The Boy Scouts

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18438, 23 March 1922, Page 2

The Boy Scouts

Rev. David Campbell, 42 Glasgow Street.

"YES!” AND "NO!”

Two little i words, though small they are, Are the greatest words in the world i by far; Their length is nothing, their use is all; By the way we use them we rise or fall. The words are simple, just “Yes" er I “No,” 'But they’ll darken our lives or make them glow, “Yes” to the right request, “No” to the wrong, Build up our courage, and make us strong. No one may pass through the world again Learn, boys, while young to become righteous men. Stick throughout life to this rule, and fight, With “No” for the wrong request, “Yes,” for the right. THE LOCAL ASSOCIATION. A special meeting of the Association is convened to be held in the rooms o fthe Y.M.C.A. on Friday evening at 7 p.m. Business important. TROOP NOTES BRUNSWICK TROOP. The Brunswick Troop held their .annual camp towards the end of January. Webb Bros, kindly gave permission for the camp to be held ■in a patch of bush on Tokomaru East Road. Plenty of firewood, good water and shelter were easily available. Signalling was largely practiced, as the surrounding hilts gave good view points. Some time was spent in tracking, real trails being followed through the bush. These tracks were those of deer of which there are a few in the neighbourhood. The boys did not get very close to their quarry. The best fun of all .was when parties went out eeltng.

All the boys took their turn at the work round the camp. This did not .involve much time, however, as everything was handy. An open air dining room was greatly appreciated, as it was well shaded by trees. The camp was well provisioned and meals, except one occasion when soup was made, were well cooked. Even the soup looked good and smelt good, but when the tasting came it was discovered that somebody had spilt the salt. Everyone had a double return of cocoa for supper that night. Some of the boys undertook the “Journey Test” towards the “First Class Badge.” Shortly after eight ■■o’clock the boys started off up the Tokomhru East Road towards “the bush.” Threequarters of an hour’s walk brought them to 'the top of the first hill. In another half hour the Quarries could be seen across the river and about a mile below was the river at Raorikia. From there the river twisted away in another direction and was soon last sight of. About eleven o’clock a halt was made a little past where the road subdivides. Here a small fire soon boiled the billy and all had lunch. Boots were taken off and all took shelter from the sun under some bushes. About one o'clock a start was made on the return journey. A halt was made at a house nearby where milk and water had been previously obtained. Here the thirsty ones quenched their thirst (with water) and all went on. One settler, whose horse shied as the boys went by, remarked that his horse was not used to regiments. When the boys got half-way home it was discovered that the boy who carried the axe had left it where the fire was made. As he did not relish an additional seven or eight miles tagged on to the fifteen mile journey, a horse was borrowed from a nearby settler. The remainder went on. home. During the last couple of milV, the Scoutmaster went on ahead to see how the “Tenderfeet” were getting on with the tea. Some Scouts endeavoured to keep np with him and they arrived in camp about four. Several other struggled in within a few minutes. The boy who returned for the axe failed to find it as several people had passed over the road since. There was no noise that night excepting from one of the tenderfeet who dreamt he was making cheese crates. One of the others told him to “cheese it.” On Sunday a number of visitors twere provided with afternoon tea (which they had provided themselves in the first place). On the next day, after a week’s camp the tents were struck, and not too soon, as the weaather afterwards turned out wet. Of course, all the boys were sorry to return, but they all decided they had had a real good time.

WIT AND HUMOUR. LATEST. A gentleman had been knocked down by a dog while crossing the street, and before he could get on .his legs again he was run down by a motor car. His only remark was: “Didn’t know it had a can tied to its tall.” AFRAID TO FIGHT First Boy: “You’re afraid to fight, that’s what.” Second Boy: “No, I ain’t; but if I fight you my mother’ll lick me.” “How’ll she find out?” “She’ll see the doctor going to your house.” SCOUT COLUMN. All contributions intended for this column should reach the Commissioner not later than Tuesday of *acn week.