THE Boy Scouts

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15970, 12 November 1919, Page 8

THE Boy Scouts

THE “BULLETIN.” In consequence of the fact that many district officers have failed to distribute the rolls of “Bulletin” sent to them each month during the past three years, the Chief Commissioner seriously contemplates ceasing its publication. It has cost headquarters a considerable expense as well as much labour to complete and send out one thousand copies' each month to district and provisional officers. It was hoped that the “Bulletin” would keep country and other troops in touch with headquarters and be a medium for the circulation of headquarters notices. Scores of inquiries are received at the central office for information upon subjects which are explained thoroughly in the “Bulletin,” and when copies containing the information asked for are posted to Scoutmasters they reply that the “Bulletins” are'not issued to them, and ask that they be sent direct. This, of course, is quite impossible with the staff employed and with the limited funds at -headquarters’ disposal. Arrangements will probably be made for the leading newspapers in each town and district throughout the Dominion to publish a monthly column of Scout notes from headquarters, and although the amount of news given will be less than onethird of what is supplied by the “Bulletin,” every Scoutmaster at least will have an opportunity of seeing the notes and notices intended for him. In some provinces the _ “Bulletins” have been distributed faithfully and both troops and officers look forward to their appearance each month, _ but unless they reach the great majority of the Scoutmasters it is useless to carry on. . . The failure of/'bo many Commissioners to send in the “Z” census forms within the specified time has prevented the Chief making out his return for the Imperial Council this year in time for the annual report. The first # return to hand was from Miss Wilson, provincial secretary for Wellington North Scout province. This province is in a flourishing condition, there being between 400 and 500 Scouts and officers there. The next to come in was from Marlborough, which is now in a more prosperous condition than it has ever been. The No. 2 District, Christchurch, known as the Diocesan Troop, has a roll of over 500 Scouts and officers—a most creditable return indeed for a single district. This is due chiefly to the enthusiasm of the Eev. P. Carrington umd to his district secretary, Mr Marlowe, who is nothing if not thorough. Mr Daniell, Deputy-Commissioner for Wellington South, reports that several new troops are being formed in the province, two in the city and two in the country. The Chief Commissioner has not yet succeeded in securing the services of a suitable Commissioner for this province, but hopes to succeed before the end of the year. In the meantime Mr Daniell is carrying on. Mr W. H. Newton, Commissioner for Thames, is recommending the Eev. Mitchell, lately returned from the front, as District Commander. Mr Mitchell was a successful and popular District Commander at Kaiapoi, and if he gives the Thames boys a taste of the treks he gave his Kaiapoi Kiwis they will have some useful and interesting experiences. A narrow escape from drowning occurred near Napier last week. A hoy was standing on the river bank watching some companions bathing, when another boy, unaware that he could not swim, pushed him in. Before his position was realised he had gone under for the third time. A Boy Scout dived in and rescued the lad, who was brought to by means of artificial respiration. BIEL PEACE SCOUTS. Miss C. Harvey, of Shannon, has a fin© company of Girl Peace Scouts, and is now forming a troop of “.Fairy Scouts.” Other troops are in the course of formation in Wellington North province. The chief difficulty here, as elsewhere, is competent women to lead. Mr Daniel, Girl Peace Scout Commissioner for Wellington, reports that the Lower Hutt troop has lost its Scoutmistress, but that the committee is looking about for a competent successor. A new troop has been started at Wadestown and another at Kiibimie,

Colonel and Mrs Cossgrove are taking steps to have the Girl Peace Scouts’ Association incorporated. The papers are already with the Registrar and a Dominion Council of prominent ladies is being formed, but more of this anon.

One sunny afternoon an English girl was walking over one of the many bridges that cross the Seine in Paris. She noticed a young woman leaning over the parapet in a most despondent manner. *She had a feeling that the girl intended to drown herself, so she turned, aside, and asked the girl in a kindly way if she were ill. After’ a short time the girl was overcome by the stranger’s kindness, and, bursting into tears, admitted that she had come to the river to drown herself. The English girl expressed sympathy for her, and said that though life looked verydark just now, there was much that was good and beautiful in it, if only looked at in the right way. She went on thus from one thing to another, until the girl became quite interested, and before they parted tlfe wonld-be suicide thanked her for her cheery comfort, and promised to go back home and face her troubles bravely. This she. did, some years afterwards, when the English girl was married, she received from the girl in France.a wedding gift —a handsomely engraved silver tray, on which were the words: “In grateful re■nemherancc of cheery and comforting words when the world looked -very dark.” It will be seen from this howmuch need there is for one to keep one’s eves open, and notice those who need svmpathy, to take them out of themselves. and give them something else to think about.

BULLS SOCIAL HALL.

SUCCESSFUL OPENING FUNCTION

The new Social Hall, which through the kindness of Sir James and Lady Wilson has been provided for the benefit of the boys and young men of the Bulls district, was opened on Friday by a free concert,. A most enjoyable evening was spent, and, in addition to local talent, a number of visitors from Wanganui went out in motors to assist. Their help was very much appreciated. Amongst these were Scoutmaster Lawrie, Messrs Taylor (Y.M.C.A. secretary), Eersley (Wellington), Wilkie, and Elliot, who contributed a great deal to the success of the evening. The large hall was filled to the doors, and many listened outside who could not find even standing room. The Bulls Troop of Scouts, numbering about 40, gave a haka of welcome and various items of Scout craft, songs and choruses, musical stave drill, and physical exercises, which were well executed and loudly applauded by the guests. Much of the success of the evening was due to the friends from Wanganui, who came such a long distance to take part. At the close of the concert, Mr Eersley gave a short address, and on this occasion a list of donations to the hall was read. A beautiful piano, presented by iiie Misses Fraser, was already in use; a chesterfield sofa from Lady Wilson, a gramaphone, which had been on active service, from Major Wilson; a Badminton set frotn Mrs Adams (Wellington), and other friends have helped towards furnishing the hall. The success of the gathering was mainly due to Miss N. Wilson, who organised it, and is to be heartily congratulated on the fine exhibition given by her Troop of Scouts. The young people of Bulls have much to thank the Wilson family for, and their noble example is worthy of emulation by prominent residents in other districts.

TACT,

One of tlio qualities so essential for a Boy Scout is tact. It is one of the most; peculiar qualities and perhaps one of the most difficult to acquire. We have all some idea as to what it means, but .are scarcely able to explain ourselves to others. Eoughly speaking, tact is file quality or the ability of saying or doing the right thing at the right time. And very often it is by not saying or doing anything at all that we may show ourselves to be the more tactful. Some poop! .3 only open their mouths to put their foot in it, as the saying go-33. However innocent they may be of any intention of offence, yet neither the innocence nor the lot "of explanation that sometimes follows will mend matters when once the unwelcome speech has been uttered. A Boy Scout’s mission in life is to make other people happy—not merely to decorate himself with badges of which we shall have something to say later on. It is the good turn done in good time and in good spirit that will show the amount of tact a Boy Scout has got. It, may bo only an “Hullo!" or a cheery “Good morning,” or It may bo any of the ordinary humdrum little opportunities that present themselves in the home or the school to do a good turn. Or it may be a case of rendering first aid to the injured, when very often the most important thing to do for the patient is to show a little tact. We may know ever such a great deal about first aid, and perhaps would like to show how cleverly we can put a bandage on, or do exactly what we are taught to do in practice upon one another, but when dealing with a patient Ire may suggest some other method which he is convinced Would give him more comfort or satisfaction. Don’t start argtfing. Be tactful, win the confidence of your patient, work out his request, and more often than not you will finish up hy doing the job as you know it should be done. The comfort of the patient is your first consideration, so don’t get fussy on a job. Business is not business, and it certainly is not tactfulness. PUTTING HK FOOT IN IT. “Wan. Jamie, that’s a gey wee spade yer working wi’; ma laddies have.bigger spunes for supping tnoir parritch wi.” Without glancing up, Jimmie replied: “Ala mannay, I dinna winder at it. judging by the enormous mouth of their father,