DOMINION BOY SCOUTS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1360, 22 June 1918, Page 7

DOMINION BOY SCOUTS.

TBy Black Chief.] A word of prsiisc is due to those boys of the Sydenham Troop and the Drum and liugle Hand who turned out in such strong force at the Addingtou Methodist Church Troop's special parade. Sergeant-Major Cox had charge of tin- Sydenham lads. On paying a visit to the Avonside Troops at one of their recent parades, I noticed that tile leaders of the various patrols are having more responsibility placed on their shoulders, especially regarding (he efficiency of Hie members of those patrols. They have a sergeant who will, on no consideration, have any nonsense, and he has given the boys to understand that they come there to learn Scouting duties, and to take notice of what he teaches them, and also to practise the same at home. The following are the positions of the various patrols, according to their all-round efficiency:—lst, Buffalo Patrol (under Leader A. Mcintosh) ; 2nd, Kea Patrol (under Leader ('.. Moore); 3rd, Kiwi Patrol (under Leader E. Mcintosh). Last Saturday evening the little lads of the Cygnet Patrol (Bull Pups), Avonside Troops, were examined in the Tenderfoot and Second-class tests, and all passed with splendid results. Leader Bonnie Adams is indeed proud of the boys under him. The Merivale Troops are having splendid attendances at their weekly parades, and some good, useful work is being got through. The keenness of Chief Scoutmaster Collins knows no bounds, and the boys of Merivale are exceptionally fortunate in having such an earnest and enthusiastic young man as their olllcer.

Once again I would impress upon officers of troops that they should go down to the parades of their troops with a definite object as to what -class of duties they arc going to give the boys for the evening. Boys ;ire complaining that they are kept standing about for quite a long period before being given any duty to perform. Xow this is detrimental to the success of any troop, and should be remedied at once. On Wednesday, Nurse Maude's Day, I noticed the following Scouts on active service: —Avonside (Bugler Sandford, Scouts A. Bevan, K. Richards, and Jackie Broward); Cambridge Terrace (Scouts Diebl and Stevens). These boys were at their posts

at 8.11(1 a.m., and came off duty at about C> p.m. Needless to say, their unselfish help was much appreciated Ijv those in authority. The Last Belt Troop will he in need of a Scoutmaster, as Scoutmaster Olds has bee-i classed as fit lor active service. Mr .las. Clemens. District Secretary or the Christcliurch No. 1 District, has been called up in the recent ballot. Chief Scoutmaster Clark. 5.0.M.. had a good turnout of the St. Albans troop on Wednesday night. The following comprised the evening's work:—Knotting, names and uses: Kiwi Patrol (Leader Callaghan). Compass reading: Lion Patrol (Leader Sutherland). Signalling: Hawk Patrol, Owl Patrol (Leader Clark). The Linwood Troop have at lasl got another Scoutmaster in Mr Stephen Williamson. From reports, the troop from now on should revert to its old position of being one of the standard troops of the city. Sergeant Len Comer is to be specially commended for the way in which he stuck to his self-imposed task of keeping the Troop together during the period in which they had no Seoul master. The Boys' Gordon Hall Troop, under Assistant Scoutmaster Turner, is coming along in splendid fashion. The lads are asked to back up their new officer aud give him every encouragement.