BOY SCOUTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1924, Page 1

BOY SCOUTS.

(Contributed). Ono of the features which distinguish the Seoul .Movement from other hoys’ organisations is the Rutrol System. T he* patrol corresponds to the natural "gang” tendencies which leads boys to congregate into definite, and more or less fixed groups for activities. A Scout Patrol tonsils of six, seven or eight hoys, one of whom they have chosen as their leader lor work and play. This patrol forms the team in all scout games and contests, and is the real unit in Scout organisation.- Two or more patrols unite to form a troop under a Stouter (or Scoutmaster) and his assistants. Each patrol takes as their totem some animal or bird (as far as possible one common in their locality) whose virtues and attributes they aim at making their own. whose cry becomes Llieir secret call, and whose image, whether sketched roughly in mud with a painted stick, or more elaborately reproduced, is the patrol sign and symbol The extent to which each patrol loader is given real control of his patrol i- the surest measure of a troop's success. In all this there is nothing intended of army methods of X.C.O's echoing the orders of their superiors. Imt each patrol becomes gradually a real independent unit with power lo do almost, anything within the bounds of Scout Law and only protected b.v a seltlom-ilsoil veto of the Scooter. Troop mailers whether of discipline or routine are decided by a committee of patrol leaders and assistants (termed “seconds”) with the .Scooter and his assistants which is termed a “Court, of Honour,” although it has now grown to function in many directions beyond those indicated by its title. A troop often contains also younger boys (cubs) formed into a pack learning to lie scouts, and older lads of 17 onwards, termed rovers. These latter have an even larger amount of self-government and usually take upon themselves various olliees and op|x»rtunities of service to their younger brothers, but all three sections, cubs, scouts and rovers are distinct in training, have their own meetings, ami as far as possible, meeting places, and do not normally appear in public together. The 2nd. Hokitika. Troop has held a monthly in ter-Hat nil competition for efficient work and proficiency in scouting ever since its formation. This contest was won for June by the “Hawks" under Hatful I vender A. Sumner, which patrol deserve special mention for their repeated and consecutive suece::s.

A fifth member of the 2nd. Hack. Cub A. Duncraft. passed his tests and gained the rank of One Star Cult, last week, while Jas ..Anderson was enrolled as a Tcnderpad. In the Jnd. Troop H. Veule has gained his 2nd. Class Madge, being the fifth in the troop to do so and I*’. Saxon has been enrolled as a 'l’eilderloot.