TE KORERO

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 224, 21 September 1932, Page 14

TE KORERO

" Day is Done . . ." When a Scoutmaster arranges for i pound night he can always guarantee that the only absentee will be a very, very sick boy. But when the training board called* a combined pound night of the Seeone Pack and Te Akarana Troop they little thought similar conditions would apply. That over sixty Scouters turning up at the closing night for the year's training threw the training team off its balance, is as true as the fact that it sent them home at the end of the function with a warm feeling in their hearts. The big hall in 11, Commerce Street looked small in the face of such numbers, and indeed it was scarcely large enough for boisterous team games. Interested spectators were Metropolitan Commissioner W. J. Holdsworth and Messrs. Mills and Thompson, \»ho spoke to the gathering regarding a finance raising scheme on behalf of the unemployed boys of the city. Games were the order of the evening, and into these all joined with wholehearted enthusiasm. The C.M., Akela Leader J. R. Middleton, gave a most interesting yarn on group records. In advocating a common log for all sections of the group, the speaker likened this system to the "journal" of a business house in that it showed the transactions for the year, and from which could be discovered the profit or loss of the undertaking.

After supper, demonstration initiation and going up ceremonies were staged, when wide-eyed and expectant "Ray" was initiated as a Cub, and boisterous, carefree "Billy" the Cub, took leave of his pack and was sent from the jungle to the trail that leads to scouting. Despite the late hour, a cainpfire was demanded, and for thirty minutes fam.ous campiire "hits" were revived before the closing hymn, prayer and "taps." Possibly for many "Day is done" held a deeper meaning than the words would imply ... A year's training complete . . . a new day dawning. Thank You. Some months ago the Metropolitan Training Board planned a scheme of training for Auckland Scouters. Ltfst Monday saw their task completed and a successful programme carried out in its entirety. The personnel of the board, Commissioners I}. Johns (chairman), N. P. Walker, D.C.C., .J. R. Middlcton, Akela Leader, and N. M. Matheson, represents the inost advanced thought in Scouting, Cubbing and Rovering in Auckland, and it is only right that an appreciation of their services should he recorded. The job of the training team is no sinecure; already busy men, the training staff face more meetings than one would like to enumerate, and decisions over a restaurant table are a bye word with them. When the Scouter decrees the night is too cold and boisterous to venture out, the training team struggle through a troop or pack meeting which would have been ever so much easier to run had the stay-at-homes been present.

Trophies and badge work are in the hands of the training staff, with Commissioner Matheson as specialist in th# capacity of secretary and organiser. And so, with the voice of Scouters of Auckland "Michael" says "thank you."

First Aid Trophies. The annual competitions for the Court First Aid Shield and Millar Cup were held at the Burns Statue, Outer Domain, on the afternoon of Saturday last. Three teams competed for the Court First Aid Shield, which was won by the Ist Gordon Troop, the present holders. St. Aidan's Troop secured second place, being only one point behind the winners. Four teams competed for the Millar Cup, and again the Ist Gordon Troop supplied the winning team, with Ist Kitcheners in second place. The thanks of Scouts and Scout headquarters are due to Mr. C. Marks and the representatives of the St. J oil ii Ambulance Brigade wlio acted as judges. # * » • Badge Fixtures. First-class tests will be held at the Western Springs on Saturday, October 1. These are the last Springs tests for this year. The last badge night for the year will be held at 11, Commerce Street, on Wednesday, October 5. * * » • The Boxing Contests. The secretary of the Trophies Board advises that the boxing competitions for the Legion of Frontiersmen trophies will be held at Scots Hall, Symonds Street, on Friday, October 28.' Copies of the conditions may be had on application to headquarters. # * tr . # ist Henderson Troop. During the recent school holidays, the above troop spent a most enjoyable and profitable five days up in the Waitakere Ranges with their Scoutmaster. The two patrols, the Kiwis and Moreporks, entered into competition in all games, work and even treasure hunts. On the Sunday the troop visited Commissioner A. Service who was in residence near by, and a Scout's Own was conducted under perfect conditions by Commissioner J. R. Middleton. A most important event was the camp fire with the Commissioner as camp fire chief. * • » • Grey Lynn News. On Friday last the Grey Lynn Scouts and Cubs "held a combined campfire, when a short-notice farewell was accorded A.C.M. A. Robinson, who left on - Monday last for a.Matamata farm. Allen joined the troop as a boy, and has been constantly associated with the group for the last six years. When 18 months ago C.M. E. Taylor left for the Old Country, the present A.C.M. took over the pack* and ably carried on the work. No doubt Allen will find time to link up with Matamata scouting, so Grey Lynn's loss will be their gain. During the evening Pack-Leader Gascoigne was received into the troop, thus advancing yet another step in the long trail of good scouting. Seven recruits joined lip on Friday, and Scoutmaster Swales advises that only a few more will be accepted before the rolls are closed. » * # » Red Tape. The above was the rather startling title chosen by Commissioner D. Johns for the subject of his' talk to the Scouters of No. 1 district on Wednesday last. However, in the early stages of a 50-minute talk Commissioner Johns proved that his subject was full of tasty meat, and the red tape resolved itself into the responsibilities of the Scoutmaster to the boy, the parent, the chief and his delegated subordinates, and to the general public. A very hearty vote of thanks was ae--corded the speaker ■ for his able and interesting talk.