approaching, and some Scouts are thinking of going into camp, the following will be of interest to them:—Never choose an old camp. Always pick a camping place away from big timber; there is always danger in camping beneath them, especially gums. Pick strong, green timber for all your ridge poles and those required for swinging your cooking utensils on. They are naturally cleaner, less liable to catch fire, and will bend before they break. Should the ground be damp spread a liberal quantity of gum leaves down before you spread your blankets. Ihey make a good and safe foundation, minimise the dangers of damp, and are the most healthy things you can lie upon. '

If you are staying long in one camping place it is well to put up bush bunks. This is done by driving four forked sticks into the ground (forks, of course, upwsfrd), and! in which you piace cross-pieces. Spread top side-pieces through a couple of chaff bags, and in 10 minutes you have a. bed fit for a kine to lie upon. Take particular care of all guns in camp. Never leave them lying abouti loaded. The least knock—an explosion—' and then a funeral. Be especially careful in getting; through fences with a gun; you may come off all right yourself, but your friends may suffer. It is best for someone present to hold the gup whilst the other crosses the fence, and then hand the weapon over. A little thought on all these points will save many arc accident. In walking through bush with a gun, carry it muzzle down and the hammer down. It is often better to miss a bird through not being ready than to kill one of your friends who is not ready also. Pea rifles want especially careful handling. Never trespass unnecessarily ont private property. If you want particularly to see anything, ask the owner, andl you may be sure of getting permission to do so. It is always more pleasant to cross private lands with a passport than to b 3 chased by a bulldog. Civility at airy timo is a cheap commodity and a supply is easily carried by any scout.

.Never rush through paddocks wheresneep and cattle might be grazing. It frightens them and often causes loss" to the owners.

Always carry a pocket filter. They cost little, ana are useful if the water in tha camp is not too good. Never bathe in the heat of the day or directly after meals. The best time is early in the morning or when returning to camp after a long march. This will °nofi only refresh you, but fit you for extra work on the following day. Do not bathe in the water from which you draw your drinking supply; and, if camped on a creek, wash in the water down stream, taking care to ascertain if anv other people are camped lower down. If you do not see to this you will be givinoto other people the dirty water you are avoiding yourself.

Never use old tins or bottles you come across near camp. They may look clean, but you never know to what uses thev have been put.

Always clear a good space around your camp. It is essential in case of fire, and also keeps vermin from the tents and bedding.