BOY SCOUTS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1925, Page 4

BOY SCOUTS

(Contributed). Nothing in the Scout system caught the public imagination more thoroughly than the daily “ good turn ” which every scout is pledged to. Not only is the scout hound to refuse any reward or pay, but Sir Robert Baden Powell lays it down as a tradition that each good turn accomplished, the doer should seize the first opportunity to disappear without waiting for applause or thanks. That this is carried out by the hoys is shown by numbers of eases of lifesaving and similar good work perform- . ed by unknown scouts whose identity has never been discovered. As encouragment to hoys who aro apt to complain that nothing heroic ever comes within their reach and that the every day good turn of courtesy to a stranger in the street or helpfulness about the home cannot make much , towards their aim of a happier earth, there is a classical instance of a simple good turn producing huge results which nuiv not he verv lamiliar to the piesent generation of New Zealand scouts. The extract given is from the official publication of the hoy scouts of America and it may lie well worth to explain that fifteen years ago “ tipping'’ >» London was very much more universal than is the case to-day. In fact the spread of scout ideals may fairly claim to have helped considerably in improving things. It is also to he noted that the United States with over half a million hoy scouts is to-day the numericallv strongest part of seoutdom. Ihe note which is headed “To an Unknown Scout,” states: — A suggestion has been made that the |,„y scouts of America invite its membership to contribute towards the erection in London of a statue to that unknown scout whose good turn resulted in scouting being established m this country. It is a happy and appropriate thought, which the movement may some dav put into action. It would ho at once a fine gesture of friendship to the British scout movement and dramatize th.c far-reaching value and romance of the daily good turn, which is the mark and badge by which every true scout is known. The story ol that simple good turn is immortal. It has been told often, hut is so charged with dramatic interest that it never stales. An American, a stranger, puzzled by the intricacies of London’s streets, looked about him bewildered. A hoy noticing his plight approached him, and saluted: . “Can 1 he of service to you, sir?”

he asked. “ Can you tell me how to get to this address?" the stranger inquired. “ 1 should he very glad to take \ou there,” said the hoy.

On the completion ol that short jouiney the ready American purse was opened. “No thank you, sir,” said tin- hoy. “ A scout never accepts money for his good turns.” A scout!” exclaimed the si ranger,

■ ■ wliat’s that.” Yi'heii the American’s visit was over he found the hoy waiting to take him to the headquarters ol the British Boy Scout Association, and as a result, with (hat American there came hack all the printed material available on scouting. Shortly after his return the Bo.v Scouts of America was incorporated. “I could not forget the earnestness with which that young scout did his good turn,” said Mr W. D. Boyce. That unknown scout, it lie still lives, must he still under thirty years of age, and yet through his simple earnestness over two million men and hoys in America have had something added to their enjoyment ; their sense of duty sharpened ; their sense of helpfulness quickened ami dramatized through the programme of scouting. Hr iL <> s m more likely, lie sleeps with other comrades mi one of the battlefields ol the Great War, may lie rest easy I llis good turn lias been blest as lew can hope to he.

A constant reader writes: “Suggest

ii,, : a j M‘o| vc, vandalism often lonrnnj

in lomiectimi with the public squares and public property, and in particular the recent senseless action in decking out the Burns statue at the risk of doing damage to the figure, that the local Buy Scouts should keep tlieii eyes open and act its a vigilance committee to detect offences of the nature referred to which are to the detriment of the public interests.’