The Chief Scout Talks

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1930, Page 9 (Supplement)

The Chief Scout Talks

THE ROVER -SCOUTS.

(By Lt. Gen. Lord Baden-Powell.) Revets who were lucky enough, as I was, to be at the Moot at Auchengilldn in August will not need to be told what tremendous strides this branch of our movement has made lately, and those of us who go to the International Moot at Kandersteg next year will have an eyeopener, I know, as to the extent of rover scouting in the world. When the boy scout idea was first put forward some twenty-three years ago, the suggestion came first in the book “Scouting for Boys,” which was published in' fortnightly parts; the organisation followed later on, and the “Rules for playing the Game of Scouting for Boys” came last of all, when experience had shown what was needed in this direction. It was just the same with 'the Wolf Cub branch, which sprouted up a few

IltltllHimitlliiHllHHlllllUHlllltlHlnitllfllttlHHHHtlinittlll* years later. It was nqt until 'the cub- : asters felt the need of them and were able to give practical suggestions for them that the rulee were, drawn up. and so it has been with the rover scout branch of our movement.

BIRTH AND GROWTH. Rover scouting started spontaneously during -the years ot the Great War, mainly to meet the needs of; fellows who had left their scout; troops as boys to join up and had returned to them as boys no longer but still 'keen, to carry on with scouting. From that, day to thia the rover scout’ branch has been gradually developing itself, feeling its way and finding its-feet. Now —some twelve yeans later—it has *.“arrived.” That js to say it has gone on increasing in numbers and keenness and in the spirit of brotherhood and service to such an extent that there is no longer any possible doubt that it has come to stay. So, as with the ricouts and cubs, the new “Rules for Rover Scouts” have been drawn up as the result of many suggestions ‘and much experience on the part of rovers and their leaders. These rules have purposely as few and as elastic ae possible and no fellow who has the true rover, spirit will find them difficult to carry out. YOURS IS THE FRESH AIR, You are lucky dogs, you Rovers, in your possession of the out-of-doors world. It gives the final touch to your freedom. You can there be free of the noise and the emoke, the second-hand air, and the sordid care of the city., Yours is the fresh air of the open, the sunshine of the blustering gale, the woodland and the countryside, the bypaths or the open road;, with your health and sinew you are masters of them all and free' to enjoy them. You are free to develop your comradeship with nature, with the birds and the blossoms, and with your fellow-men. ’ BROTHERHOOD OF THE ROAD. A The brotherhood of the road.has its happy encounters; like ships you are, that speak to each other in passing. But these are only transient - joys unless there is Service somewhere. If, in your passing, you lend a hand as well as give a greeting, then there is .solid joy to it. If your den be tho fastness from which you sally forth to deeds of chivalry and kindness, if your hi-kes be knightly seeking fOf those whom you c'-m help; then indeed you will gain, for yourselves that happiness which comes of brotherhood in service. Therefore, good luck to you, and good hiking.