The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1909. THE BOY SCOUT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2649, 3 November 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING . WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3,1909. THE BOY SCOUT.

The boy .scout movement lias reached Gisborne. Up to the present it has not created any sensation, but then it was not intended that it should. Sensational happenings have a habit of fizzling out just when tfrey are expected to produce some tangible result. The .scout movement, on the other hand, is not going to fizzle out. The average citizen takes little interest in it at present, but before long it will have quietly, but effectively secured a strong and permanent place in the life of the community. For the scout idea is founded on principles that last, not merely for a day, but through the centuries. It is founded firstly on the sound basis that a community’- must be prepared to defend itself against possible attack, secondly, that military Training should commence with the young and thirdly that to interest lads in this important aspect of citizenship the special instincts of that marvellous gen us, the Boy, must be studied and humored. It is in this respect that Lieutenant-General Baden-Powell has displayed a genius which quite throws into the shade his very creditable exploits in South Africa. He has written a handbook; entitled “Scouting for Boys.” This is a hook which any father can, with confidence, place in the hands of his growhig boys, for it is hound to interest them and at the same time it stands for the worthiest ideals. In this way it is a masterpiece and probably no book has ever before been written which acts as a text book, and at the .same time holds the interest of the reader in such a. commanding way. “Scouting for Boys” contains all the instructions necessary for a youngster to become an accomplished scout, but these are accompanied all the time by instances from personal experiences of the way in which the art of scouting can be applied. No ordinary healthy-minded lad can pick up Baden Powell’s book without being impelled to read it through, and, having read it, he is certain to receive a decided stimulus urging him to utilise the powers with which nature has provided him in a much more practical manner than if he had not read it. The book is written primarily as a text book for a branch of military work, but its scope is so broad and so eminently commonsensc that its teachings cannot fail to give a lad a much better equipment for his subsequent part in life, no matter in what, direction he may be called upon to play it. Perhaps this feature of the scout movement will be better understood if we quote some portions of the scout law as follows:

A scout’s honor is to be trusted. If a scout officer says to a scout, “1 trust on your honor to do this,” the scout is bound to carry out the order to the very best of his ability, and to let nothing interfere with his doing so. A scout is a friend to all, and a brother to every ether scout, no matter to what social class the other belongs. Thus if a scout meets another scout, even though a stranger to him, he must speak to him, and help him in any way that he can, either to carry out the duty he is then doing, or by giving him food, or, as far as possible, anything that he may be in want of. A scout must never be a snob. A scout is courteous: That is, he is polite to all—but especially to women and children, and old people and invalids, cripples, etc. And he must not take any reward for being helpful or courteous.

A scout smiles and whistles under all circumstances. When he gets an order he should obey it cheerily and readily, not in a slow' hang-dog sort of way. Scouts are of two kinds —first and second class. To become a second-class scout a boy must satisfy his scout -master in the following details: (1) Tie four of the specified knots in less than thirty seconds each knot. {2) Track a horse’s or man’s track for a quarter of a mile in not more than fifteen minutes; or in town, describe satisfactorily the contents or one shop window out of four observed for one minute each.

(3) Go at the scout’s pace for one mile in not more than thirteen minutes.

(4) Know the scout’s laws and signs(o) Know the composition 'of the Union Jack and liow to fly it. To become a first-class scout: (6) Point out the different points of the compass from where he stands. (7) Make a journey alone of not less than fifteen miles from point to point, by walking, riding, boat, or bicycle. (8) ' Describe or . show the proper means of saving life in case of one of the following accidents: Fire, drowning, runaway carriage, sewer gas; or bandage ail injured patient, or revive an apparently drowned person. (9) Be able to read and write. (10) Have at least sixpence in the Savings Bank. (11) Show that he has brought a recruit to the boy scouts and has taught him to tie tile six principal knots. (12) Lay and light a fire, using no more than two. matches, and cook a quarter of a pound of flour and two potatoes without cooking utensils.

When Baden Powell wrote his book he little dreamt of the greatness of the movement he-was initiating for he intended it merely as a handbook for a comparatively small portion of the younger generation. But like others before him, the South African hero ‘ 'built better than he knew” and his book struck a chord in the juvenile ,mind which responded with the. quickincss of electricity;. All-the romantic, the venturesome, the speculative, the jimaginative side of' boyish nature which in the past has thrived'so luxuriously aipon the Indian stories of N lfenimoro Cooper,- Ballantyne, and others, was directly appealed to. Here was a means to apply in a practical and worthy manner the instincts which, when left to chance, or when misdirected are apt to lead to dangerous escapades and sometimes criminal careers. From the commencement the scout movement was a success, and only the

other day 11,000 hoys were reviewed at Crystal Palace by their head ScoutMaster, Baden-Powell. They received a striking message from King Edward himself, and even the ponderous London “Times” felt called upon to devote a column and a half to an appreciative notice of the occasion. Now the movement is spreading itself round the Empire. Of the Boy scout in Australia a writer in the “Lone Hand” for August said:

A short year ago the boy scout was regarded as a harmless kind of juvenile nuisance in Sydney. He went his wav observed closely with mixed feelings of annoyance ancf amusement. Annoyance because those who cannot see anything good in the youth who is not tied up to a post in the back yard wondered what fresh form of tabloid worry this was in the khaki shirt and wide-brimmed hat. Amusement becausd the scout bore himself with a great air of importance.

To-day the scout is an important jiersonage indeed. ITo is doing a work that most people regard as useful, and many regard as absolutely necessary, if we intend to retain this continent — our own. in right, title, and interest.

That enthusiastic volunteer officer, Major D. Cossgrovo of Christchurch, is engaged in the organisation of the Boy Scout movement in New Zealand, and there is every reason to believe that it will prove as successful in the Dominion as elsewhere. Subject to the general scout law a good deal in the way of self-government is left to the individual bands of scouts known as patrols. Already in Gisborne some eight or nine patrols are - in existence and the total membership is well on to a hundred. Practical work has been commenced and some of the youngsters are displaying considerable aptitude for the new game which is yet .something more than a game. They have not uniforms as yet, but it will not be long before the scout and his uniform will be a common sight in the town and district. When the Boy. Scout does definitely arrive we trust that his reception from the citizens will be a kindly one. His mission warrants a sympathetic reception, and nothing will be lost by giving to the new movement all the encouragement that can reasonably be given. Little will be asked, for self-reliance is a primal feature in the Scouts’ law, but at least no obstacles should be placed in the way. .Someday New Zealanders may be called upon to defend themselves against invasion, and in such a crisis the Boy Scouts of to-day may Ire the most useful men in the country. In any case their training in natural observation provides a remarkably useful supplement to the somewhat stilted curriculum of the public schools, and no boy who goes through with it- can fail to emerge a nobler and more capable man for the time spent with the Boy Scouts.

The Chief Postmaster was advised yesterday that Wheturau mails are delayed owing to the rivers being flooded.

3'lie tisual penalty was imposed upon a first offender for drunkenness at the Police Court yesterday. “Frost-bound Nature,” now being .shown by the Patlie Picture Company, is one of the best scenic films ever shown in Gisborne.

“The Boy Scouts to the Rescue” aroused great enthusiasm again- last night at the Pathe Pictures. Every boy should see this picture. A recent visitor to Southland says he has never seen the feed so forward; in fact, he said to a Christchurch pressman, it seems to be two months in advance of average seasons.

Tho rain which started late on Monday night and continued till yesterday afternoon effectually quenched a busli firo which had broken out on the peal; that lies farthest away from Gisborne up the Waimata Valley. Swaggers are no uncommon sight on the country roads, but the other day one passing through Winchester attracted unusual attention. He was a Chinaman, and he carried a regulation swag, as if to the manner born. The following passengers arrived by Messrs Redstone and Sons’ coaches yesterday afternoon : —From Areroa — Mr. Gossmann; from Waipiro—Messrs Watts. Matthews, Murray ;from Tologa —Miss Ansell, Miss Kenny, Mr. O’Connor, Mr. Livingstone. The hearing of the suit against tho Gisborne Harbor Board in connection with tho Tauwharepiirae leases lias been fixed to take place in Wellington on the 10th inst. Mr. T. A. Coleman, solicitor to, the Board, leaves for south on Sunday evening, and Mr. M. Myers lias been retained on behalf of the defendants.

“I don’t think it is necessary to do all the laundry work up here,” saicl Mr C. C. Kettle, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Auckland, last week, when counsel was proceeding to crossexamine a witness in reference to somealleged misdeeds of his, which were not intimately connected with the case. “They generally wash their dirty linen down in the lower court,” added the magistrate. Mr. C. E. Sutton Turner is at present in Gisborne in the interests of Turner’s Directory of .Manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand. The directory is now in the second year of publication, and should be of great use to all classes of trading concerns. It contains a complete list of manufacturers in all kinds of industries, tabulated in a manner convenient for reference. There are also copies of the Customs tariffs of New .Zealand, Australia, and Great Britain, as well as other useful information.

Mr Robert M‘Nab, 'writing from America by the last mail to a friend in Wellington, under date September 6/’ says : —“I nave got as far as New Bedford, and after visiting Providence, Newport and Nautuoket, I will run down to New York and take -steamer to London. At Salem, Boston and here I have met a number of friends I made when running through about three years ago. They all take a warm interest in Nsw, Zealand, and I have become a regular lecturer on its wonders.”

Owing to the wet weather/there was only a.small attendance at Holy Trinity School room , last evening, .when the Itev. 0. J. Kimberley, organising seeretary of the New Zealand Church Missionary Association, gave an address on “The Recent Mahommedan Advance.” The Rev. (L. Dawson Thomas ■presided. A very interesting address was given, dealing graphically with the subject. The inclemency of the weather was greatly to be regretted, as a great many would have attended had the evening been fine.

The ordinary meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council will be held this evening.

The appointment of seven actinglieutenants in corps at Nelson, Waikato Whangarei, and Tuapeka have been’cancelled for non-compliance with the defence regulations. Statutory meetings of both the Cook and Waikohu County Councils will be hold on Wednesday. 24th mst., when the election of a chairman for each body will take place. A meeting of the veterans, convened by Captain C. W. Ferris, will be held at the Farmers’ Union Club rooms at 3 p.m. on Friday, for the purpose ox forming a branch of the Royal Ncy l Zealand Association of His Majesty s. Veterans.

The next ordinary meeting of the Harbor Board has been fixed for Friday, 26th ins.t., to suit the convenience of the Parliamentary members ol the Board, the Hon. Captain Tucker and Mr. W. D. S. MacDonald, who leave for Wellington on the 28th inst.

It is understood that a company is being formed {says the “Post”) for the purpose of developing the taxi-cab traffic. It i,s proposed to place several of these vehicles on the Wellington streets, and later on, if the venture proves successful, to largely increase the number. The company is being formed privately. All necessary arrangements have been made for the Old Settlers’ picnic, to take place at the Patutahi Domain on Tuesday next. (King’s Birthday). In connection with the gathering it-is hoped to get a meeting of those qualified to join the local branch of the Koyal New Zealand Association of His Majesty’s Veterans, which it is intended to establish in this district.

South Australia, stimulated by tne activity of sister States, has decided to look-out for openings for her produce in the East. Cabinet lias resolved as a preliminary step to despatch Major Turton, State Commercial Agent, to Manila, Hongkong, Shanghai, Mogi, Kobe, and Yokohama for the purpose of investigating and reporting upon the possibility of establishing trade relations with those centres.

A prize of £lO, offered for the best design of a monument to be erected at Ship Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound, to the memory of Captain Cook, lias been won by Mr W. Mansfield, of Karon (savs the “Post.”) The monument is to be 37ft in height, with foundations, of concrete, basement ~r Milestone, and dais of concrete. A Corinthie column of marble or ferro-concrete will risefrom the dais, and bear a marble or bronze figure of the great circumnavigator.

The members of the East Coast Mounted Bifies do not intend to let their annual sports, which are to be field at the Park racecourse on luesday next, fail to be interesting from want of competition in the various events. The teams representing the Gisborne, Te Karaka, and Makaim troops in the “Lloyd Lindsay, ’ ‘fours jumping, “night alarm,” “'physical drill.” and “tent pitching” are practising almost daily, and members are also assiduously training for the individual events/so. that those who patronise the sports will be treated to a good day’s entertainment.

The Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan, Catholic Bishop of Auckland, paid a visitto Ormond on Monday evening, accompanied by the Rev. Father Tigar. His Lordship administered the sacra men c of confirmation to about 50 candidates, who had been prepared by the Rev. Father Dignan. There wus a very large congregation, St. Bede s Church being crowded. The Bishop delivered an impressive address. After the ceremony, a presentation took place in the sanctuary, when his Lordship was presented with an address of welcome by Father Dignan, who added a few words appreciative of the Bishop’s visit.

The action of the Hastings Borough Council in licensing a Sunday evening entertainment by a travelling troupe has been criticised by the local Anglican Minister (Rev. John Hobbs). In his sermon on Sunday week he said that while willing to countenance occasional after-church sacred concerts of a suitable character, he thought that the policy of the Borough Council was_apparentlv changing from the cautious one of its past history. Like other people, singers who worked all the week should have their Sunday preserved. The fact of taking a sacred subject did not- make a sacred concert, but a parody on one. And postponing the hour to' 8.30 did not remove the competition with services which were universally admitted to- be for the moral elevation of the people. As Sir Joseph Ward points out, we have a very drastic Gambling Act already in existence. Surely it is possible to make a few amendments in this Act so as to meet all reasonable requirements. Steps should certainly be taken to check the formation of pony racing clubs, and to withdraw the legal recognition accorded to bookmakers. If this is done we certainly think that in the public interests the newspapers should lie allowed to publish the business done on the State legalised totalisator. We do not say that the veto on “tips” and racing advice should be withdrawn, but it is absurdly inconsistent that while tlie Act makes it perfectly legal for the public to invest their money on the totalisator, it prevents them from ascertaining through the usual channels of information what dividends have been paid.— Christchurch “Press.” Ornamental but not useful, for the present, stands the crematorium at Karori (says the “Post.”) Apparently, the- wills of persons recently deceased have not disclosed any specific predilection for cremation, as no applications for the use of the new institution have yet been received. Even if there was an immediate demand for incineration facilities, it is doubtful whether the corporation would be at liberty to meet the wishes of the petitioners. The proposed regulations are still in the hands of a Government Department, awaiting that imprimatur which will enable the local authorities to light tlie cleansing fires. It is understood, that the Government may not pass the regulations in their present form, and there is likely to be some delay before the finished crematorium will be allowed to begin its sanitary mission. (News has been received later that the. first body has been cremated.)