BOY SCOUTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 17, 15 October 1920, Page 9

BOY SCOUTS

DEMONSTRATION MGHT AT TOWN HAuLi.

,'Ynn see we can't take money., purine the epidemic or since a Scout might r^_ These were tho words of • uomm« sioner"' ioi -.-Scouts;-." the, -Key. .x. Feilden. Taylor,; in . at the entertainment given at, the Town Hal Wftt. pvp.nine ' the flnanciftl prooleni ins Scouts were up against. The commissioner said that their chief want was penmen for scout-masters. Ho saw . lots _of young fellows with plenty °f . time for billiards; the picsurea, ladies home, but none of them witn. time to be scout-masters, and, aU-that : . was required of them was for them to be healthy, young men who could put up with the rough spirits of boys—and e ' They wanted flity scout-maatcrs. The boys were keen enough,-and tlio Scout. mover ment would grow, but it .could not grow without the masters. . . . - ■ ■ The programme opened with a camp Bcenc in the-bush, whore, tortured bya comic orchestra, the Scouts did Btave anu dumb-bell exercises, and gave an ambulance demonstration. Then, seated round the fire, they sang various choruses,, some of which might-well have been replaced by sturdy British songs reflecting a betr tGr and truer sentiment. When it came to the signalling display, one lad , wagged" from tho stage whilst a .boy in tlie gallery, reading tne signal aloud, spelt out tho words, "Welcome to Their Excellencies, Lord and. Lady Jellicoe, whioh compliment His Excellency gracefully ao'knowlcdged. The Scouts'" motto, pe Prepared,was similarly, nagged, and interpreted. Scout 11. Dickson, sang.' That "Wonderful Mother of Mine," and Scout 1). W. M'Kenzie recited the "Romeo and Juliet" episode from "The Sentimental Bloke." Scout W. lit. 21111 sang "The Floral Dance, Soout W. Gable recited boldly and well "If I Dwe'st," and Scout L; Searle, a clear-voioed intelligent boy, sang with rare humour "The Policeman," and on being recalled recited "Columbus" with lively spirit. The Congregational Troup figured pioturesauely in some "living statuary" poses, and finally ■there was a series, or brief boxing bouts— one-minute rounds—by Scouts, big" and small, slender and plump, whioh were as laughter-provoking as anything in tho show. Mr. Allah Maxwell acted as referee, Mr. A. Ourtayne was- the announcer, and the brothers lordham-figured as seconds.

There will- ba auother entertainment this evening, when tho King of the Soouts will, he crowned with due coremony. Every troop, it appears, nominated a candidate, and canvassed for votes for'their selection at ono penny per vote, the result being that Mack Darling, of the Kelburn Troop, waß elected by a substantial majority, bo His Majesty King Darling will ascend his, throne to-night.' •The big. Town Hall waß packed last evening with jlfiputs and their friends. Among the audience were Their 'Excellencies Lord and Lady JeHfcoe, tho Hona. ■Gwendoline and Jlyrtle DelHcoe, and : Captain uurUs vprivate secretary).