SCOUTING

Thames Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 18486, 30 October 1917, Page 2

SCOUTING

VISIT OF CHIEF COMMISSIONER

After 1 an interval of a little more than two years, Lie|uifc.-Colonel C'ossigrove, V.D., H.S.W., who is at the head of the Boy Scout movement in the Dominion, and who a* the originator of Peace Scouting for Girtei, as the "Chief Peace Scout," has just completed an official visit to Thames.

GIRL PEACE SCOUTS. This fine- troop assembled for inspection last might in th© Mackay St. Methodist Hall. The Chief S.M., Mra Clarke, assisted by S.M. Miss Mill, was in charge of a muster of 49 G.P.S, "The 1 D.S. (Mrs S. U. Ferguson), D. Trees. (Mrs Gleeson), the D. Examiner (Miss Wishart), and the Provincial Corninissioneir (Mr W. H. Newton) were also present. After- the formal reception the patrols were separated and inspected in turn, -while they tied the prescribed iknotsi and administered "first aid" to pnitieiltsi with injuries.

Upon the reforming of ranks!, the Chief' Peace Scout warmly congratulated the girls upon the proficiency, shown, and trusted that they were truly grateful to the instructors for the time they had devoted so sucoefesfully to thean.; He pointed out) that although the Peace Scout work was intended to give pleasure to those; partaking in it, its ultimate aim was to* enable girls to develop "into more useful and better women in ©very way. The knowledge: they could acquire of elementaiy first aid, of nursing, of home and sick cooking, of the care of babies, and so on, was such that it might easily eauable them to dea.l with emea'genciieSi, and might quite conceivably be the means of sa.ving life. Alxne all he urged them diligently to ;study the great Book of Nature. In conclusion he tendered his own best (tihanks to ail who had assisted in the formation and . organisation of the Troop, and very specially tliosie who ware doing the work —a miuoh needed work —among the girls.

BOY SCOUTS. Accompanied by the Provincial Commissioner, Colonel Cossgjrove then proceeded to the National Reserve hall to inspect tihe scouts , and junior-scouts who,. under' the D.C., Dr. Lapraik mustered' over 100 all told.

Led by t-lie Chief Scout 'Master '"' Zieglei*, tlie troops gave the officers the usual "llaaigatira" welcome; followed' by ■"their own war bay—^bpth beingl given in excellent .style; j A very fine display ,of ftremefri'*s work, arranged by S.M's Jenkin and ■j Goutts, followed. .Colo'iii-ed lights glowing through, canvas walls gave' a

realistic representation of a burning house where- ■ inmates liom upstair-si and downstairs -were rescued by firemen, who used the orthodox "lift, ' or dragged' them out in the preiscribad manner, and handed' them over to the Ambulance Brigade for reteiusototion, while the rest of tne scoutigi kept' the crowds back. A special word oi praise ■ is due to the youthful firemen who coupled 1 up in such excellent time that the fir© was quickly subdued!* 1

After a close inspection of the troops, the Chief Commissioner, addressing the officers and boys, said that he was absolutely delighted wifli the surprise display they had # given him. He had paid so many visits of inspection that'he had thoughtt iio troop could show him something so unique. He congratulated all concerned upon the progress in numbers and in efficiency the troop had made in the past two years, and asked the B.C. and his officers to accept, from him on behalf of the Dominion Council, heartiest congjiiatulkitions and sincere thanks for the great interest they were taking in the boys.

He also said he was specially pleased to see such a la.rge attendance of parents and the general public, for the proceedings 1 that night "would demonstrate that "scouting" was very useful work, albeit in part, at least in the form of play. ' .

The troops were dismissed aftufc 1 the usual recital of the Scout Pvomise and Law.