Scout Notes

Cromwell Argus, 30 March 1931, Page 6

Scout Notes

THE TRir TO SEE THE CHIEF SCOUT.

(Contributed). The dav dawned bright:, and cloudJess on March u.tii, the day which to all boys in the Scouting movement was to be mare memorable than all otheis. Most were up and about long before there was any need, for fear that they would miss the tram. At tue time of departure it was lonnd that tlie bovs from Pembroke and Ha" ca had not arrived. A telephone call was put through to l.owhurn and it ''as reported that they hail passed through some five minutes previously. According!v tho tram was detained as ■long as' possible to enable them to caj vh it. In a short time there appeared a cloud of dust ami a few seconds the char-a-banc pulled up _ "ith a (screeching of brakes. It did credit to the Scouts to see how quickly the luggage was transferred to the tram. There was a very heavy train and wi ll the two engines it was found to be slow work in the gorges. The Alexandra contingents of Guides and Scouts: were entrained making the 'total number of Scouts up to one hundred and ten. Proceeding down tho lino the boys saw many objects of interest. but it was not hill Dunedin was reached that the crowd assumed a more vigorous enthusiasm. The Otago Central boys were drawn up on the station at Dunedin and in proper Scout style staves were used to Ikeep liihe public back ■- > that the boys could all lie systematically detailed off for their hosts or friends. There were fortunately more places offering than there were boys to billot. It was announced that the boys were invited to visit the Hillside Workshops on \the Wednesday morning. Many boys availed themselves of the opportunity and there saw locomotive engines in the making and many in for repairs, besides the huge haulage and lifting plants in use for handling weighty cars, trucks, and engines. On the Tuesday evening there was an informal meeting at the area Headquarters of the Scouts Association for the purpose of meeting the Chief Scout. All Scouters were present and the Chairmen of the various Group Committees. The evening was a social one and all formalities were dispensed with. Items were given by two •Scouters. The Chief Scout spoke about the work among nhe boys and stressed the point that Scouting was for the inward development of the individual and as lar removed from militarism as lit could possibly be. There was still (plenty of room for more of the “big brother” attitude among Scouters tor Jthe comradeship so engendered nas for a lasting good to the boys. Later Jiu the evening. Wood badges were presented to Scouters McCallum, Mucgregor, and Cuthbert, while in token ot the long service rendered to the movement Mr P. C. Sargood was formally! invested as a Scout bv the Chief.

On the Wednesday morning a special Scooters’ meeting- was held for the Otago Central Scouters when the procedure of the afternoon was made known to them. Arrangements were also made for the Thursday after t,hc departure of the Chief Scout. It was also mentioned that the management of the Empire and the Regent picture theatres were agreeable to allow Scouts from the Otago Central troops in to one of the evening’s entertainments on either Wednesday or Thursday. This was a very popular concession to the scouts.

On Wednesday, at 1.30 p.m., all city scout's with tlie oiajfi) Central troops paraded at the Oval preparatory to marching to Carishrook. District Scoutmasters were in charge of this parade which proceeded by way ot Wilkie Road to Carishrook, where the other scouts from Southland and ..he Oatnaru districts had assembled. On arrival .at the grounds, which was after some, .considerable delay., the first massed performance was the Dominion Hyka “E Rahgatira la ... . led by D. S. M. Met ’allurn. Then /followed the march past each troop taking the .salute with fixing colours and a ringing cheer. The Ouides display was very spectacular, especially the Signalling squad from North Otago. These girls signalled in Morse code with the flag, a welcome to the titled visitors, and it was a great sight to see ah ( he flags movingup and down in penect unison for the entire message. The speed with which the message was flung into the air bore testimony 1 o thorough instruction. The .marching of the Southland guides was \ cry creditable, while the physical ci.iil would have been perfect had it not been for the irregular time given by the band. The Scout display P.-.ik the form of a party of scouts on trek. A party ol signallers preceo- -■! out' the ground and signalled back hat the site was suitable foi camping. Then followed trek carts and materials of all shapes and sizes. In a short time when the various troops had assembled at their appointed flags, the arena was a veritable hive of industry. In several more minutes all kinds of bridges were in the course of construction over the duniimy river made of scrim. The hest display without doubt was that of the ist Koslyu troop. Theirs was a massive signalling tower some 30 feet or more in height. The displays stageejj by the Central boys were as follows;—HaweaWanaka, ambulance; Cromwell, Strawhut and Indian games; Bannockburn, Sheerlegs; Alexandra, Suspension bridge. Of the local displays the last was perhaps the best. Troops were present from as far away as Winton, Ohai. Otautau, and Oamuru. The quality of work to be seen anywhere on •he ground spoke volumes for the Scouring movement in these parts <if the Dominion. The Chief Scout was more than pleased with the whole performance. til course mention mus. he made of the exceptional weather which made such a day possible. Even the Dnn .’lin people could scarcely understand vby the weather was behaving itself se well ! On the following day trips wore made to the Roslyn Mills, the engine-room of fno Rosmi cable ears. Thomson's Aerated Water factory, the Phoenix Co., Hudson and Son. the C ity hire Brigade, where a demonstration of the modern methods of fire lighting was given by (lie Superintendent ami his men, 4 V. A., and the “Star” newspaper office. On the Friday morning all assembled at v lie station to depart for Central Otago. Many boys exoressed n desire to remain another dov hut it was considered advisable not to alter arrangements or to perhaps strain the already wonderful hospiTality, The Commissioner desi> -s that all hoys write an account of w hat (hey saw in Dunedin. Scouts nurd, keep ,their eves open and so (his is one wav ol testing themselves on what Kiev actual’*.- saw I

We have t) he verv thankful to numbers of p' >nle. m-d instead of enumerating I we stall include them all under the term of “all those "'ho in anv wav whatever Indued to make our Irin to fV such an enjoyable success.”