WITH THE BOY SCOUTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 303, 14 March 1928, Page 6

WITH THE BOY SCOUTS

The Herne Bay Troop have appointed Smoke Signal as their scribe, and their report reaches us as under: Our first narade for the year—February 10 —took the form of a free evening, which was chiefly given over to enthusiastic discussions about the holidays and the stern necessity of recommencing school. The parade a week later was more industriously spent, and after a talk from the S.M., the patrols separated and discussed what they would do, individually and collectively, to make the troop even more of a success than it was in 1927.

The final parade for the month resulted in the troop being divided into five instead of four patrols, as it was felt that there would be keener competition with one extra team, and each leader chose a name which he thought fitting for his particular patrol. Following this, the patrols went to their respective places and discussed the patrol system at some length, unanimously deciding that it was one and only way in which to run a troop successfully. The lads were fallen in and the leaders asked to remain to a Court of Honour. The boys then promised to attend church parade on Sunday, March 25, at All Saints’, and the troop was dismissed. At the Court of Honour it was decided that work would begin in re?al earnest at the next parade, and the meeting concluded. Pilot advises that last Friday week the Calliope Sea Scouts were examined for the silver trident presented by Lord Jellicoe for competition among New Zealand Sea Scouts, Commander Sidney Hall, R.D., R.N.R., Dominion Commissioner, being the examiner. The company was fallen in at 8.10 p.m. at Calliope Dock. Following the general inspection of uniform and turnout, the examiner questioned the boys individually on Scout Promise and Law and general knowledge. Each lad was then tested in knotting. In addition to the examiner and the officers of fh© company, among those present were District Commissioner R. C. Grigsby, Lieutenant R. A. Woods, R.N.V.R. (assistant commissioner for Sea Scouts), and two members of the company’s committee, Lieutenant J. H. Venville, R.N., and Mr. F. J. Tipping, secretary. On the resumption of the examination on Saturday afternoon, Commander Hall carried out an inspection of two other companies which had paraded, namely, “Vindictive” and “Victory.” Completing his inspection of the junior companies, the examiner ordered a gig’s crew to sea for manoeuvres, all orders to be transmitted by semaphore from the shore. When the boat returned a crew fell in on the rocket life-saving gear, a second crew manning a crane on the opposite side of th© dock as the supposed wreck, and a smart display of the methods used in rocket life-saving was given. After this came an exhibition of marching and a further test of signalling.

The examination concluded with questions on compass work, rule of the road at sea and knowledge of the international code. Before leaving Commander Hall expressed pleasure at the company’s turnout and work. He added that while the company’s work was “good” last year, it was “very good” this year, although he would like a see a greater number on the roll. He said that sea scouting was flourishing in Wellington, there being nearly 200 boys in four companies. Commander Grigsby added a few words, and Assistant Commissioner Woods’s speech was short and to the point, being simply, “Boys, I’m proud of you.” As Commander Hall left, the company gave three rousing cheers and was dismissed. The Scribe for the All Saints’ Troop advises that A.S.M. Hield has left, Mr. Norris taking over. The troop at present consists of three patrols, namely, the Kiwis, Bulldogs and Wolves. For the last three months the leaders have been working hard to obtain a shield presented by S.M. Norris for the patrol which is the best of the three every three months, the Kiwis holding it at present. Each Kiwi also received a prize. The troop received a visit from D.S.M. Boswell and an S.M. from England, who is making an inspection before the 1929 Jamboree, which is to be held in England. On Saturday, March 3, the patrol under Leader Donovan held a swirnming parade, so that the boys might practice for their swimming badges. The troop is expecting to hold a week-end camp soon in order that the lads will have th© opportunity of passing some second-class tests and also of practising up some first-class.