BOYS’ BRIGADE NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23384, 29 September 1939, Page 9

BOYS’ BRIGADE NOTES

[By CntJM.] OTAGO BATTALION. The ninth annual report of the Otago Battalion states:— Tile annual football tournament (Soccer) was held late in September, when nine junior entries and eight senior entries wore received. In the senior competition the A. J. Duncan Shield was won by 11th Dunedin, while the junior honours went to tho loth Dunedin. The annual church parade was hold in the Central Mission Church on Sunday, October 9. Some 22 officers and 130 boys listened to an address by a battalion vice-president, the (Rev. L. B. Neale. Thanks are due to the members of tho Boys’ Brigade Old Boys’ Band for their assistance at the parade. It is hoped that at the annual parade early in the new year some means will bo adopted whereby a full representation of companies may be obtained. The drill competition this year was by far the best competition in the history of the battalion. One point which should be noticed is that in the squad competition especially the actual number of squads drilled was only half the number entered with the battalion secretary. This was apparent in the company competition also, but not to the same extent. It is desirable that in the future some method should be adopted to ensure all companies entered to participate in the competition. With seven entries in the squad competition, the winners were 7th Dunedin, with 12th Dunedin second. The winning squad hold for the first time the Squad Challenge Cup donated by Mr A. Sneddon. The company competition was won by tho 16th Dunedin Company, with 12th Dunedin second, from an entry of five companies. General satisfaction was expressed at tho judging of the competition, which was in the capable hands of Mr D. Moir (insp.) and Staff-sergeant O. F, Rudd, (drill). Only one ambulance examination was held during the year, when during July 26 boys sat under the supervision of the St, John Association, 22 passing with credit. Ist DUNEDIN. The work of the company is steadily progressing. Eight boys attended the Fir© Station on Tuesday night. Ihe standard of inspection has been fair, while the squad competition has been °““ 8 «" d - 4 ,h DUNEDIN. Parades have been very well attended, and although there are only 12 on the roll, this is made up for by the keenness shown. In the recent signalling examination six of the seven passed. Two gained 100 per cent. The six who passed are now- studying Morse and hope to be able to gain both certificate and badge in tho same year. An innovation is the 8.8. library, which is filling a much-needed want. Starting on Monday next, there will be a woodworking class, and this will be held on two evenings a week, so that the necessary meetings can be held in this session to enable tho class to gain Its arts and crafts badge next year. Tho company is now in uniform. Tho Life Boy roll is now 17, and two are ns yet do'ing the six weeks’ preliminary parades. Two new boys paraded on Monday last, so that tho team will be 20 strong by the end of the year. Over 8.000 stamps have been collected in the last five months. Of these over 7,000 are denned and bundled in hundreds. A church parade is to be held on Sunday. October 8. The team is learning how, to make human pyramids in preparation for the demonstration in November. 7th DUNEDIN. Last Friday night the company journeyed to Maori Hill for the annual combined parade with 12th Dunedin. At the football tournament on the following day the company fielded two teams and figured in several close games. Out of a total membership of 43, 41 met at Bible class on Sunday afternoon, when an address was given by Mr G. Heed, of the Sunday school staff. 10th DUNEDIN. Tho reopening of schools has resulted in very good attendances at the last two parades. All boys have now been issued with full uniforms, and the general appearance on parade is much improved. Six boys attended the recent signalling examination and all were successful. A Morse signalling class has been commenced in preparation for the further examination to be held before the close of the Session. The ambulance class is progressing satisfactorily. Several boys are looking forward to the swimming test.