TE KORERO

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 120, 23 May 1928, Page 16

TE KORERO

All St. Aidan's Scouts must parade in Newmarket by the Gun Reserve on Friday, May 25, at 7 p.m. sharp. No staves. The first-class tests, which were to have been held on June 2, will now be held on June 9. A full-dress rehearsal of all Scouts and Cubs will be held at the Drill Hall on Saturday next, May 26. It is your duty to be there. Michael regrets that the newly-formed Sea Scout Company under Mr. A. J. Veart, was, owing to a printer's error, wrongly spelt. The troop is the Hawk Troop. • • • • It is to be hoped that Saturday, June 2, will redeem Auckland scouting in the eyes of the Governor-General. It will be remembered that on the last occasion upon which His Excellency inspected Auckland Bcouts there were only some 400 odd on parade, and His Excellency passed a somewhat severe but undoubtedly just criticism upon the parade state. Every Cub, Scout, Rover and Scouter in the Auckland district must now feel it his duty to be present on June 2 to show our late Chief Scout that Auckland scouting has improved in spirit, efficiency and strength. On that day Calliope, as the most efficient Sea Scout company in New Zealand, will be presented with the Jellicoe Trident, and it will be but a poor compliment to them to receive the coveted trophy at the hands of the Governor-General in the presence of but a handful of their land-scout brothers. Let Calliope's success t>e the bell which peals out the glad tidings that Auckland scouting has awakened to its responsibilities.

Last Thursday "Skip" McFarland's den was the scene of a korero which will go very far towards giving Auckland scouting a help along the road to efficiency. It was just a round-table conference of only a few leading Scouters, but when over left one with a feeling of something done —something which will give material help toward advancement. The work done that night was to make out a syllabus of training for Scouters. This is an opportunity none can afford to lose, and when shortly Scouters will be invited to attend It is expected that everyone will make an effort to be present. Starting with tenderfoot work, the final objective is the wood badge. Scouters will hear from Mi. McFarland in the near future.

The Onehunga Town Troop scribe writes: Christmas has passed and camp with it. Easter also has gone and ! camp, likewise, with it. The Easter camp was spent at Cornwallis by 14 boys. Swimming was a most important item, while along with it went badges (naturalist's, swimmer's and cook's, etc). A visit to Huia was well enjoyed by all, except one poor lad, who said, "It's not the 'scran' making me sick (a pause) —but the bumps," as we went by the S.M.'s flivver. The Patrol Competition Shield has now beeh won by the Panther Patrol, under P.L. K. Skinner and Second B. Potter. No patrol has yet succeeded in gaining the shield twice in succession or twice at intervals. The troop magazine, the "Totem," has just published the fourth copy, being the first for the year of 1928. It contains some very interesting little articles written by the editor, Cub mistress and boys themselves. We have in the troop at present 21 Cubs and 24 Scouts and four officers— about enough for the S.M. to manage. A c icert was run by the committee on November 24, with takings amounting to a little over £0. The P.L.'s, SJd. and A.S.M. have made two visits, honouring Hunua and Cornwallis by their presence, in order to find dome good spots for Easter camps. The troop court of honour is a very important council in connection with the troop. It gives the S.M. some much-required aid in running the troop, as it is not desirable that he should decide everything. This court consists of the P.L.'s, S.M., A.S.M. and T.L. Much, if not all, of the progress of the troop is due to the ceaseless efforts of our S.M., and we are all very thankful to have such a man as our leader.

At the quarterly pound night the Commissioner inspected the troop and presented over 45 badges and two all-round cords, writes "Deerfoot" of St. Aldan's Troop. A large number of visitors and the committee were present. Six cubs and a patrol from St. Mary's were present. The standard for general efficiency donated by Miss Bartrom was won by the Owls (P.L. Blake), 310 points, with the Tuis (P.L. Nairn), 307 points, second. The Patrol Cup was won by the Kiwis (P.L. Bowkett), 300 points, with the Tuis, 297 points, second. The games competition results to date are: Tuis, 17 points; Foxes, 12 points. On Friday night last St. Aidan's leaders and seconds were the guests of Ellerslie Troop at a pound night, where they learnt some new and interesting games and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. On Saturday the Cubs played the Scouts at football and, although the Cubs had the better team, they were beaten by 9 to 0. At present the troop is concentrating on first-class work, as about 16 Scouts "will go for their first-class at the next exam.

The Punua Pack, writes D. M. Watts, A.C.M., continues to show their usual keenness and interest in their work. The pack and troop were visited by D.S.M. Berry on Anzac night. The D.S.M. addressed them on the meaning of Anzac and told some of his experiences in France during the war. At the last parade the pack was visited by Mrs. Laws and her three Cubs, who are members ot Miss Wilson's pack at Bulls. The pack combined with the troop and the evenin** was spent playing games, the visiting Cubs showing some new games. On Friday the pack spent the dav at the Domain. They had intended to go further afield had the weather been more settled, but all appeared to enjoy themselves playing outdoor games, etc • * • . ' VINDICTIVE SEA SCOUTS. Friday's parade was not quite up to standard, owing to the doubtful weather and the fact that most of the boys travel a long way to parade. Nevertheless good work was done in ambulance and signals. Mr. Buchanan once again ably assisted the troop with his services. Both Messrs. Carr and Dunne supervised the signal classes, and much improvement was noticed. The parade wound up with a lively game of "Dog and the Bone." Saturday's parade was in charge of Mr. L. Lees. Much rain water in the whaler had to be baled and a strong mooring put down. The 12ft 6in boat was hauled up on to dry land and made snug for the winter. The parade was -dismissed at 4.30 p.m. ■