BOY SCOUTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2657, 12 November 1909, Page 3 (Supplement)

BOY SCOUTS.

OPERATIONS ON KING’S BIRTHDAY. King’s Birthday was gala day for the Boy Scouts in Gisborne. In the morning the combined forces, to the number of 44, paraded at the- Fire Belfry, where the Union Jack was saluted and short speeches given. Then the patrols, under Scoutmaster Inglis, marched to the Trig Station, on the Kaiti Hill and flag raiding manoeuvres were gone into. Three flags were planted at the station and ten scouts were told off to defend them. These defenders, who left Half an hour before the attackers, mainly comprised members of the No. 1 troop, the original scouts i:i Gisborne, and showed considerable strategy. The remaining scouts were then formed into their respective patrols and endeavored to work their way through the defenders, who were .stationed in pairs in a circle, about 150 yards from the flags. The object was for the patrols to secure a flag or flags without being twice touched by the defenders. Points were awarded for securing a flag, for the fastest time and for each man getting through. The game caused great interest and excitement, and finally little Les. McKay, of the Y.M.C.A. Tigers, had the honor of securing the first flag. After the flag raiding luncheon was partaken of and instruction given in signalling, then the game “deer-stalking” was played. Prior to the commencement of the day’s proceedings the No. 1 troop held the official opening of their headquarters in Palmerston Road. "ST. ANDREW’S TROOP. The St. Andrew’s troop is now forming a second patrol and the swearing in will take place at an early date. The Wolf Patrol is- working hard and the Scoutmaster is m hopes of sending Hie Scouts up for their Second Class Badge in a few weeks. On Saturday aiternoon a dispatch was run by Corporal Wallace, but the scouts under Sergeant Birss proved too many for him, and after some good manoeuvring he was captured. Tlie patrol also did some work in the open in extended formation. and it is very satisfactory to note the grip they have got already of their work. Bugler Porter of the Wolves, had the honor of playing the General Salute at the Saluting of the Flag on King’s Birthday, and deserves great credit- for the way in which he performed. Y. M. C. A. TROOP. The Y. M. C. A. scouts met last Monday evening for staff and patrol drill. A new patrol—the Cuckoos — was formed with IL. Jones as leader. Several of the scouts are preparing for the test to secure the 2nd class scout s bad ere.

THE SCOUT’S PATROL SONG

RUDYARD KIPLING’S ADVICE.

The sanction which is given in England to the great organisation of Jhe Bov Scouts is evident- from the iact that Mr. Rudyard Kipling has emerged': from a spe.l of quasi-retirement to dedicate to the Scouts a new pa i.rolseng from his own pen. It runs:

These are our regulations — There’s just one law for the Scout, And the first- and the last, and the present and the past, . And the future and tiie perfect is “Look out!”

I. thou, and he, look out! We, ye, and they, look out! Though you didn’t, or you would? 1, t, Or you hadn’t or you couldn't- $ You jolly well must look out!

Look out when you start for the day That your kit is packed to your mmd : There’s no use coing away With half of it left behind. Look 'Wit that your laces are tight, And vour boots are easy and stout, Or end with a blister by night. v Chorus) patrols look cut.

Look out for the birds m the air. Look out for the beasts of the field ; They’ll tell you how and where The other side’s concealed. When the blackbird bolts from the copse, And the cattle are staring about The wise commander stops, And (Chorus) all patrols look out!

Look out when your front is clear And vou feel that vour bound to win, Look out for your flank and your rear, For that’s where surprises begin. For the rustle that isn’t, a rat, For the splash that isn’t a trout, For the boulder that may be a hat. (Chorus) All patrols look out!

For the innocent knee-high grass, For the ditch that never tells, Look out! look out ere you pass— Arid look out for everything else! A sign misread as you run May turn retreat to rout— For all tliiugs under the sun (Chorus) All patrols look out!

Look out when your temper goes At the end of a losing game; And your boots are too tight for your * toes, And you answer and argue and blame. It’s the hardest part of the law, But it has to be learnt by the Scout— For whining and shirking and jaw, (Chorus) All patrols look out!