BOY SCOUTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3115, 26 November 1913, Page 6

BOY SCOUTS.

["Scoutmasteh” will be pleased to receive refiorts of parades and other items of interest for nsertion in this column. . luty should be left at the oßlce of the Otago Daily Times not later than noon on Mondays. 3 In the July number of the London Headquarters Gazette, the Chief Scout records a remark made by the Archbishop of York. Talking about the Boy Scout movement, ho said ; “A motor cannot run over a chicken without a Boy Scout being- there to render first aid.” That was spoken of the Boy Scouts at Home, but wo hope and believe that a similar remark may be attributed to New Zealand Boy Scouts. Ambulance is the most important part of our training, and it should accordingly be given a very prominent place. Kent, England, has now its groups of scouts in every village and hamlet organised for coast-watching, and for the transmitting of messages from any part of tiic coast up' to London by means of relays of runners or cyclists, and by signallers on the different high points. This system, if carried out in New Zealand, might be of great value for sending news of fires, accidents, and robberies, etc-., and it gives scoutmasters and scouts usefid practice and an aim to train for. With a network of scouts throughout the dominion, many useful exorcises are possible. At the great Boy Scouts’ Exhibition, hold in Birmingham, many foreign scouts were present. '1 ho Spanish boys, in the course of a letter to headquarters thanking the British people, and especially the scouts, for kindness extended to them, stated: ‘‘Spain and the whole world owe an immense debt of gratitude to the illustrious creator of the Boy Scout movement. Lieu-tenant-general Baclon-Powcll, and to the great British Empire, which has so magnificently followed his lead. In the name of Spain, and of the 8000 Spanish scouts, whom wo represent, wo cry with enthusiasm, ‘Long live England.’” The Chief Scout (Lieutenant-general Sir K Baden-l’o .veil), in condemning camp raiding, used the following words: “These camp raids arc just what the youngest tenderfoot enjoys—that is, to sneak in and hag something out of the other fellow’s camp when he 1.-ast expects it. It almost always leads to bad feelintf. because there is nothing that makes a fellow more angry than to be beaten in an underhand way; there is no fair play in camp raiding, and there are no proper rules. A good match at ‘ Flag raiding ’ or ‘Camp taking,’ under rules as given in ‘Scouting for Boys,’ is

an excellent practice, and very exciting to both sides. The best men win, and there is not the slightest ill-will afterwards. Scouts are all brothers to each other, and I hope they will not forget it, and that camp-sneaking will not again be indulged in by any scouts.” At the monthly meeting of the Dominion Council’s Executive, held on the 7th mst., at Christchurch, a letter was read from the Australia authorities inviting some of the New Zealand Bov Scouts to take part in the Australian rally to bo hold on January 17. Although not much time is allowed for making arrangements, yet it was decided that New Zealand should bo represented by two patrols, one from each Island. Colonel Cossgrove has been in communication with the Union Steam Ship Company with a view to obtaining concessions in the matter of fares, and the general manager has the question before him now. It is estimated that it will cost £lO to £l2 per boy for all expenses, and it was thought that where the movement was strongest there one or two should be picked. Expenses could be met by giving concerts or displays. The Dominion Council is drawing up a revised set of rules to govern the competition for the King’s Standard. It was thought that the present regulations were not suitable for the conditions that apply in the dominion. Colonel Cossgrove is also in touch with the Government with the object of bringing out to Now Zealand Boy Scouts from the Homeland, who might be placed on farms in the dominion, and thus help to supply the present much-necdcd want. The Mosgicl Patrols had an excellent attendance at their weekly meeting on Friday. The work was, of necessity, of an elementary nature, consisting of the scouts’ law. knotting, and the composition of the Union Jack. The discipline was exceedingly good, and competition was keen for first place, marks being awarded for the various branches of the tenderfoot test. These marks go towards a prize, to be presented before Christmas. On Saturday the first afternoon parade is to be held, and as arrangements have boon made to have a popular scouting game, everyone is eagerly looking forward to the outing. The lads have now obtained the use of an excellent club room, now boys are enrolling every week, and as every member is thoroughly keen it is hoped that a very efficient troop will soon be in existence in Moegiel. Scoutmaster ” is glad to hoar such encouraging news from Mosgiel. He sincerely wishes the lads the best of good fortune; they most certainly deserve it. Any information “Scoutmaster.” can furnish towards helping the pafrols will bo gladly given.