BOY SCOUTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143672, 16 December 1911, Page 3

BOY SCOUTS.

The Boy Scouts movement is one which merits a generous mead of public sympathy and support. Since its inception by General Baden-Powcll, soon after the Boer War, it has 'increased: in favour, both with the boys themselves, their parents, who recognise its value, both morally, and physically, and with th©’ general mass of the public, until to-day the institution has extended, not only throughout the British Colonies and Dominions, but also to foreign countries as well. The rules and regulations laid down for the guidance of members are calculated to bring out all that is chivalrous and generous in a boy’s nature. It was unfortunate that the entertainment, clashed with the breaking-up ceremony of the High School, which naturally kept a largo number away. The theatre was fairly well filled, but what,the audience lacked in numbers they 'fairly made up in enthusiasm. In tlio first part of the progranfmo Miss Florence Ward sang “A perfect day” very nicely, giving as an encore ‘‘Cabbage roses,” which was also well received. A farce, entitled “Wanted: A Confidential Clerk,” by the Scouts, was screamingly funny, and received unstinted applause. The performers in this act were: Sergeant T. Corldll, Leaders H. Jenkinson, J. Drury, G. Bradbury, E. Skelton, and K. Milne, and all sustained their parts with success.' Mr. Johnson’s rendering of the “Bandoliero” was very good, and he gave the ever popular “Long live the King” in response to a clamorous encore. Miss Ainsworth’s “She is far from the land” also was well received, and she surpassed herself in her second effort, ‘Summer rain” (an appropriate one, by the way), in which her high notes were very clear and musical. “Coach and four,” by the boys and girls, was a very pretty item, about 20 children taking part iu it. The coach was represented by four girls with Japanese parasols bending down and twirling the parasols, which represented the revolving wheels. Four boys harnessed in front were driven by a small boy perched on the back of a tail boy, the driver wearing a “bell topper” and keeping his team, well in hand. They marched round the stage singing, and the effect was excellent. Li the second verse a motor car was substituted for, the coach, and a motor cap and goggles for th© “bell topper/ 1 while the “horn 1 played a prominent part. In the second half of the programme, Mr. Haslam sang “Young Tom o’ Devon” and “I hear you calling me.” He was in good voice, and his songs were well received. Mrs. Grant recited: a pathetic little piece, her elocution being good hut her voice hardly strong enough for the large building. Scout Lealand’s “Drummer Boy” was a popular item, and he had to "repeat the,last verse as an encore. “The Obstinate Family,” a farce, was the final item, and was well staged under the direction of Mrs. Fred. Watson. Mr. C. Webster as Henry Harwood, Miss L. Fitzherbert as Jessie (hie wife), Mr. N. Arden as Harwood (father-in-law), Miss W. Webster (mother-in-law), Miss K. Watson (maid) and Mr. S. Burgess as (the butler) all sustained their parts quite naturally, and added materially to the success of the entertainment. The Scoutmasters wish to thank those laides and gentlemen who helped to make the evening pass so pleasantly, Misses Ward and Ainsworth who sang, and Mrs. Grant who gave a recitation, Messrs. Johnson and Haslam for their vocal contributions, and Mrs. Wood and the Royal Orchestra for their excellent performances, Mr. Hoffmann for the loan of the piano, and Mies Warren the accompanist. It is intended to make the affair an annual one.