SCOUTING SQUIBS

Observer, Volume XXX, Issue 39, 11 June 1910, Page 14

SCOUTING SQUIBS

(Bt "8.P., JoNHMt").

[All communications for this page should be addressed to "B. P. Junior." N X. observer Office, and should reach this office not later than Monday*]

MAJOR BARTLETT has presented four watches to the Auckland Scouts for an Ambulance Competition.

, Chief Scoutmaster MoLean is starting a gymnasium in connection with the Takapuna Troop. The Takapuha Parish Hall has been secured,' iand the committee of parents and friends are providing the necessary equipment.

Scoutmaster Rust, who has had charge of the Eden Scouts for the past nine months, is taking command of the St. Matthew's troop of scouts.

The Ponsonby seniors, under Scoutmaster Woolley, proceeded to Northcote on Saturday with the intention of visiting Kauri Gully and practising bridge-building, but owing to the bad weather were forced to abandon the idea. The Northcote Troop, under Inspector Stebbihg, very kindly placed their clubroom at the disposal of the visitors, also providing tea for all the boys. After tea, various games were indulged in, and later Inspector Stebbing gave an interesting lantern entertainment, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the boys. A most interesting afternoon and evening was concluded by the singing of the National Anthem. The All Saints' Troop (Scoutmaster Campbell) had a most enjoyable day on Friday in the ti-tree country to the south-east of Mt. Eden. Dividing into two patrols, one party went ahead to try and

ambush the other on the way. After some sharp skirmishing on Mt. Eden, all had lunch, made py the scouts. Then came arhbulance' competitions between the patrols.

The event of the day was a " Red Cross Hero " race, in which some 4 of the Grange Troon joined. A scout was taken out and hidden in some thick bush to repiresent a wounded man. Then all the troop were sent out to represent an enemy. One eoout (Adjutant Veart) acted as the " Red Cross Hero," and he was given a description of where the wounded scout lay. He then set out and tried > to creep through the enemy and the wounded scout back to camp before two of the enemy touched him. In this he was successful. •■'../

The Grangers then' gave the All Saints cocoa and roasted potatoes, which were cooked on the spot < After cheers for each other, they separated. Heavy rain prevented an attack by the Grangers. AH Saints', St. Matthews, and W.Y.M-.1. on the Onehunga, Epsom No. 2 and Otahuhu troops on Saturday last, but the event has been arranged for an early date.

Mr Lyonel G. Ashton has bepn appointed Scoutmaster of the No. 1 Eden Troop.

No less than eighty-four medals have been won by scouts during the present year for life-saving. 'Truly a splendid record, and one that should help to win the scout movement many firm supporters. On Friday last the Nos. 1 and 2 Devonport Troops, under Scoutmasters Hall and liipkins, marched out to a spot a mile or so -beyond Lake Takapuna. The three troops, after receiving some instruction in camp cooking and fire lighting, spent the remainder of the day in attack and defence games. The' outing was a most enjoyable one, and was much appreciated by the scouts.

- The City Troop spent Friday »on ' the Racecourse at Devonport, where they were exercised in signalling by • Sergt. Major Dunn.'

The Chief - Scout (Lieut. Col. Cos-

grbve ; V.D.) notifies scoutmasters ' that m future the tests for the pro- •• fioiency badges will be those detailed in "Scouting for Boys" (latest edition. Chief scoutmasters may take the Tenderfoot and Secondclass examinations, but the First- . class tests must be taken by commissioned inspectors. Badges of merit can be worn by second-class scouts, and the examinations may be held by specially qualified persons appointed by the Board of Control in any district, or by the Commissioner where no controlling body exists . Hints on Scouting. A scout -' ; should remember Napoleon's maxim : " Mystify, mislead, or surprise your foe." The order giyen to a scout, or a patrol may be either : (1) To ascertain the Whereabouts of the enemy ; (2) To discover if the enemy is in a. particular tract of country ; (3) To make a field report—a detailed report—on a particular rilace, district, railway, road, river opposition. When ascertaining' the whereabouts of an enemy, the field of work will be generally wider than when finding-out whether or not the enemy is in a particular tract of country. Before starting out, a scout should obtain all the information he can about the enemy, and should make a study of the best map obtainable, so that he can pick out his best and safest route, and one also where he secures the most information. A scout should travel as light as . possible, and should keep off the main roads and avoid asking questions from passer-by T as one of these may be friendly to the" other side.

A scout'should never travel.over a tract of :open country without searching it well beforehand with his glasses, to see if he can detect any movements. ■ Think 'of the place where one jwould rest a force, if oneself were in command, and search these places well with the telescope. Follow,up each road or track with the glasses, and keep a sharp lookout , when ( nearing any watering place. • Keep the fact well in mind that your opponent knows he is being looked for, and give him credit for not allowing himself to be seen in the open. A scout should always remember that his tracks may betray him, and should therefore take precaution from time to time to leave no sign of them; .'■'''.'■'" ■■■.■'