"A FIRST CLASS SCOUT”

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 208, 28 May 1921, Page 5

"A FIRST CLASS SCOUT”

WHAT HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO.

Speaking at the Dominion Boy Soont Conference on Wednesday, BrigadierGeneral A. W. Andrew said that if they were anxious to increase the number of their boys they must not to do so at tho expense of efficiency. “You are aware,” said he, "that at present a boy can present himself for the proficiency badges after he hips qualified as a. soeond-class scout. With a capable and enthusiastic scoutmaster there is probably no harm in this, for he probably insists on the boys eventually qualifying for a first-class certificate. But we fear that with many scoutmasters this is not the case, and the proficiency badges are piled up. while the first-class subjects are neglected.” He reminded them of the subjects that must be learned by a boy liefore he becomes a first-class scout: — (a) Swim 50 yards (b) Have one shilling at least in the Savings Bank. (c) Send a message by semaphore or Morse,

(d) Make a short journey on foot, and write an account of it.

(e) Describe the props" method of dealing with any two of the following accidents: —Fire, drowning, runaway carriage, sewer gas. electric shook, or ice-breaking. (f) Bandage an injured person or revive tin apparently drowned one. (g) Cook over the camp fire anv one of the following dishes:—Porridge, bacon, hunter’s stow; skin and cook a rabbit, cook a bird, make dumplings. th) Map reading. (i) Use an axe for felling and trimming light timber, or produce an article of carpentering or joinery, .or metal work rn ndc by self.

(jl Judge distance, area, size, numbers, weight, and height.

fk). Bring a tenderfoot trained by himself to the point required for the tenderfont badge.

These, or most of these, were of such practical utility in after life that their neglect was a serious menace to the efficiency of tho scheme."