SCOUT NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20382, 31 October 1931, Page 11

SCOUT NOTES.

[excltjsivb to the press.] LBy The Metropolitan Commissioner.] It was mentioned in the Scout Notes a -week or two ago that owing to financial difficulties we would be unable to renew the lease of Trench Farm. The owner, Mr Florance, now writes to say that he will allow us to continue to use it, provided the property and camps are under the supervision of our warder Commissioner Furby. Scouts have reason to be very grateful to Mr Florance, and to feel that he has done a good turn to them. Camps cannot be held without permission from Headquarters, and that should hold a camper's license. In the matter of camps, the good name of Scouters is most important. Don't leave gates open or leave fires burning; clear up all the rubbish; try to leave the ground as if no camp had been held there at all;' don't cut down trees or carve your names on them; and if you can help Mr Florance in any way try to do so. Training. As the training of officers is essential to good scouting, it is intended to set up a Training Committee. It will consist of commissioners and a few experienced scouters. The chief difficulty will no doubt be the training of country troops. The matter will be dealt with at the next executive meeting. ■ Gilwell Camp. Arrangements are now being, made for the" Gilwell camp, > which will be held at French Farm from December 26th to January 4th. A circular sent to all group secretaries should be seen by Scouters who wish .to take this course. This will be a splendid opportunity to acquire a knowledge of ad vanced scouting. Scout and Guide Corner. A memorable occasion was celebrated on Sunday last at the Cathedral, when the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, patron of the Boy Scout movement in New Zealand, unveiled a "corner" for Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. Following the unveiling ceremony, the Very lie v. Dean Julius delivered an appropriate address, and referred to the "comer" as the first of its kind in a Cathedral in New Zealand. The constant care of the corner has been left in the hands of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides of Christchurch. Scouts to be responsible for the cleaning of the brasses, and the Rangers have been given the task of keeping the vases filled with fresh flowers.

Heathcote's BirtMay. The first birthday, of the lleatlicote Group was celebrated on Thursday evening, October 22nd, in St. Mary's Sunday Schoolroom. About 30 Scouts and Cubs were presAt, and the guests included Major J. W. Crampton, District Commissioner, and Mrs Crampton, Miss N. Flavell, Guide Captain of the Heathcote Guides, D.C.M. J. Powell, A.O.M. J. Partridge, B.S.L. Olds, and G.S.M. Dyer, Miss Brunsden, and Mr and Mrs Coopor, also a large number of parents and friends of the boys. The committees of both Heathcote and Woolston were well represented, and the Rev. IV A. Tooley was in the chair. The Scouts, under S.M. B. Buckett, and A.S.M. K. Cooper, were inspected by the • Commissioner, who complimented them on their turnout. The work of the Cubs was particularly interesting, and C.M. Salt came in for a great deal of praise in connexion with tlio progress made during the year* Service starS were presented -to the Scouts by Commissioner Crampton, and D.C.M. Powell presented prizes to Cubs, including 'Cliff Keed, who earned distinction as the beat all-round Cub. Several camp fire and other items were given, which were much appreciated, and later everybody partook of supper, including an elaborately-deco-rated birthday cake, which was cut by Cub Cliff Eeed, in honour of tho distinction conferred upon him during the evening. The cake was decorated with one candle and two kewpies, one dressed as a %sout and the other as a Cub, and these were later presented by the Commissioner to S.M. Buckett and C.M. Salt respectively. The following were entrusted with after-supper speeches, which) were appropriate to the ceremony:' Misses N. Flavell and B. Salt, Eev. F. A. Tooley, Major J. W. Crampton, Messrs W. Cooper, J. Morgan, R. Buckett, and P. Brooks. The 23rd birthday of the St. John's. Woolston Troon of Boy Scouts was celebrated on Thursday last.