O 28
Annexe F.
REPORT ON THE HONGKONG BOY SCOUTS ASSOCIATION.
Increased efficiency is the keynote of 1922, and the training is beginning to show results. Though numerically very little advance was made, in all other ways the year's work has been extremely satisfactory. Those responsible for examining the Scouts in the various tests report an ever increasing number of candidates, very few of whom failed to succeed. While the majority have aimed at winning the First Class Scout Badge, the object of which is to produce a thoroughly capable and responsible boy, ready for every emergency, very many have also acquired proficiency in other branches of scout and handi-craft. Three troops for instance have trained scouts in Basket-making, several boys have passed the Bookbinder Badge test, others have begun to learn Tailoring, the Musician Test has had successful candidates, Sick-Nursing in the home has been taught, Nature Study has not been forgotten, and one or two scouts have made the stars their special study. In addition to this every troop has held one or more camps, which really mean scout training condensed, and are the acme of scout training. As a result of this we can report useful work done during the strike in the spring, three Gilt Crosses awarded to Chinese Scouts for plucky and meritorious conduct, and general smartness all through.
We regret that owing to lack of suitable officers the junior branch, the Wolf Cubs, has been making little progress. We were unfortunate in losing three of our best helpers in that respect, one through leaving the Colony, one through ill-health, and one by death. Emil Anderson of the 2nd Pack showed great promise in running his Cub Pack, and it was a great blow to the Kowloon Scouts when at Stonecutters, while with a private bathing party, he, it is presumed, became exhausted and was drowned.
A request that a Pack should be started on the Peak we were unable to grant, owing to our inability to find someone to take charge of the training.
The Senior branch, the Rovers, shows no advance in numbers, but like the Scouts they are becoming increasingly efficient.
The outstanding Scouting event during the year was our inspection in the grounds of Government House by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, an honour which we shall not forget, and of which we shall be always reminded by the Prince of Wales Banner, presented to us in December by H.E. the Governor as Chief Scout of Hongkong, which is to be competed for by the troops annually, the most efficient troop holding it for one year, with the privilege of being entitled "The Governor's Troop."
Mr. Weyman, the first secretary of the Association, had to resign on leaving for home early in the year, his place being taken temporarily by Mr. A. Kirk, scoutmaster of the 3rd Troop,