DOMINION BOY SCOUTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1873, 6 October 1913, Page 11

DOMINION BOY SCOUTS.

Saturday week last was one of tho busy days of a Wellington Boy Scouts' career. There wero four important competitions decided, namely: Marching and squad drill, physical drill, Association football, and tho neatost scout on parade. In these competitions, Roseneath troop won the majority, with Kolburno troop second. In tho afternoon tho football final was flayed between Kelburne and St. Thomas s troops, tho former winning by 8 goals to 1, and in tho evening tho other competitions wero decided before a number of paronts and friends at tho the i Drill Hall, Bucklo Street; SergeantMajor Parkes boing the judge. In the marching and squad drill com-, petition, Roseneath troop won with 90 points ..out of a possible of 100, Kelburne coming second with 75. In tho physical drill competition the Roseneath squad again won, with 05 points out of 70, tho Kelburne and Presbyterian Orphanage troops coming second, equal, with 59 points. The neatest scout selected by the Ser-geant-Major was Scout G. Nelson, pf the Roseneath troop. That tho Roseneath 1;roop did so well in these competitions reflects > great credit on the Scoutmaster (Mr. W. A. Smith) and all the lads in tne team, as the troop is one of the smallest in Wellington, having only 14 members. In view of tneir recent successes, the following outline of the history of tho Roseneath troop may prove interesting: The troop was founded in Juno, 1909, the presont scoutmaster being one or the founders. Dr. M'Gill first took chargo of the troop, but in September of that year he recoived a higher rank, and Mr. H. Munro took charge. Tho progress of the troop then steadily increased, and before the end of the year the troop was one of tho largest and best in Wellington, and had a band that any troop might well be 'proud of. Owing to pressure of business, Mr. Munro resigned in Juno, 1910, and his loss was deeply regretted. However, Mr. S. F. M'Lean, his successor, proved a good officer, and for some months longor the troop still maintained its high standard.

Near the end of this year, however, the elder boys became over ago, and had to leave, and the strength and effi-, ciency of the troop greatly deteriorated. In November the troop won tho Shelter Building Cup, and shortly after Mr. M'Lean resigned. For over a year the troop continued the scouting without an officer, Patrol Leader W. A. Smith taking charge. In November, 1911, tho troop won the shelter building competition at the New Zealand Competitions, and a week later successfully defended tho Shelter Building Cup. Early in 1912 Mr. Beckett took charge, but a few months later he left to tako charge of the Island Bay troop, leaving Mr. Marsh in charge.! Mr. Marsh also left a month or so later, and the troop was once moro left in chargo of Patrol Leader Smith, who subsequently became scoutmaster. On November, 1912, the troop entered two Shelter Building teams in the New Zealand Competitions, and they gained first and second places, the cup being retained unopposed. From time to time tho troops has engaged in many camps and week-end tramps, which have proved very instructive, as well as enjoyable. ' The troop has not existed over four years without doing its share of "good turns." Two past members wore instrumental in saving persons from drowing; and quite recently the troop took a very active part in the Citizens' Carnival, and also nt the unfurling of the Scots Hag at the Roseneath School. A few weeks ago the troop did a "good turn" which perhaps makos a fitting preface to last Saturday week's successes. At tho Roseneath Presbyterian Church bazaar the troop took charge of tho side-shows and also the provision stalls, and tho revenue derived surpassed all expectations. Although a small troop, their general bearing is of a most praiseworthy nature, each' and every lad endeavouring to retain that much coveted placo— leading the parade and carrying the Wellington banner.