BOY SCOUT CAMP.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 20 December 1916, Page 4

BOY SCOUT CAMP.

It is not creditable to Taihape that the Boy Scout movement should be allowed to languish. Its value in evolving the very best citizenship is proved by the readiness with which most of the principal peoples of the earth have taken it up. In no country is it appreciated more than in Germany, where everything in the nature of building up citizenship is seized upon with avidity and put into practice. The aim of the movement is to teach boys of any class to become all-round men, to give them character, and to make them capable of looking after themselves in whatever circumstances they are placed. The system of instruction of the boys is to lead them on to pass tests for qualification, handicrafts, and useful accomplishments, such as are likely to be of value to them in their future careers. Tracking, chivalry, patriotism, true ana honourable citizenship, are amou? t.ie subjcclb include,} in this inst uc-..wc, and nre fully explained in the hook, "Scouting for Boys" which was writ ten by the founder of the movement, General Sir R. S. S. Baden-Powell. The scout organisation is non military; is interdenominational, and nonpolitical. The teaching of the boys is in no way shaped by the scoutmaster; he simply follows the text book, and while he is with the boys he simply expounds' what is laid down, and urges them to follow in the course directed in full spirit of their meaning. It is somewhat remarkable that better support is not accorded the movement here. The local Scouts corps is going into camp shortly, for a course of training, where they will be free from the distractions of their old everyday associations. To make the lads thoroughly comfortable tents and camping requisites are necessary. The Scoutmaster has appealed for loans of what is required, and we trust that the importance of the occasion will not be overlooked, and that ample for the boys' well-being, while out at Turangarere, will be promptly offered, so that the utmost good work may be accomplished. It is generally admitted that these periodical camps are productive of the jutmost good results, rendering them something that should have the support and assistance of all parents.

Since the war began infant mortal ity in Hungary has risen to the enor mous total of 80 per cent.

As a result of the operation of the JB'ritish Black List all German nitrate works in Chili have been closed down.

According to a German leather trade paper, the contract price paid for boots for the Kaiser's forces ranges from 30s 5d for infantrymen to 42s 7d per pair.

Mr. Edward Marshall, the American war correspondent, says: "The mental attitude of the French has advanced from determination to win to a certainty of winning."

''The trenches are swarming with huge rats," writes a Mastcrton soldier to his friends. "I don't mind them a. bit, but some of the shaps are more scared of them than of the enemy."

Sir Michael O'Dwyer, LieutenantGovernor of the Punjaub, speaking in Bombay, stated that since the outbreak of war Bombay had given 100, 000 men to the combatant side of the Army and thousands to the non-com-batant services.

The Post's London correspondent states that the war has opened the market for South African produce in more than one way. South African beef has been o n sale in Smithfield for some months past, and now South African butter is arriving in gradually increasing quantities; 2500 cases of butter came to hand recently and realised 9d per pound on the British" market. The Yorkshire Post states that this butter is declared by experts to be "equal to butter regularly imported from New Zealand." Great quantities of South African eggs have also been coming to England refrigerated, and they have realised up to 2/ per doz.

Most of us (says an English writer) have heard of the "Hymn of Hate," and of how the British and French troops quickly learnt it, and then astonished the Germans by yelling it triumphantly back to thorn across the waste land between. At a well-known and popular seaside resort the band was asked as a favour to play it to the audience, who were curious to know what it was like. The band did so. and at the end a notice was put up bearing the words, "Our reply." Everybody naturally enough, got ready to stand up, expecting to hear the National Anthem. The baiflT played, softly and tenderly, "Two Lovely Black Byes!"

Applications for the position of custodian of the swimming baths are invited in .our advertising columns.

A magnificent lot of toys, fancy goods, and glassware, bought at ten shillings in the pound, are to be sold at sensationally low prices at the Taihape Furniture Exchange, opposite railway station. A gorgeous display will be made on Friday.

One Hungarian district had 170 per thousand births annually, but owing to the drafting off of males, the birthrate has averaged 10 per thousand for the past two years. The loss of life threatens to equal that of the battlefields.

Private C. Jeayes, one time linotype mechanic on the staff of the "Taihape Daily Times," arrived in Taihape last night on final leave. He is a member of the 22nd Reinforcements, which are leaving shortly for the front.

Messrs Collinson and Gifford have interesting notices on pages 1 and 3 regarding Christmas gifts. They advise intending patrons to shop early, thereby obtaining a better selection, and doing their shopping under more comfortable conditions.

A troop tnain conveying members of the 22nd, 23rd and 24th Reinforcements —the first for their; final leave, and the other two on holiday leave — passed through Taihape ,at -G.30 last night. Quite a number of Taihape boys arnived on visits to their relatives and friends.

The Matron of the Taihape Hospital acknowledges Avith thanks the following gifts: Toys and papers, Mr. Sherwin; Papers, Mrs. Strudwick; flowers, Mrs. Bremner; cake, Mr. Ransom; flowers, Mrs. Farr; magazines, Anon; flowers, Mr. Begg.

The Swimming Baths will be officially opened to-morrow afternoon at 3.30, by Mr. R. W. Smith, M.P. An attractive programme has been arranged, consisting of diving competition, 50 yards handicap for men, girls' race, schoolboys' race, and married mens' race. We hope to see a large attendance of the public at the function.

Major (Dr.) Clifton, of Pahiatua, was much impressed by the British Tommies when he was in France. They are, he says, the only section of the Allied armies who go into the trenches singing. "If there is any difference between them," said the Major at a gathering in Mastertonon Thursday evening, "the Scotchmen are the best."

A report on the operations in southern districts of German East Africa has the following passages: On June 6, Colonel Roger attacked the enemy and put them to flight. Just before this action a most disgraceful incident occurred. A tropcr of the Second South African Rifles captured by the enemy, was tied to a gun-wheel, beaten by a native under orders of a European, and then shot by seven bullets. He died two days later, having been quite conscious, and was able to make depositions. The officer in command of the enemy force was Captain Count Falkenstein, and it is believed that we have here as prisoners three Germans who were present, one of whom is probably guilty of murder.