THE BOY SCOUTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3031, 17 April 1912, Page 34

THE BOY SCOUTS.

By Scoxjt. Scout will be pleased to receive news from Scoutmasters or Scouts, or from any person interested in the Boy Scout movement, for insertion in this column; contributions addressed to Scout to reach this office before Thursday evening. Camp is the place where Scouts learn to cook and where Scouts learn to eat. Tho moat prepared by the Scouts was a credit to their domestic capabilities. Quito a number of tho boya have passed thoir cook's tost and will be recommended for badges Commander Jones is to interview the Girl Peace Sooutmistress, and will suggest that they co-operate with tho Boy Scout movement in making the visit of the General a success. Wo aro very pleased to report that Lieutenant-colonel Cossgrove, who has passed through a somewhat serious illness, n now convalescent. Every Scout should work as ho never worked before so that the programmo of events for tho great Chief's visit will bo a success. There aro bridges to build, messages to signal, bivouacs to erect, earthworks to throw up, railways to construct, accidents to be attended to, muscles to develop, badges to win, recruits to win, tenderfoot Scouts to teach, honours to be fought for, and last, but not least, tho good name of Dunodin to bo kept untarnished. Every Scout must do his duty. Iho following is tho draught plan for tho visit of General Sir R. S. BadenPowell :—Arrivo at tho railway station at 4 o'clock; inspection of guard of honour. 4.20; Scout rully. 4.25; inspection of Scouts at work, 5.15; physical work and demonstration On the Sunday a combined church parade will be held at St. Paul's Cathedral. It is also hoped to arrange for a banouot and a conference with tho officers. The above programme is not yet confirmed, and is subject to alteration. The camp of instruction held at Morton was an unqualified success. Tho Scouts arrived at Merton at 6 o'clock, when ten was immediately prepared, after which sleeping apartment* were allocated. The reveille sounded at 5.30, followed by physical drill, and breakfast was served between 7 and 8. Earthworks engaged tho attention of tho boys in the morning, and the afternoon was taken up with boating, map drawing, and other work The timo passed all too quickly, everybody having enjoyed a pleasant holiday. Tho camp was under the direct supervision of Commander Jones. The Army and Anderson's Bav Troops, numbering 18 from each troop (36 Scouts), and two officers (Scoutmasters North" and Ilannalh) went into camn at the head or the Tomahawk Lagoon. The troop marched into camp on Thursday evening at 7 o'clock, and transported their materials, tents, etc., from the road to tho camping ground, a distance of half a mile, the whole of tho work being completed in exactly one hour and a-half. Tents were erected and Scouts made snug by 12 o'clock. The o-dors of tho day were as follow: Reveille, 6.30; breakfast, 8; inspection of tent* and parade for duty, 9; dinner, 12; rest, 1 to 2; parade. 2; tea, 5.30; last post. 9; lights out, 9.30. The site chosen for the camp was nearer the lagoon than on former occasions. Tho work of the encampment included tho_ building of a strong arched bridge, which was thrown across tho creek, and it proved its stability by carrying a large number of Scouts. A rope bridge was also thrown across the creek, under tho supervision of the leaders. The troops also erected a large pole and hoisted the Union Jack thereon.

A sergeant cf the troop expresses hU opinion of tho Scout movement as follows: • It provides a new field for sport, and develops both mind and body. It sharpens a boy's intelligence, increases his powers of observation, teaches scJf-ieliance and improves his sense of responsibility. Fresh air, exercise, and good companionship;—these tho Boy Scout enjoys, while learning to useful to himself and others. It is not a ' kid's game ' as some- people have termed Boy Scouting; it is a pleasurable pastime, which can be turned to a very good account. Scouting makes a boy think for himself and forms character. Boys learn to have confidence in themselves, and so become able to act on their own initiative. It is these characteristics which have made the successful man of to-day, a.nd yesterday People were sceptical regarding Sir Robert's scheme at first; it fact, they were inclined to laugh at his plans. Well, he laughs best who laughs last, and I am sure Sir Robert can now point to over 300,000 boys who, by following out of the plans ho first laid down, are learning to become good and useful citizens, and that number is steadily increasing."