The Boy Scouts

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144086, 3 May 1913, Page 4

The Boy Scouts

By Scoutmaster*

District Commissioner, Mr. F. G. Kilnbell, Havvera; District Commander, Rev. J. A. Kempthorne, New Plymouth; District Secretary, Mr. J, It. Sullivan; Inspectors,'Major lit W. Saudford and Messrs. G. M’Gahcy and H. C. Baker, New Plymouth; Scoutmasters, Messrs. J. R. Sullivan, H. Y. M‘Gahcy. S. J.,. Weller, and Rev. G. T. Robson (New Plymouth), W. hi. Humphrey and J. Kennedy (Inglewood'', N. D. Day and G. Mcllor (Wai-.ara/. CENTRAL BATTALION. Field Day,—We bad a very profitable field day last Saturday. As a result many ol the boys have almost completed their tests tor the first and secondclass badges. In the afternoon St. -Mary’s droop paid a visit. For an hour or so wo had most enjoyable field ■work. Address by Rev. Mr. Peat.—Last Wednesday week Rev. Mr. Peat addressed the Scouts' on “Grit, Cl race and Gumption.’’ The address was intensely enjoyed by The boys, -Mr. Peat being able to obtain and hold their interest the whole time. We wish to thank Air. Peat for bis assistance and encouragement. Progress.—The following have been successful in passing for badges:—U. Booh, IT Boon. T. Coulthr.nl for Tenderfoot ; N. Winter, Firrt Class; 11. Hodioy, Cook and Cyclist; V. Matthews," Clerk. New Scouts.—Tom Coulihr.rd was admitted as a iiciv Scout this week. There are still vacjneios for u dozen more Scouts. Church Parade.—-To-morrow there will be a" church parade at Wbitolc.v Memorial Church. All Scouts wiil please muster at the Club Room at 10.15. As all the Scouts but one have promised to attend, we hope for an excellent muster. ■ MOUNTAIN TREK. Below .is a statement of accounts of the trek expenses. Appended is a memo, from Major Saudford : Receipts-:—Fees from four Westown Scouts, 10s; fees from 15 Central Scouts, £1 17s 6d: sub. from Mr. Greiner, 2s (5d ; do. Mr. Deare, 2s 6c!; fees three Scoutmasters, Ts Cd ; food returns, T4s 4d ; subs. Scoutmasters, 9s -Id; stib. Mr. Glasgow, Ills; discount on account, 2s lOd; total, £4 16s. Expenditure.—Nicholls and Sou (food), £2 4s; West (hire of trap). £1 Kb ; park fees, £1 2s; total, £4 ICs. THANKS. I wish to thank there who so kindly helped the Scouts in their trip to Mount Egmont; also the manager-and all his assistants for their efforts to make the lads comfortable during their stay. I propose to trek to the Auckland Exhibition during the Christmas holidays, ,and estimate the cost at £2 10s. Six Scouts have already.commenced to save up for the trip. Mr. Sullivan has expressed his intention of accompanying me-, and we shall have room for a few more Scouts. Now! Who wants to see the Wanganui River, Rotorua Waihi, Thames, Auckland, and the Mokau?— F. AY. Saudford. ARCHBISHOP OF YORK A‘ND THE BOY SCOUTS. The Archbishop of York, in a talk to Boy Scouts recently said:—“l know a good deal nbo.it the Scout movement. When it was just beginning, General Baden-Rowell used to talk it over with me, and I knew very well what lie had in his mind. The' Scout movement is especially trying to stamp out one of the most evil things that anyone could suffer from, and that is loafing. The Scouts take hold of a youth and tell him that he has something better to do with bis eyes, hands, and brain. The movement breeds a sort of inner disgust

ami contempt at things which appear natural to tire untrained youth i teaches him that swearing is the most miserable form of giving impudence to the Almighty'God, and nasty thoughts and acts are simply things which a shipshape, healthy, clean-limbed lad never feels the power of.” THE MOVEMENT BOOMING IN BIRMINGHAM. The Birmingham Boy Scouts Association held their fourth annual rally in the’Town Hall recently. Lord Hampton, the Commissioner for Birmingham, and the District Commissioners were present, and also a large audience. Interesting displays were given in ambulance work, Morris and Swedish dancing, and physical drill; one troop gave a camp-lire concert and another a realistic Red Indian scone. A patrol of cooks from the Ist Acocks Green Troop gave a cooking display on the.platform, aad before the end or the evening were able to hand round plates of very excellent cakes and pastry. The Birmingham Association has now over a hundred troops with a membership of more than 3000 Scouts.

ment. He is particularly enthusiastic about the open-air life encouraged by the movement. “In America,” ho says, “it is becoming a tremendous force; wo have now -KkI.OOO Scouts, and the only reason why we have not a couple of million is that we cannot get men to command them. This is not duo to a lack of interest, but to tho fact that men have not leisure for tho work, which makes heavy demands upon one’s time. “The fruits of the movement are fine. These lads are more courteous, kindly, and respectful; they are on the alert for chances to do kindnesses, where formerly they were looking opt for opportunities to show how clever they were. My great idea now is to secure for every boy in the land a month in a summer camp. I should like to see that established in England. “Tho.movement should have a verybig future. I think it will take in the whole nation, unless it is wrecked by bad management or faulty doctrine. AVc consider in America that we have the future of the nation in our hands.”