BOY SCOUTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1923, Page 4

BOY SCOUTS.

(Contributed). Practically all details are now arranged for the hike of the two local troops alter Christmas. The party will leave Hokitika on Thursday morning. December "drill., and expect to be back by dan. nth. alter having camped in about eight dili’ereni .sites cm route. Owing to part oi the journey being across a rough pack track all "kit"' will have to he carried by tilt* bays themselves. 'I here is a wonderful difference between a comfortable and irksome pack which does not always vary with the weight of its contents or tlte strength o| the back supporting it. Packs of tile required pattern are not ea-y to obtain so that the bov*. are endeavouring to make their own. Jim as this lias to lie done against time (ail scout churls lor the moment, are concentrated on preparations for their entertainment on Dee. 7 1 1 1 . > it would he a kindness it some ot those well-worn packs, which must sttil be hidden somewhere in the district reiics of less civilised conditions o* life - eonid be loaned to the hoy:-.. the outlets for scout energy are so varied that no one man can possibly act as instructor in every branch and the ideal scoutmaster would undoubtedly possess a large circle of friends expert, in diflerent subjects. Possibly men unwilling to taki on regular work as scoutmasters might be willing to devote an odd evening enthusing a tew keen boys in their own iiobbv and profession. Any such can bo sure of a hearty welcome if they would idler their services. Among very

munv others, instructors are specially’ needed who have practical or theoretical knowledge of the local bush, experts in sea-fishing. .Morse signalling, surveying, and astronomy. Tint practically no handicraft, hobby or out-door experience would tail to tim! a place in the work ot the scouts. There are many dozens ol "Proficiency Badges' each tor its diiieicnt subject, oll'ercd not with the idea that a hoy should acquire expert knowledge in sixty or seventy diflerent directions, but in recognition of the tact that eacli scout is an individual, and that if it is possible in boyhood to Sit eacli peg, round or square, into its own hole, much has been done in the foundation ol a happy life. In I'.ogl.'tnd scouts who—usually by the default. of the examiner, who substitute theory for practice- -obtain an inordinate number ol these proiieicm v bilges are known in derision as Badger." In order lo strike a happy mean in tiiis direction what is required ia number ol ladies and gentlemen who will act a- examiners and will make the examinations practical ones. I his is an opportunity for those who so often declare themselves warm friends of the scout movement. but hesitate to show their friendship bv a sacrifice of time, as the duty of examiners in a town of only two troop., should not be a strenuous one. For some ot the less popular badges, one exam in ten years would about till the bill, while even for such everyday subjects nmlmliinre man. swimmer, cyclist* or cook, the average is not likely to exceed one or two a month. If there is one subject more than another which concern-, every man and woman in Hokitika i* is the e.iai•icter of the coming generation of citizens. The scout movement is aisle to offer ample evidence of results achieved elsewhere but until taken up locally as a community activity its success here is likely to '<> ■ strictly limited. Wlmt is wanted is not o much excessive generosity of time or money on the part of one or two asome' gesture of support from eacli and ,-vcrv resident. Young people arc especial It sensitive to sympathy or its absence and it is where the Boy Troop is actually recognised as an "institution'’ in tin- town that the bovs UiCtiiselves develop wife eie.i.,-. Oltt 1111-la ,10.