BOY SCOUTS' CAMP

Waikato Times, Volume 84, Issue 13067, 7 January 1915, Page 4

BOY SCOUTS' CAMP

HEALTHY AND USEFUL TRAINING Nestled between two ridges, with a grassy plateau flanked by the swiftflowing, willow-fringed Waikato River on the one hand and a sleepy rivulet banked up by a belt of giant pines on the other, snugly lies the camp of the Waikato Boy Scouts, who are at present terminating the final week of a delightful fortnight under canvass at

The Narrows. This is the fourth consecutive year the boys have gone into training, and the benefits they have derived from this annual ntiting, combined with the thorough instruction

txeived throughout the year, has

brought the scouts of this district to a state of efficiency which would be hard to surpass by any group in the Dominion. A previous issue contained a

resume of the work carried out at the camp, which obviates the necessity of referring to it here, above stating that while the boys are allowed the utmost freedom conformable with the rules of the camp, strict discipline is enforced, the boys being taught to respect their

officers, their comrades, their country, and themselves. Their boonzed limbs and hues are evidence of the good their ten days in the oj>en has done them, and they should return home better in health, spirits, and knowledge than they left. Yesterday afternoon saw a targe croud of vbitors at the camp to witness, th; 1 annual sports, which were held i.i beautiful .veather. The visitors included Mr I!. V. Bollard. M.P., and Mr K. KawMiu. S..M.

In presenting the trophies ;it tho conclusion of the athletic events, Mr |{:hvmim congratulated the officers in charge upon the excellent state of the camp, and the boys upon their appearance ami hearing. Camp lifo and training of tlio kind they wore receiving, Lie said, tended to make them healthy in mind and body, while it developed in them a Miirit of self-reliance and usefulness which was calculated to benefit themselves and their country in afterlife. A good many people had the idea that the Scout's movement was to teach hoys to go prowling round after supposed enemies and to grow up with the object of taking life. That was not so, however. The movement was essentially of a peaceful nature, hut it taught courage and self-reliance, and helping him towards success in life. Honour and courage were important parts of their lessons; hut there were two kinds of courage, physical and moral, and of the two the most important was moral courage, the ability to say "no" under circumstances met by every man and boy, and when to say it firmly moans so much. Loyalty to King and country, truthfulness and steadfastness in doing right were attributes of all good scouts. The speak.t was listened to with the closest attention, and on the completion of his address presented the prizes to the winners. He trusted they would all grow up model sons and become good and worthy citizens.

The following are the results of the different events:— 100 yds Race Scouts (14 years and under).—J. Butler 1, Lenehan 2, O'Connor 3.

100 yds Race 11 years and under).—Bob Going 1, W. Steele 2, S. Dawson 3.

Long Jump (Scouts 14 years and under).—O'Connor 1, J. Butler 2. 100 yds Handicap (Scouts 1.1 years and over).—B. Muller 1, A. Cowley 2, O. Trestrail 3.

Potato Race (open).—Arthur Cowley 1. A. Clark 2, 0. Trestrail 3.

Long .Jump (Scouts 15 years and over).—(). Trestrail 1, A. Cowley 2.

100 yds Handicap (open).—U. Miller 1. .1. Butler 2.

High Jump (Scouts 14 years and under).—l. Dempster 1. .). Butler 2. High Jump (Scouts 13 years and over). —A. Hogg 1. 220 yds Handicap (open).—K.- Miller 1. J. Butler 2, A. Cowlev 3.

100 yds Throe-legged Handicap (13 years and over). —Jackson-Park 1, H. Laver-A. Cowlev 2.

100 yds Three-logged Handicap (12 years and under).—A. Bonnett-T. Truman 1. Hoot Race (Scouts 11 yoars and under).—Stanley Peat I, T. Hell 2. Consolation Race (Scouts 13 years and under). —('. Forlies 1. Hui Donaldson 2. Champion Troop Race.—R. Miller 1. Scoutmasters' Race.—Chief Scoutmaster Muriel 1. The Marathon, tug-of-war, and other coni])etitions are still to be decided.

After the presentations, the Commissioner, Captain Bennett, announced that that was the last occasion Tie would meet the Scouts a*> their Commissioner, the Von. Archdeacon Cowie having been appointed to that position, He also regretted that they were going to lose their District Commander (the Rev. W. E. Connolly) who, lie was sony to say, was transferred to another part of New Zealand. The Scouts would suffer by the Rev. Connolly's removal, a loss that was almost irreparable. Cheers for Mr. Raw son, the Commissioner, District Commander, Scoutmasters, and Mrs. A. P. Bennett concluded a very interesting ceremony.

The camp will break up on Saturday, January 9, till which time the work wiJl go steadily on.