BOY SCOUTS

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6544, 15 November 1924, Page 4

BOY SCOUTS

o COMPETITION AT SHOW One of the most pleasing competitions at the Show’ on Thursday was the one in which a number of teams of Boy Scouts competed for a cup and medals. The executive is to be heartily congratulated upon introducing this competition into the programme, and it was most gratifying to realise that no less than seven teams took part in this exhibition of stretcher drill and first aid-to the injured. The entries included teams / from Ma’tamata (2), Hamilton (2), Manawaru (2), and Waharoa (1). The judging was left to Dr. Gordon and he.had associated with him two capable stewards in Messrs James and Henry Ward. The resuljt of the competition was that team was placed first and- the two 'teams from the more recently formed Manawaru troop occupied second and third places, a very youthful Hamilton team, was complimented by the judge on its good ftrork too. Each team in rotation performed the- assigned task of loading and unloading a stretcher .with a disabled victim of an imagin-. ary serious and tfyen proceeded individually to render fist aid to an apparently drowned comrade, and to supposed sufferers from.a fractured collarbone, a broken thigh, and a bleeding wound of the forearm. The teams were in each case under the of one of their own leaders and their smart appearance and keen 'workmanlike methods reflected great, credit on their scoutmasters who were present to view the work of their pupils in public; and there can be no doubt that there was intense interest taken in the bpmpetition by the spectators. - The president of the Association, Mr R. Burke, congratulated the Scouts on their work, and with a few appropriate remarks presented the medals to the winning team amid the cheers of their less successful competitors. The Matamata troop under Scoutmaster Gonnoliy, has thus got “one leg in” for the handsome Challenge Cup, which had to be won optright by three victories of a like nature. After the presentation, Dr. Gordon kindly gave a few hints to the scoutmasters with a view to seuring an even bettcer display next year.