WITH THE BOY SCOUTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1013, 2 July 1930, Page 14

WITH THE BOY SCOUTS

Trophy for Boy Scouts In order to show their appreciation J of the fact that Law 6 of the Boy ’ Scouts inculcates the duty of Kindness 1 to Animals, and in order to encourage ] Scouts to qualify themselves to carry i out this duty by acquiring practical < knowledge of how to treat animals in i a kind and humane manner, the S.P.C.A. has decided, through the generosity of a donor, to offer a trophy to be known as i The S.P.C.A. Animal Welfare Trophy, which shall be for competition among * the Boy Scout troops of the Auckland Central District. The trophy is to be competed for annually, and to be held by the winning ■ troop for one year from the date of its award. Together with the trophy, : a certificate will be awarded, to be a permanent record of the troop’s success, which certificate may hang on to the walls of the troop’s headquarters. further, a certificate will also be awarded to the writer of the winning essay, and a second certificate to the Scout placed next in order of merit. The essay must be forwarded to the secretary of the S.P.C.A. not later than September 30 each year. The trophy must be returned to the S.P.C.A not later than the date 12 months after that on which it was awarded. A written essay is the basis of the competition. The conditions of the competition are as follow: 1. A maximum of 200 marks to be ! awarded: of the maximum, 10 marks may be given to the troop holding the highest percentage of Scouts who have won. the Friend to Animals Badge, and 90 marks may be awarded for the best essay on “Kindness to Animals,” written by a Scouth belonging to the competing troop. This Scout must hold the Friend to Animals Badge, and will bo chosen as the troop’s representative by his Scoutmaster. 2. The Scoutmaster must certify that, to his knowledge, the essay is the unaided work of this Scout. The Scout’s age, length of service, and position in the troop must be embodied in this certificate. 3. The essay must deal with the subject in a practical manner, and show that the Scout has a practical knowledge of what is meant by a friend to animals. It should show that he realises that kindness to animals is a duty to be carried out by all who wish to be good citizens, as is laid down by the Sixth Scout Law. The essay should also treat of the matter to be found in the Scout Syllabus laid down for study in Imperial Policy and Organisation and Rules of the Boy Scouts’ Association, for the Friend to Animals Badge test. It is desirable that the -writer should show that he understands the practical handling and caring for both animals and birds in health, in sickness and when injured. Further, he must state what he would regard as constituting cruelty, and how he would himself avoid cruelty to animals and how to use his personal influence to prevent cruelty to animals by others. He should also deal with the question of humane killing, and show that he understands what would be the best way to put a pet animal out of its suffering when seriously ill or injured; further, what he considers the most humane method of handling and killing animals for food and other purposes. It is not desirable that the essay consist of tales of his own or his friend’s pet animals, or their doings; but instances may be given illustrating any point he may desire to explain, so long as they do not form the main substance of the essay. In judging the essays, clarity and conciseness will be given points. In general it is desired that the essay should not deal with the mere sentiment of kindness to animals, but should show practical acquaintance with the methods of treatment of animals in a humane manner at all times and in ail circumstances. (As a suggestion to Scoutmasters, they might find out the best essay writer in their troop by holding an essay competition, the winner to be chosen as the troop representative.) Competent persons will be chosen to make the award, and their decision will bo final. First Class Tests First Class tests will be held at Lake St. John next Saturday. Proficiency Badge Night Scouts are reminded that the next Proficiency Badge night will be held on Tuesday, 8, at AVest Street. Commercial Travellers* Drive Tho Commercial Travellers’ Association and the headquarters staff wish to express their sincere appreciation of the work done by the boys last Saturday when the Commercial Travellers’ clothes drive for the poor and needy was in progress. Between 350 and 400 boys reported for duty, and in the house-to-house canvas aided materially in tho success of the drive. First Cornwell Rover Crew A First Cornwell Rover meeting will bo held on Thursday, July 3, at 8.30 i ®.m., at tho Group fieadqaurters.

District RoA-er-Scout Leader C. Ruxton Bach will attend and initiate two members. At a recent meeting Assistant-Scout-master W. Williams, of Cambridge, who was on holiday in Auckland, visited tho First Cornwell Rover crew and, being an initiated Rover, took great interest in the evening’s work. Ho also visited the Scouts at their meeting. * * » St. Aidan’s News Deerfoot reports for St. Aidan’s troop:— “The quarterly competition for the Bartrom standard was held last Friday night; five Second Class subjects being selected for the test. The contest was keen, and the standard of work was fairly high. The Owl patrol finally triumphed with 112 points, the Kiwis -were second with 105 points followed by the Wolves (95), the Lions (82) and the Tuis (79). In the scarf competition Leader Morey is leading with 59 points. As this competition has several weeks to run, the results are by no means certain. “There will be no parade next Friday night. . “The annual parents eA-emng will be held on Saturday, July 12, at 8 p.m. The new committee will be elected, and all parents and friends are invited to be present.” Devonport Notes Great Lone Eagle reports for the Devonport Troop: “Our parents' evening, which was to I have been held last Thursday night, has been postponed until July 10. All Scouters and Scouts are heartily invited. "The past few weeks have been devoted to displays for the parents’ evening and, so that it may be a greater success, extra items are being presented. “During the next few weeks we hope to have more Scouts ready for First Class tests.” Edendale Cubs The Edendale Cubs were invited by tho Brownies to spend the afternoon with them on Saturday, and the Pack spent a very happy time. The Cubs beat the Brownies at threading the needle, but the Brownies were successful in catching the ball. The afternoon proved a great success and came to an end with tho Grand Howl. given first by the Brownies and then by the Cubs. The Cubs hope that at an early date the Brownes will visit them. All Cubs are asked to note that a church parade will be held next Sunday morning at Balmoral.

GIRL GUIDES’ CORNER Golden Butterfly reports for the Second Whangarei Company: “At our first meeting last month one new girl came. She was put into the Kingfisher patrol, which had only six members. Before the meeting several Guides passed the tests for their Second Class badges or, in some cases, parts of it. We decided after prayers to have enrolment day in a few Aveeks' time, thus enabling some of the recruits to pass the required test so that all could be enrolled on the same day. "In order to raise funds to defray expenses which we shall meet when wo attend the rally in honour of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell’s visit to Auckland, we have decided to sell sweets to the girls attending the meetings. Also we are endeavouring to raise funds by holding a concert. With this in mind we are learning a Maori haka, which our lieutenant is teaching us. “At our next meeting some of the Guides passed the tests for their Second Class badges as well as the Tenderfoot test. Two new members came—one an old BroAvnie who has just succeeded in passing her tests before she gains her Brownie wings. We spent some time in coaching the recruits for their Tenderfoot test, after which we played a very popular game called ‘Fire Brigades.’ “At our next meeting another new recruit attended. We have now three full patrols, and we find that our numbers are steadily increasing. Next week is enrolment day, a£ we have now one leader, tAvo seconds and some Tenderfoots to be enrolled, as well as badges to be presented. “On Wednesday evening of tho last week of last month two Guides succeeded in passing their Athlete’s badge. While fi\'e Guides sat for their Writer’s badge on Wednesday evening, three others sat for their Domestic Service badge on Thursday evening. "We are all looking forward to our next meeting, for it will be ceremonial day*’*