SCOUTING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 13729, 20 October 1908, Page 7

SCOUTING.

A NEW GAME FOR BOYS. Major D. Co»*grove, of Christchurcb. is ecoding round tb« following circular latter, .to commend to those interested in tbe welfare of onr boys, General BadenPoweilV wrbeine- for the moral, pbrnkal and mental uplifting of town ami count ry laito. In thin scheme, any six l>oy» tan form 2 patrol, one of whom is chosen leader. The patrol* take the name of some animal , whose call tbey learn to uiitate as a signal to call up each other during their games. They hate a salute and a secret »igo. and they lake an oatb on their honour. Tbey "p'onuse tn "**■ ' u yal ■" liu "' and the King, to help other people u( all times and to obey the Scouts law. Every Scout is put on bis honour, and when b* says " t»u niy Imuollr it k> true." he is U» be believed'. Should a Scout break bin honour or tell ale, he loses h*. badge, that *», he loses, bit litV. uud can ■erer receive it again. The organisation » run by the boys themselves, the JS<n who act 3t» Scoutmasters merely guiding them in their games. play» and exercses. Indeed, a smart boy can foim his own patrol, and with (Jeneral Badcn--I'yweU's handbook "Scouting for Boys," be can instruct hi* patrol and teach them many scouting and tracking game*. In these games the boys find an outlet fur their supertiouti animal spirits, which from want of direction too often ilevelop into Lurkiniscn and bad citizenship. The scheme U a blending of nature Study and chivalry applied to the boy's daily life. The knowledge of woodcraft which he gains it of incalculable benefit to him in whatever occupation lie may be engaged, and the lessons in chivalry which be receive* tit bim for the highest portion* in the land. All that is good and n>>l>Kin the boy's character is apiwaled to. He is taught to regard a lit* ur deception -t> ri* refuge of a coward, and unU-cutniug in a Scout. If be U to be successful in his competitions, he must be nirun;: in mind and body, hence he ban u« time for penny dreadfuls, for tobacco or for liiiuur. A a-ck Scout i» useless, •»• be »tudies deep breathing and physical culture. He must keep bis eye» open and hirv mouth shut, so be become* observant. He cultivates the faculty of teeing things: Ik- not in* the detail*, be become* axact. Whtn i-i doubt about a course of arii'iu. lie asks himself. '"What is my duty!"' no! •• What is be»t foe me?" but '"What « l«e>t lot others!" H* is thiv.i!ioi«> towards women and children, ami helpful tu the Ml'i lUtirm. Hr tu* a kn>>c in hj;« hand sVrjchief to remind kins that h- mutt tto > guild turn to touteone «v*ry day. Hi« anOttw i« "" Be prepaird." |J» i» prepar.d for every emergency, ii.nvr l( u*i.:}j lie • never taken at a disadvantage. All lii» training auk->. h>m a good uun and .1 ,'•,.,.1 citivn. and b : * own >uub,< in hfe >*■ comes a««ured. General Baden I'owtll. in wriim- <>• tnva this subject, lays. —" TL~ hli-iik ha*

already during the past three months Income most popular and widespread at Home, and is being taken up in Canada and South Africa. ... ,1 shall be glad to bear from you' when you have had time to consider the scheme in details, and I sincerely hope you may be able to make a start 'with it in Xew Zealand." In order therefore to bring the movement- into line with that of the Motherland, I shall be glad to receive from Scoutmasters or leaders the names of any patrols and troops*, that are formed or are being formed, to enable me to get into touch with tbem. as well as arrange for the name* of successful competitors for Scout badges and honours list, to be forwarded to the General—our Chief Scout —hV the proper manner. Let me again commend this Kjbeme to the favourable notice of my fellow-colo nists, who, at little expense in time or money, may do much to help on the mrst popular and forward movement that has ever been tried for the making up of a nation.