TE KORERO

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 293, 11 December 1929, Page 24

TE KORERO

The Scouters' Meeting.

Over 40 Scouters and Clubbers were present- at the meeting called by Commit sioner Holdsworth on Thursday last, Prior to giving an account of the doings at the annual meeting, Mr. Holdsworth presented a number of warrants. The Auckland emblem, as previously decided upon by the Advisory Board, was shown to the gathering, and it Avas decided to sell these at 9d each. From our Commissioner's account of the annual meeting everyone should look forward with confidence to a successful year in 1930. Every consideration was given to the remits of all centres, and these, when put into practice, will have a profound (effect for the good of the movement. Most; important of all is the fact that the New Zealand rules, which have been in operation on trial for the last two years, Q,re tq go by the board and something more approaching the spirit of Imperial P.O.R. It is hoped that Captain Kirk (chairman of the council), Who pails for England early next year, will be able to take a copy of the new-rules with him for presentation to and: approval of Imperial Ileadquarters.'. In a most interesting fashion Commissioner Holdsworth outlined the activities 'of the annual meeting. After the Commissioner had told the meeting of the appointment of Dr. Fejuvick to the position of Dominion Chief Commissioner, the meeting carried by acclamation the following resolution: "This meeting of Auckland Scouters tenders hearty eogratulations to you on your appointment as Chief Commissioner for New " Zealand, at the same time assuring you of its whole-hearted support in every way for the advancement of the Scout movement in this pominion " * « « An Inspiring Talk. "Now that everything hus been put right it is up to all of us to make up our minds to get ahead and propave for Baden-Powell, so that when he comes here he will find the movement virile, vigorous and powerful," said Mr,'Holdsworth, in concluding his account of the doings at the annual meeting of the council in Christchurch. "Cur Chief .postponed his visit until 1931," he continued, "in order that wo might, clean up the trouble, but now that all 'is settled it is only fit and proper for everyone to pull together, with the idea of putting the movement on the map. I believe that if you all put your backs into it..wo will regain the confidence of the public,' and when Baden-Powell > arrives wo will reap the full benefit of his ..visits and so give the movement a ' wonderful impetus. h ''Forget the past," pleaded Mr. HoldsJ worth in conclusion, "You Scouters have ' stood behind me in the past—l want you to stand behind me now. I know you i will go back to your troops and put 1 your, backs to the wheel to help on the movement —to help on the Jade of New Zealand." - i ' Mr. Bo«\vell, in rising to propose a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Holdsworth, said' that the news the Scouters had learned that night was the best he had heard during his 12 years' association with the movement in Auckland. "We are the luckiest district in New Zealand," said Mr. Boswell, "for we have got as a leader a man who has really got the spirit of scouting. In the twelve ■ months that we have* left in which to : prepare for • the Chief's visit everyone must put : their backs into it to' make our rally a success. The effort must not be for the success of the rally so much , as for the spirit of the thing. I ask . you to do your best to so train your i boys that we may suitably greet BadenPowell, so that he can say ho has seen : something worth while." r • * (*' S" * '■! # * The Metropolitan. Scheme. Commissioner Holdsworth announced 1 to the Scouters on Thursday last that 1 | the metropolitan scheme of organisation : | had been adopted by the Dominion Coun- ; cil. In future all assistant commissioners will be known as district commission- ' ers, and Mr. Holdsworth assumes the ' • title of metropolitan commissioner. 1 * .. .■ * * i From the Annual Report. 1 A grand total of 10,808 scouts of ! all ranks is mp.de up as follows:— / Scouters 943, Cubs 3434, Scouts G303, Rovers 128. There are altogether 2(33 > troops and 178 packs. Auckland's figures, with Wellington's in brackets for comparative purposes, are—4o (62) troops, f 27 (48) packs, 5 (5) Sea Scout companies, 5 (1) Rover , crews, with a total of 1743 (2622) all hands, made up as follows: 117 (210) Scouters, §57 ~(1374) ! Scouts, 513 (828) Cubs, 196 (152) Sea 1 Scouts, and 60 (52) Rovers. * * « « * e No. 1 Division Sports Day. * The patrol leaders of No. 1. Division j have been hard at work for some weeks past arranging details of the sports day, -i which is to be held on Saturday next, <, December 14, at the Bayfield Public ( School grounds, Jervois Road, Heme Bay. The sports start at 2 p.m. sharp. The t arrangements were made by the boys; v Jill they ask is for the Scouters to act as judges, starters, etc., and to make c themselves generally useful. The following is the full programme. No more than two entries per troop in any event other than the/three-legged race, where ( two pairs are allowed is permissible:— 100 yds, over 11 and under 13 years; „ 100 yds, over 13 and under 15; 100 yds, £ over 15; 220 yds, over 11 and under 15; ]■ 220 yds, over 13 and under 15; 220 yds, t over 15; half-mile, over 11 and under 15; B one mile, opens sack race, 50yds, open; three-legged race, open; wheelbarrow, c 50yds, open; back race, open; putting the 0 shot, over 11 and under -13 years; put l - a ting the shot, over 13 and under 15; one a mile walk, open handicap; relay, 300 yds, q over 11 and under 15 (team of six)'; high r jump, over 11 and under 13; high jump, j over 13 and under 15; throwing the ball, s open; tug-o'-war (teams to be decided on J_ the ground); Scouters' race. a Points will be awarded for cup only .on a events between ages 11 and 15, and will v be awarded as follow:—Four points, first v place; two points, second place; one 1 point, third place. I The troop winning most points will. C be awarded cup valued at £5 5/. This 't will- be competed for annually. The t< Scout awarded most points will be vi awarded * miniature cup. . « ■> a

. The NeJCt JambQrse. , With a big'lnternational Jamboree just finished, and with every Seouter and Scout wishing that -it had been possible for hira to pe present, many are asking when and where the next' Jamboree is to be held, so that they may endeavour to be there, The financial part is the main trouble, but you have.a, period of four years in which to "save up." The next Jamboree will be held in 1933. Invitations have been received from a number of countries, but the decision as to place has been deferred until the meet? ing of the International Conference in 1931. This conference will be held in Salzburg, Austria, Either immediately before or after the conference there will be an International Rover Moot at Kandesteg, Switzerland, *•- * » Auckland Rovers. • An initiation ceremony Avas held at St, David's pn Friday, December 6, when Rover AJan Tnbble was initiated by Dis? tilct R.S, Leader Rux Bach. Three other recruits, realising the solemnity pf the service, postponed until further prepara* tion their own entry into initated Rover' ing. The D,R. S S L. expressed gTQ&t plea* sure at the nne type of yoijng jpen St. David's was preparing. He/felt that service was not only 7 their motto, hnt their life. * •»'■ .•.-.. *■■•- ,'#. ■'■ A Rover Gathering. Notices will be circulated to all the Rovers of Auckland with whom the D,R. S-Lr can get in touch regarding the Christmas gathering, which will be held under the chairmanship of Metropolitan Commissioner W, J. Hpldsworth on the evening of December 23, at 7-30, in St, David's Hall, Khyber Pass. A real Rover programme will be presented, Spread the good news. t*« ■ • . Overseas Visitor.

A most interesting and entertaining Scout visitor to Auckland at present is Dr. Julius P. de Vilnits, an Scout frpin Riga, the capital of Latvia, one of the Bafkau States, This is the fourth year of this wanderer's tour of the world by motdr bike, and Dr.- Vilnits can yarn away for hours on end pn dif' ferent items of his trek. To date tip has visited 45 different countries, all of which he seems roost convjereant' with. Incidentally, he talks eleven different languages raqst fluently. In his travels it is scouting that interests him nwet, and five- extra large exercise books contain signatures and m6ssag6s frdni ScQutere and commissioners of many nationalities and written in scores of different languages. "Michael" had the pleasure of perusing these books, together with a section of some 8000 odd photographs taken in different parts of the world. In 1028 Dr. Vilnits became mixed up with, political intrigue in his own country, and as a result gave up scouting, but nevertheless hie interest is still there, as the hundreds of messages from headquarters commissioners and othere throughout the world testify. Revering, ho says, is strongest in British countries, but is to.be found.in roos| countries he has visited. His knowledge of rovering is most comprehensive; and all who can should meet our visitor. '. I| was very interesting to learn that in his homo town the scarves are of a standard colour for each section of the movement. Thus Cubs wear white scarves, Scouts red, and Rovers black with a yellow stripe ljin from the edge. Another interesting point is that the Scouts wear their patrol colours around their stocking top and use red garter tabs. All troop leaders wear red scarves with a blue stripe ljin from the edge. Cubbers wear blue scarves and Scouters green. All Cubs use a white scarf. This ex-Rover who, by the way, is a fullyqualified medical practitioner and a very competent journalist, expects to be another nine months on the-'trek before lie again reaches his homeland, and Auckland scouting circles wish him . smooth trailing. '.

First Gordon's Birthday. The seventh birthday celebrations of the First Gordon Troop, were held last Saturday in Gaiety Social Hall, Surrey Crescent, writes S.M. Max Stralen. The proceedings opened with the inspection of the group by Metropolitan Commissioner W, J. Holdsworth, who was accompanied by Scout Commissioner E. B. Boswell and Cub Commissioner. A. J. Veart. In presenting the annual report the group committee chairman mentioned that the groupjs activities were very much in not having its own hall or den. After a display by j the ScOuts, Commissioner W. J. Holdsworth spoke a few appropriate words to both parents and boys and then made the 1 following presentations:—Best all round Cub,. Senior Sixer N. Collins; best attendance...and progress, Sixer. L. Widdows; best progress shown, Scout A. Watson; best attendance, Se.out.' R. Dowsing; greatest.help,to S.M., Leader F. Whiting; winner of r patrol competition. Kiwi Patrol. Opportunity wa.s also taken to present the committee secretary (Mrs. E. Whiting) with a silver .thanks badge, as a small token of, appreciation, of her untiring efforts and work on'behalf of the group. Humorous, recitations' by Rover Trevor Binns (Grey Lynn Rovers), songs by Miss Feaver; Spanish dance by Miss Victory Kerr, recitations by Sixer D. Whiting and Miss Gladys Hodder, and "Cohen on the 'Phone" by Mr. H. P." Carlsen were very much appreciated, as also was music provided by the St. Peter's Trio. A sit-down supper for all brought a very enjoyable evening to a close.

I Vindictive Sea Scouts. | Last Friday; night Mr. Harrison I (H.M.s. Dunedin) took over the seniors and juniors for signals. He will be giving the boys some first-class instruction for the few Fridays, and all hands will do well to attend. Wo wish to announce that Mr. Foote (recentlv master of Victory) has signed on a's' mate. For the ; last few months the company has been slowly going to pieces owing to.the inability of regular attendance of officers. In the future re<mlar attendance of Scouts and Cubs is required in order that the company can reach a high standard of efficiency. Parents can help us in this respect by seeing that their boys are regular.. Arrangements for the Christmas camp are as yet not definite, but we will be away for. eight or nine days. As yet the whaler has not been .launched, but she will be ready for Christmas. Bo'sun's Mate George Carter leaves shortly for England and- the training ship H.M.6. Conway. If he brings as much honour to Vindictive, as Mr. Alex.- Woods did to Calliope,,, we will be highly pleased with him. All hands wish him Kia Ora and-bon voyage. ■'.--.-/.. • : '• -,

Edendale Cub Pack. The Edendale Cub Pack are holding a pound night next Monday, December 16, a§ a wind-up for the year's activities. All parents and friends are cordially invited to be present. A special church parade will be held on Sunday 15th for Scouts and Cubs, who are expected to turn out up to the mark. Commissioner W. J. Holdsworth will give an address. # •■ *■ • •••■" New Lynn Troop. New Lynn troop is again on the map, and to stay this time, writes, the Scputer. We have 14 boys on the roll and 12 going to camp. To enable us to g6 to camp we are having a concert on Saturday .night, which will be carried on mostly by "Auckland's Little Artists/' who have kindly volunteered to give their services free of charge. These pepple are professional singers, dancers, comedians, etc. The Rovers and Scouts of St. David's, St. Barnabas and Glen Eden ti'oops have also volunteered to give us a few items each. The boys we now have in the troop are very keen and eager about their work. /•■•■■'.">'. * * » Vindictive Regatta. The big event of the Sea Scout year. We wish to announce .that it is to be held at Bayswatei- on Saturday, February g, 1930, at 2,30 p.m. L a st year the regatta was a great success, but this year we are put to excel ourselves in showing what the Sea Scouts really can do. A hig programme has been drawn up, and all we require now is the fullest support of eve?y Sea Cub and Sea Scout and a large attendance of parents and friends on the day,