TE KORERO

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 140, 15 June 1932, Page 16

TE KORERO

(By MICHAEL.)

Headquarters Jottings. The Sceonec Pack meets at training headquarters, Commerce Street, on Monday next. Metropolitan Scouters' training course will be held at training headquarters in Commerce .Street this day week. Rehearsal for Rover and Ranger play will he held at 9, Commerce Street, comorrow night from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m. All participating in the play are urged to be present. Scouters and Rovers of No. 1 District are holding a week-end camp at Gratia this coming' week-end. Arrangements with the secretary or Commissioner. The next proficiency badge night will be held on Wednesday. -June 20, at 11, Commerce Street. All entries for examination must be received at headquarters by June 20. * * # # Local Iwo-Bead Man. Advice has been received from Imperial headquarters that they have approved of the appointment of Mr. N. P. Walker as D.C.C, and the parch-

ment and beads will be presented at a suitable occasion. Commissioner Walker gave his initial session last week-end at the commissioners' Gihvell, when he spoke on "Scouting Out of Doors." "Michael" understands that this was well handled, and thoroughly enjoyed by his listeners, who accorded him an ovation at the conclusion of his yarn. * * * * Combined Concert. Arraiige-mejits arc now well in hand for the first combined Scout and Guide concert to be staged in the Auckland Town Hall on Wednesday, July G. The programme is a most interesting and varied one and should leave the public considerably enlightened regarding the work and capabilities of Scouts and Guides. Tickets arc now distributed through the various troops and companies, and a recent report from Girl Guide Headquarters states that that branch of the movement alone has already accounted for an exceptionally largo number of sales. The Scout movement will no doubt more than equal the Guides in sale figures, and troops arc asked to see that the itoys are kept well supplied with tickets. Glen Eden and Henderson News. It was in January, 192!), that Mr. Hocken, now D.C.M. of Xo. 1 district, fir.st entered into Scouting. The Glen Eden Group had enlisted his services as producer of a concert arranged in order to raise funds for a camp. Following on the staging of a most successful concert, S.M. Turner, who was in charge of the troop, tendered his resignation and Mr. Hocken agreed to take it on. From then on the group has not looked back. Early in 1930 the name was altered to Glen Eden-Henderson Group. This was brought about because the parents of some fifteen lads who used to cycle from Henderson to the parades at Glen Eden felt it was too much of a. strain during the winter months. With that spirit of service so characteristic of him, Mr. Hocken agreed to make the journey himself, and when the Rev. Cable, of Henderson, offered the free use of the Sunday school hall parades were held there for the benefit of the Henderson boys.

Later in the same year Mr. Hocken formed a Rover crew in connection with the Glen Eden-Tlcnderson Group, and the 12 Hover Scouts at present located there set an example for all to follow.

Some months ago Mr. Hocken took up residence in Henderson, and, realising that the group was efficiently staffed in every section, and believing the change to be in the best interests of Scouting, he recommended to the committee that the Henderson section should be under a separate control. The committee approved of this, at their last meeting, and Stouter Hocken will now i - ank as S.M. of the new Henderson Troop, with Scouter A. Allan in charge of Glen Ed.vi.

The Henderson meeting place is one of the Sebuticst dens one could find around Auckland, and the three patrols form a most happy family. Now that they have the more constant attention of the.v Scouters they should show great progress. Of course, although Mr. Hocken lias withdrawn from active work at Glen Eden, his influence will be ever prcscnl as a member of the Glen Eden Rover Scout crew.

Mount Albert Celebrates. It i» safe to say that the parents of the Mount Albert Wolf Cubs know more about Cubbing since last Wednesday week than they had done previously. On that date the pack celebrated its third birthday and about fifty people, including the committee and parents, watched a model pack programme. During the evening the Metropolitan Commissioner for Wolf Cubs, Mr. W. Matheson, presented the tartan ribbon to the pack for winning the district sports championship. Commissioner A. J. Gaily was also present. A supremely happy band of boys, who seemed very contented with the world, having partaken liberally of the good things to eat, and a much enlightened group of adults wended their way homewards after spending two hours and a half in the Scout hut. * * * • Northcote Group. On Thursday night, June !>, the usual routine work was carried out, including special practice for signalling, first aid, physical culture.and Indian club teams (writes the scribe). Football practice was held on Saturday afternoon as usual, also second-class tracking tests were conducted. The parade at the Anglican Church on Sunday, June 12, was of special interest, and a good number of Scouts and Cubs were present. The Rev. F. W. Wilkes, who has recently accepted the invitation to be Group chaplain, dedicated the banner. The address given by the chaplain was very inspiring and greatly appreciated by •those who were present at the service. All members of the group feel both honoured and gratified that the vicar is now a brother Scout. * » • • St. Thomas', New Lynn. Owing to the rain on Saturday afternoon last the tramp to the "Kauri Tree" at Titirangi was postponed (writes the scribe). Seventeen boys -were present at parade on Monday evening, five of whom were new boys. In the absence of the Scoutmaster the Assistant Scoutmaster took control. The Morse and semaphore signalling instructor, Mr. Forster, was also present. "Uncle" Sandford. Probably there are few D.C.C.'s who have participated in every type of Gilwell camp, so the veteran Commissioner Sandford, head of the New Zealand training team, has a unique record. The first New Zealand scout course was conducted in Christehurch, in 1924, and " Uncle," just returned from the English jamboree, was on the training staff there; at Wellington he was in charge of the first Gilwell camp for Hover Scout Leaders, and the course just

I completed was the first Commissioner's i Gilwell arranged in New Zealand. '" I am in my eightieth year now," he told a friend, "and I don't suppose I have long to go, but if in my time I can be a bit of help to anyone, then I shall be very happy." "Uncle" spreads the spirit of Scouting wherever he goes. May he ever be happy. * | ist TaSapuna Group. A scribe reports:—Bad weather cannot damp enthusiasm, and we were delighted to see such a large gathering of parents and friends at our first annual meeting on Tuesday evening in spite of the rain and cold. The gathering was entertained by a highly interesting and instructive display of jungle dances and items illustrating the different branches of training, of which the efficient rescue work and first aid by the Scouts formed a fitting climax to the Cubs' shipwreck scene. The excellent demonstration of an improvised stretcher was greatly enjoyed. Prizes for the best collections of leaves and shell were presented to Sixer Stanley Downard and Cub John Sinclair by the District Cubmaster, W. E. Randell, and a number of second class badges and service stars were also presented by the District Commissioner, M. Downard, who explained to the parents the programme of officer training now in operation throughout the metropolitan area. The group Scoutmaster is to be congratulated on the undoubted success of our first annual meeting and demonstrations, and like Oliver Twist, we ask for more.