SCOUT NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 252, 23 October 1924, Page 15

SCOUT NEWS.

All troops are now looking campwards, and several will be making the most of the long week-end in which Labour Day is included. Amongst these is the Cromwell Troop, the members of'which are planning an enjoyable time under canvas. At its last parade, the troop was instructed by its A.S.M. in ambulance work and signalling, with a game of ninepins' following. From all accounts .there is a great deal of keenness in th.e_ Whaxepoa. Troop, and, although quite a considerable distance from local headquarters, it is tending-to become one of the most active and forward troops in the Association. A photograph of the troop was received at headquarters, and, although not all the" scouts uppear on this, those who do look a promising lot of 'lads.. The troop meets specially every Wednes-

day for instruction in first aid, and several scouts are gardens for • their, gardeners' badges. Last Saturday, the following proficiency badges were gained :— L. Faville. musician's and cook's; A. Andrews, dairyman's; R. Andrews, pathfinder's and dairyman's; Hugh Morrison, second class. The inter-patrol signalling challenge had to be postponed owing to bad weather.' During the usual course of tenderfoot, second-class, and flrst-class work at last Friday evening's parade of the Calliope Sea Scouts, Mr. B. A. Woods, the Assistant Commissioner for Sea Scouts, paid the troop a visit, together with Mr. Tipping, an enthusiastic friend of "Calliope." On Saturday, despite the bad weather, a crew of twelve rowed the cutter Hinemoa across to Calliope Docks from St. Mary's bead, Ponsonby, an* although all got wet through, the spirit amongst the scouts was excellent. The cutter, which was high and dry, took a great deal of launching- When the boat was safely moored, the boys took to strenuous wrestiing in order to keep warm and prevent colds. Xews has come to hand of Mr. H. Mills,' the scoutmaster of Calliope Troop, pass- | lng away on Monday night, after several l weeks' illness. All connected with the Troop and other members of the Association will be greatly grieved at his loss. All arrangements for the Sea Scouts' week-ena cruise for Labour Day iave been cancelled.' Last Friday evening the Epipbany Troop was honoured by visits from several members of the Troop Committee. During the evening one patrol of scouts did a troop a pood turn by returning scenery borrowed for the recent concert, and so missed the games part of the parade. The troop had arranged to go into camp last week-end, but owing to the very wet weather was unable to carry out its plans. However, it is intended to make up for the loss of this week-end at Labour week-end, when the troop has arranged to go away to Manurewa. Several fireman's badge practices and Saturday afternoon cricket have recently been missed, owing no doubt to ■preparations for the troop concert held last week. The new Sea Scout Troop, "The Fame," Is going ahead exceptionally well, and although only started about a month ago, has thirty boys in its ranks with several more on the waiting list. The members of the Point Chevalier Sailing Club 'are giving the troop every support and assistance, and are allowing the troop to use the club's premises for parade purposes. There is a great deal of local interest taken in the troop, and Mr. F. C. Jordan, local solicitor, Is acting as the troop secretary, with Mr. F. G. Rose as chairman. Mr. Paul, the scoutmaster, is getting well into the running of the troop, and hopes to have the boys ready for the investiture very shortly. The next first-class exams, will be held ,

at the Western Springs on the last Saturday in November (20th), and all scoutmasters intending to enter boys for these exams, whether for all or part of the tests, should send in their lists to headquarters no later than Monday, November 17. All Journey reports, articles of handicrafts, and thrift, swimming, and training of tenderfoot tests are now required to be handed in to headquarters before the practical tests are taken at the Springs. The Judean Troop held a concert party Tpbearsal last Saturday evening, and is hoping to have rehearsals on every Saturday evening until the troop concert. Next week the concert party will meet at 7 p.m. at the "Den." when a full dress rehearsal will be held. Courts of Honour have recently been difficult to run owing to scouts being taken up with home lessons and military drills, but in future the difficulty will bn overcome by the "court" meeting every Sunday before parade (from 2 to 3 n.m.l. and having parade half-an-hour later to allow for this (from 3.30 to 5.30 p.m.). From next Sunday the troop will parade at 3 p.m. accordingly. Last Sunday the troon was unable to meet in the big hall, and so had to resort to the use of the "Den" for tbe^parade. The afternoon was devoted to further examinations in tenderfoot tests, and it is expected to have the two older established patrols as full "tenderfeet" within a week or so. The new patrol is coming along well under its energetic leader and second and several ideas have already secretly been sngzested by the patrol to the S.M. This patrol has chosen the "emblem" of the fox. and will -be known in future as the "Cute" Patrol.