BOY SCOUTS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1926, Page 3

BOY SCOUTS

(Contributed.)

In Red Indian Sign Language the mouth of February used to l:o represented by a human skull, an indication of dealii. famine and disaster generally and to the Braves of the local tribes the present month gives every indication of fulfilling its sinister reputation. First and worst ts iho loss of flic two most, enthusiastic of local Sernttcrs. Mr li. Parham, Scoutmaster of the First (All Saints) Troop and Mr T. Kelly. Assistant Scoutmaster of the Second Troop, a.re both leaving for Christchurch to continue their studies, and I at present neither troop is finding it I too easv to meet the tuture with a

scout grill. Roth young men have been working with the hoys for about two and a halt years, while Mr Parham was some years ago himself a scout in his picsout troop. They have been the mainsprings of their troops right through the scout life of the majority of out present boys, and the very sincere good wishes for their own futures which all their brother scouts extend to them, cannot help but bo mingled with a feeling of heavy loss and anxiety for the future of their work here.

\s if this were not enough to thorough!v test out the truth of the maxim that ”a Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties, tic news is now to hand that the htiildi„<r where each troop has had its meeting room for many years past is 10 |,e nulled down, and that scouts amt cubs can expect to find themselves turned out homeless upon a cold unfeeling world within the next few weeks. Difficulties are. however, made to he overcome and there appear to be both men and buildings in Hokitika to whom the appeal of service to the nation ought to bring some response. Last week-end a party of Second Hokitika scouts spent a successful little camp at South Spit, anil at the end of this month the Volf Gubs of the same troop will have a one "ig ht camp in the same place. Monday next is the birthday ot thi Chief Scout, ami the Second .1 ro°p aiul Rack will hold a special meeting from 0 30 to 7.30 p.m. to wish him happi-

Second A. Sutherland of the Second Pack has successfully passed the tests for the ’Hirst Aiders badge.