B.B. NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22727, 1 November 1935, Page 5

B.B. NOTES

“Haversack.”)

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The Annual Meeting. The Dominion Conference at Dunedin was attended by a representative gathering. Delegates were present from Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, Canterbury, South Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Five members of the Southland Battalion Council were in attendance. Dominion Officers. Mr F. Scott Miller, at present in London, was reappointed chairman, and Mr R. H. Hill, secretary. Mr J. W. Clarke, formerly of Invercargill, and now of Christchurch, was appointed a vice-president; Messrs J. H. Boyd, A. M. Branks and F. H. Lambeth were elected as representatives of the Southland Battalion on the executive, and Mr W. J. Lennon was one of the three co-opted members of the executive. A Management Committee of seven was appointed, including Mr Boyd. Messrs W. R. Selwyn and Branks were elected to the Life Boy Committee. 8.8. Week.

As a result of Southland representations it was decided to make it optional whether companies sent one-third or half of the 8.8. Week collections to headquarters.

Doing Your Best. At this time of year thousands of boys are entering for examinations in many of the interesting and useful subjects in the 8.8. programme of training. No 8.8. badge or certificate can be gained without hard work and boys should remember that in winnnig any award they are bringing credit to their company as well as to themselves. Tj/y, therefore, not only to pass your tests, but aim at scoring the highest possible marks so that you can enjoy that good feeling that you have really done your level best. The more you put into your service in the 8.8. the more you get out of it and the keener you are the happier you will be.

The Busy Season. Again the season of displays, demonstrations and inspections approaches, and it- is well to remember that these events afford a splendid opportunity of stimulating enthusiasm and interest. Especially during this year when there are so many big events in prospect, we want everything that we undertake to be the best of its kind ever held. In the midst of our plans and preparations let us nev£r lose sight of the object of all we do in the 8.8. Our purpose is the moulding of the lives and characters of our boys after the example of our Great Captain. All 8.8. activities must centre on this. We dare not give less than our best when we think of the goal at which we aim. The combined concert of the 4th and sth Invercargill Companies will be held next week. This is not the annual demonstration, but will include items by the boys.

Camping Days. Forty-nine years ago The Boys’ Brigade led the way in organized camping for boys, when Sir William Smith took the Ist Glasgow Company to the Kyles of Bute in 1886. What a wonderful development there has been since then! A 8.8. camping holiday is the finest a boy can have. The long happy days in the open with his own particular pals will long be remembered. The camps will be in full swing in a few weeks. Efforts should be made to ensure that every available boy goes to camp this year. The old adventurers will need no persuasion, but perhaps some recruits may be trembling on the brink, fearful of the unknown. Let them know what they are missing! Once they have been under canvas there will be no holding them back in future. Southland companies report that application forms are coming in steadily. Let “Haversack” have complete lists by next Wednesday, please.

Roll Along Covered Waggon. Instead of the usual camp this summer a Dublin company tried rather a unique experiment. They secured a caravan and three other horse-drawn vehicles which were converted into covered waggons by means of tarpaulins thrown over a wooden frame. In these the party, numbering 27, spent an interesting ten days exploring County Wicklow. The caravan proper was used as a store and cookhouse, while the other waggons were used for sleeping in unfavourable weather. During their novel tour the party met with great kindness and found no difficulty in getting the use of fields at night for “parking” purposes, and everyone agreed that this novel kind of 8.8. holiday had been a huge success.

SANDY McHAPPY’S CAMP COLUMN Make a point of being at Kaka Point. * « « « A Tentative Suggestion. “Those guys next door need taking down a peg.” « » ».<. * * Dear Readers, —I have had a lot of

really nice letters this week, wishing me all sorts of luck, and sending me ever so many nice presents. Especially I have to thank Willie W. for his gift of a baby elephant. It will come in useful to play with on. the sand at Kaka Point-Sandy.

Answer to a Correspondent. Mrs McTavish: Certainly, Missus, make Willie put on his heavy undies. It is sometimes chilly in the tents at night. His captain has no right to forbid your son to take a piece of bread and jam to eat on the train. I’m taking one myself.

Camp Craft. These are two extracts from examination papers for the Camper’s Badge: “There should be a pit dug for the cook, about six feet long, three feet deep ” “Boys’ tents should be pitched as far as possible from the officers’ tents so that the officers do not disturb the boys at night.”

* * * * The adjutant called up the tent commander and spoke of the slovenly appearance of one of his squad. “He looks dreadful, sergeant.” “Yes, sir.” “Are you sure he washes?” “Yes, sir, but he dries a bad colour!”