BOY SCOUTS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1925, Page 4

BOY SCOUTS

• «§» — (Contributed). One branch of the Scout movement which is very little known in New Zealand, and at the present moment is not represented at all on the Most Coast, is the Rovers. These form the senior branch and give young men front seventeen to twenty-five and upwards, an opportunity to show that the training they have enjoyed as boys can be carried on into active good citizenship in manhood. Although specially intended for “grown-up” boy scouts, those who have never been scouts are eligible, and in practice it becomes a club for men with many and very varied activities, among which camping and especially “biking camps” have their due place. But the ideals of life expressed in the Scout Law are kept ill view, and a Rover Patrol is no place tor the “.slacker” whose only idea of sport is looking on while others play, or who is willing to get up and " spout ” about bis “ rights,” but turns .up missing when it is a question of tucking up his sleeves and getting to work on the "duties” ol citizenship. The watchword of the Rovers is SERVICE. The following official report from London shows one rather original method in which this is being carried out- “ The Rovers (the senior branch of the Roy Scout movement) have no desire to advertise themselves—humble service is their duly and purpose—but in view of certain incorrect, as well as dangerous, statements which have appeared, it is felt desirable that a short explanation of the London Rovers' Blood Transfusion Service has become necessary. ~, ’ “ The London Blood Transfusion Service is not organised by the Brit-ish-Red Cross Society, but is organised by the London Rover Committee. In addition to the Rovers themselves, a

tew parents, and wives and Iriends ol Rovers, have also volunteered for the operation, which is iioii-injui iou.o. I lie demand is increasing as the ceiTainity of a simply of donors of blood is becoming known, and si ill more Rovers than ibose who have already volunteered, are required. "Since last June, over fit Rovers have actually given blood, and many lives have certainly been saved. Air London hospital or similar institution having a qualified surgeon to perform the operation can obtain a donor at, any time, and incidentally without charge. The expenses are met by the sole, of tinfoil and soft metal collected l, v the Rovers and others. Further details may be obtained Iroin ( aptain c. Lisle Watson (London Rover Commissioner). House o! Commons .

The maimer in which these young men are putting to practical use the physical fitness which results from open air sport and the clean habits to which they are pledged, is exactly typical of the vigorous spirit ol manly idealism which pervades the Rovers.

If this should meet the eye of anyone locally who is not ashamed to look wider than merely to means of "gelling on,” and would he interested m tho formation of a Rover Ualrol in the Hokitika district, the writer would |„. pleased to go into the matter with him in detail.