THE BOY Scouts

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18783, 17 May 1923, Page 3

THE BOY Scouts

Commisioner, Rev. David Campbell, ’Phone 840. Deputy j Commlssioner, Captain A. C. Buist, ’Phone 13 61.

SCOUT RULES. There are three rules that Boy Scouts must obey. Ist. To fear God and honour the King. 2nd. To do good turns to other people. 3rd. To obey the Scout Law. LOCAL ASSOCIATION. The monthly meeting of the above will be held in the rooms of the Y.M.C.A. to-morrow (Friday) evening at 7 p.m. As the busincs is of an important nature all members are urged to attend. SEA SCOUTS. As an outcome of Brigadier-Gene-ral Andrew’s visit it is intended to form a branch of Sea Scouts in our town. All youths (stating age) who have their parents’ permission to join, and all gentlemen willing to assist in their training and istruction, are asked to hand in their names and addresses at the Borough Council office without delay.

DOMINION SEA SCOUT ORGANISATION. 1. Sea Scouts Is a branch of the Dominion Boy Scouts organisation intended to further develop the art of scouting. 2. The active head of all the Boy Scouts in New Zealand is the “Do minion Chief Commissioner.” 3. The council formed to control the Boy Scout movement in New Zealand is called the ‘'Dominoin Headquarters’ Council.” 4. The officer appointed l>y the Dominion Chief Commissioner*to control the Sea Scouts branch is called the "Chief Sea Scout.” 5. Tile secretary appointed by the Chief Sea Scout to conduct his correspondence, etc., is called the “Sea scout Secretary.” 6. The scoutm/jter of a troop of Sea Scouts is called the “Master.” '6. The assistant scoutmaster is called the “Mate.” 8. The sergeant of a troop of Sea Scouts is called the “Boatswain.” 9. Each patrol of a “Ship’s Company’’ is called “A Boat’s Crew.” 10. A hulk or vessel fitted up as a floating club is called “A Guard Ship.” 11. A Sea Scout patrol-leader is called “A Coxswain." 12. A Sea Scout Corporal is called “A Bowman.” 13. A first-class Scout who has passed the tests of both coastguard and seaman is called “A Leading Seaman.” 14. A second-class Scout who has passed the test for either coastguard or seaman is called “An Able Seaman."

15. A Scout of over one month’s service, who knows eight points of the compass, and can send the alphabet by semaphore, in addition to hav>ng passed the Tenderfoot tests, is called “An Ordinary Seaman.” THE NEED OF THE SCHEME. There is much need of such training now, as our mercantile marine, which ought to be the backbone of .he Royal Navy, is largely manned by aliens, and the British personnel ;s not what it ought to be, owing to the want of discipline among the man. Discipline is quite as essential m the merchant service as it is in the Royal Navy, but discipline and cheerlulness cannot be drilled into a grown-up man. I£ you wish these to lorm part of his character, you must aave them ingrained in him while he is yet a boy.

The country which relies solely on the veneer of drill-discipline will be iiable to get a rude awakening. As the British mercantile marine is al present a poor one, we do not want to train many Scouts to go to sea. At the same time, a boy trained as a Sea Scout will be much sought after by shipmasters; Indeed, the Union Steam Ship Company, through one of its officers, has already expressed its willingness to make room tor boys so trained here. Thus there is the prospect of a good opening for boys who desire to take up the sea as a profession and for gradually improving the personnel of the mercantile marine. SOME SEA SCOUT BADGES. HOW THEY ARE EARNED. BOATMAN. Must be able to manage a boat single-handed, rowing, punting, and sculling over the stern; to steer a boats under oars, and bring her alongside a vessel and landing stage. He must be able to box the compass. He must know how to tow or be towed. He must be able to distinguish the various classes of vessels by their rig. He must be able to make the various bends and hitches, knots and splices, and be able to throw a line. SWIMMER. Must swim 50 yards with clothes on (shirt, trousers and socks as a minimum), and be able to undress in the water. He must swim (without clothes) 100 yards on the breast and 50 yards on the back, with eithei the hands clasped or the arms folded in front of the body. He must be able to dive and pick up small objects fromTEe bottomSCOUT COLUMN. All contributions intended for this column must reach the Commissioner not later than Tuesday of each week.