WITH THE BOY SCOUTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 723, 24 July 1929, Page 16

WITH THE BOY SCOUTS

The first-class test examinations seem doomed to misfortune but, in spite of the rain, ten boys presented themselves at Western Springs last Saturday. Two Ellerslie Scouts were successful, Leader Roper qualifying for First Class and First All-Round Cords, and Leader Weston passing the Signalling test. Leader Taylor, of St. James’s Troop, also passed in Signalling. There were several partial passes in cooking. Mr. N. M. advises that the next tests will probably be arranged for August 17, or the following Saturday. Scouts are reminded that the Proficiency Badge night commences at 7.15 this evening at the headquarters of the West Street Church of Christ Troop, and not at St. James’s Hall. District Scoutmaster Walls desires all members of Ho. 1 Division to keep in mind the inter-troop pound night, to be held next Friday and the Patrol Leaders’ Conference arranged for Saturday. Both functions will commence at 7 o’clock. The Calliope Sea Scouts will celebrate their eighth birthday by holding a party in the Masonic Hall, Devonport, next Saturday, July 27, commencing at 7.45 p.m. An attractive programme has been arranged under the supei’vision of the Master, Mr. R. H. Iversen. * * * A successful meeting of Scouters was held last evening at Headquarters with a total attendance of 44. Commissioner W. J. Holdeworth was in the chair. The Commissioner in an interesting address referred to the progress of the movement since he took up his position last August, everything pointing to a forward tendency. His talk was greatly appreciated by all present, especially as he was able to announce that many of the reforms long hoped for were to come into operation in the near future. During the second part of the meeting Assistant-Commissioner E. B. B. Boswell outlined the proposed routine for the parade which will be held to celebrate the 21st birthday of Scouting on August 3. He stressed the fact that, as a sign of loyalty to the Chief Scout and the ideals of the movement, all Scouters and Scouts should endeavour by personal effort and co-operation to make this parade an outstanding success so that the public may have evidence of the importance of Scouting throughout the youthful communities of the world. » Questions asked by the Scouters were dealt with, and various details were discussed generally. * * * The First Cornwell Trop wishes to remind all parents and supporters that a “bring and buy” social will be held at the troop headquarters tomorrow' evening. Supper arrangements, are in the hards of the committee. • * • The Papatoetoe Orphanage Scout Troop will take part in the birthday parade on August 3. The boys will join the Papakura Troop at Papatoetoe and parade under the leadership of Scoutmaster Slessor. Next Saturday Assistant-Commis-sioner Boswell will visit the Papatoetoe Troop, which is now being reorganised. * * * s Little Thunder reports for the First Papakura Troop: “We are still going ahead well. On July 5 we held our third birthday with a large attendance of parents and friends. Since then several new recruits have joined. “The troop was represented at the Thanksgiving Service at the Church of England, and our monthly church parade was held at the Presbyterian Church last Sunday. “Our instructor, Mr. A. Lewis, has prepared a series of interesting and instructive lectures, which are greatly appreciated every parade night.” OF EXALTED ORIGIN The kitchen dresser is now an article of humble usefulness, but it has a very exalted origin, which we may learn from Its name. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the great nobles were fond ofv displaying their wealth, and at ban-) quets it was the custom to have all. the gold and silver plate displayed on a table in the dining room. Where the nobleman had a large quantity of plate he had shelves above the table tor the exhibition of the gold and silver, and this contrivance was called a dresser, because it was “dressed with plate.”