THE BOY SCOUTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144131, 28 June 1913, Page 4

THE BOY SCOUTS.

By f Scoutmaster'

Provincial Commissioner, Rev. G. T. Robson ; District Commander, Rev. J. A. Kempt-borne; District Secretary, Air. J. R. Sullivan; Inspectors, Alajor F. AV. Sandford, G. H. APGahoy, H. C. Baker, and G. Alellor; Scoutmasters, Rev. Robson, S. L. AVollcr, J. R. Sullivan, J. G. APGrcgor, H. Y. APGahoy (New Plymouth), N. D. Day (Vv’aitara). 1 CENTRAL BATTALION. Pr ogress.—AA’e are pleased to report the following passes;—For Tenderfoot badge, H. Buttimorc, 1 " F. Cummings, C. AVay, and N. Way; for Second-class, P. Mills, O. Alolter, R. Milne, and A. Boon; for’First-class, L. Solo; for Carpenter badge, H. Hcdloy; for Pathfinder, N. AVintcr; for Cyclist, T. Scott and AV. Elliot. Next week we hope to have the pleasure of publishing further passes. BELL BLOCK TROOP. Last Wednesday the District Secretary visited Bell Block and put tbo troop on a good footing. Fourteen boys and some of tbo parents were present at the meeting. Eleven of -the boys were sworn. A patrol was formed, with AA'. Bennett ns Loader and K. Allan as Corporal. Another patrol will bo formed next week. The Bell Block Scouts are very keen. Next week the first real meeting will be held. Tho District Secretary will again be present i to give the boys the first instruction for badges, ete. NOTES. Remember the Rally in St. Alary's Hall on July 10. A big combined field-day will be hold next month. AA’ill the other troops please send in notes for this column. BOYS AA’HO HAVEAIADE HISTORY. JAMES AVATT. Every lad is familiar with at least one incident of James AA’att’s boyhood —how* he was first impressed with the power of steam by watching tbo kettle boil on his aunt’s kitchen fire, taking off tho lid, holding a spoon over tho steam and counting the drops as it condensed; and how practical-minded Airs. Aluirhend thought that Jamie was an awful slacker to spend his time in such an aimless fashion. Born in 1736, he lived until 1810, although he was so delicate as a child that no one thought ho would reach manhood. Unable to attend school, his father and mother taught him at homo; and they were wise enough to supply him with paints and carpenters’ tools. This helped to give him that "handiness” which was so useful to him later When at last he was able to go to school, our hero had rather a rough time, especially at first, for it seemed <:s if he had neither muscle nor brains. But at the age of thirteen bis mind suddenly awoke. Then for tho first time bo was introduced to geometry, and took to it as some of us take to tho water or to the football field. A little later he worked at botany, and.geology and astronomy, and made, too, when only fourteen, an electrical machine. Ho would also spend bis leisure ’time “in making miniature cranes, pulleys, pumps, and capstans.” such as he saw used ou the quays at Greenock, where hs lived. But the time came when be must go to work, so in bis sixteenth year he began to leaf n the trade of mathematical instrument making, becoming, as we should expect, a very clever workman, and finally setting up for himself in Glasgow as “James AVatt, Mathematical Instrument Maker to the University cf Glasgow ” At the ago of twenty-six AVatt Began the great work of his life. The University authorities asked him to put in order a model of Newcomen’s "fire-engine,” which had never acted properly, although it had been sent to a famous London mathematical instrument maker. AA’att soon put tho model in working order, but this was by no means the end of the matter. His quick mind soon saw the imperfections of Newcomen’s engine. Ho set about calculating and experimenting and improving. and then improving again, until In 1769 he produced and patented tho perfected engine. Thus he became, to a large extent, the founder of Britain’s commercial greatness. AA’o can all admire tho pluck of this great man. As wo have seen, he conquered his great natural disadvantages, and would not allow* his wretched health to stop him in his career as a less courageous man would have done. AA’o admire, too, his patience. AVhat be took in hand bo carried through. Thoroughness was his motto. AA’hen be . wanted to see the views of a German scientist, lr% first, learnt' Gorman, to road Ids work at first hand. Ho did the same with Italian. Ho was not in such a hurry to build bis house as to begrudge tbo time spent in laying the foundations. Ho tested and proved and tested again. Once more, wo admire his patriotism. In the year 1786, AA’ntt went with his partner to Paris. An offer had been made bv the Government of Franco of the exclusive right to erect steam engines in that country. The acceptance of that offer would have meant enormous wealth, hut AA’att declined, because it seemed to him that his own country’s interests would be thus endangered. It was this spirit of unselfishness which ho afterwards showed in declining n baronetcy from his own Government. AA’e shall all agree that his name needs no adornment. His memory is one which his countrymen will not willingly M die.