SCOUT NEWS

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 247, 18 October 1922, Page 11

SCOUT NEWS

(By TATIIFINDER.)

The usual monthly training camp for scout officers was held at Narrow Neck last week-end. Tinny officers availed themselves of the advanced instruction, and many interesting subjects were dealt with. A notable tVature of the camp was the investiture ceremony, all officers having ; passed the required test being sworn in; as scouts. J I am often asked, what is the meaning i of the term "Scouting." Well, here it is : i By the term "«cuutiui!" is meant the work i anil attributes of backwoodsmen, explorers, anil froutiersmen. lv giving the elements of these to boys we supply a system of games and practices which meets their desires and instincts, and is at the same i time educative. From the boys' point of ■view "Bcouting" puts them into fraternity gangs, which is their natural organisation : it appeals to their imagination and romance, aud it engages them in an active open-air life. From t..e parents' point of view it gives physical health and develop- | ment : it teaches energy, resourcefulness, and handicrafts; it puts into the lad dis-j cipline. pluck, chivalry, and patriotism; in a word, it develops "character," which is more essential than anything else to a ; lad for making his way in life. The prin- j ciple on which "scouting" works is that | the boy's ideas are studied, and he ie encouraged to educate himself instead of' beius instructed. The principle is in accord with that of the most up-to-date educationists. It continues the educalon . of the kiudergarcn and Montessori method ■ in due sequence. From the national point I of view our aim is solely to make the rising generation into good citizens Our training divides itself under four heads: (1) Individual character. (2) Handicrafts or hobbies (31 Service for the State. (4) Physical health.

Arrangements are well under way for the grand concert and initiation ceremony of the newly-formed Onehunga town troop, to be held in the Foresters' Hall to-morrow (Thursday) evening. His Worship the Jlayor of Oaehunga, ilr. J. Park,- will preside, and the troop colours are to be presented by Mrs. K. Daniels. A splendid musical programme has been arranged, and we hope that this new troop will meet with much success.

The Holy Sepulchre troop Is maSlne good progress uinler the scoutmastership of Mr. C. Hyde. The first troop anniversary is to be celebrated in the Parish Hall, Burleigh Street, on Thursday evening, October 26. Parents and friends interested in scouting are specially asked to attend.

We believe the St. Barnabas' wolf cube had a special service on Sunday for the dedication of their new colours, but no information has reached us regarding it, so we must be content with just mentioning It.

The committee set up to deal with the programme of. scout events on Labour Day have been making good progress, and a very tine list of athletic events has been prepared. Thanks are due to the Labour Bay Celebration Committee for their kindness In providing n number of valuable prizes for the successful competitors.

Every week scouts from other towns or other lands are filter,ug our city. They look for thp buttonh'ilu badge, the sign o£ a good scout welcome. You never know who is looking out for a brother scout, bo don't forget to wear your badge. And that reminds mc that I often pass scouts who do not observe my badge, or forget to salute it if they see it It is our duty and privilege to salut« a brother scout if we meet him. Yoifll remember next time, won't you'; "Kovers" are scouts, who being no longer "just boys," but are realising that they are youns men. yet knowing from experience the value of scouting to them, are loth to give it up. yet feel that they are a little o!(' to be quite in tune with thfir juniors, and so have formed troops "Rovers." Lnst May Sir Robert BadenPowell published a book called "Rovering to Success," which is undoubtedly one of the best books of advice to young men ever published.

Are you Interested in stamp collecting? A Philatelic Club has now been formed, and meets oucc a month at the District Headquarters Kooms. To those Interested in philately I advise you to join. You will be able to add to your collection and exchange stamps. Write to the secretary. Leader \V. E. .Moore. 35, Staumore Road, (irey Lyun, who will furnish you with all particulars.

Auckland ucoms will be sorry to learn that Patrol Leader Oberlin Smith, of the Leys Institute troop, was knocked down by a motor car last Saturday morning, and was so injured that he had "to be removed

(o the hospital. Latest reports state that he is much better, and we hope ere long to hear of his conjplete recovery. - We often hear scoutmaßters~and others

speaking of the •'scout spirit" meaning the spirit in which a thing is done. Many people may wonder what this means. The following two local examples may serve to make the matter plain. In a certain troop a prize was offered to the scout who succeeded best in a competition. One scout bad done very well, and on being commended by the chairman of his troop committee, who suggested that the boy might win. made the reply : "Oh, sir, l"m not worrying about the prize; it's the honour ot mv patrol I'm thinking about." The other incident was connected with the recent field Uav. One of the umpires noticing a hefty and athletic-looking scout asked him "How many shoulder knots he had captured." He replied, "Only two, rir." "How was that?" asked the umpire. "Oh," replied the scout, "I couldn't find any big scouts to tackle ; those 1 met were all too small." That is the spirit to encourage—th" Fpirit of fair play and thought for others. Team work more than individual work. An examination for distance judging for the marksman's badge is to be held on Saturday ufiernoon. November 4. Candidates will rpport to Captain Willoughby at the Stanley Street entrance to the Domain at 2 p.m. Arrangements are now well under way for the hig scout rally to be held at l'almerston North at Christmas time. It is to be hoped that as many of the Auckland scouts as possible will be journeying to Palmerston to take part. It seems to mc that the scouts are going to have a jolly sood time, and the trip is by no means an expensive one for such an outing. Ask ynnr seoufmaster all about it, and let Him know as early as possible whether you are going or not. I understand headquarters are anxious to have a return ol

approximate numbers going forward from our city by the 31st inst.