SCOUT NOTES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 263, 2 August 1929, Page 18

SCOUT NOTES

(By

B. A. M.).

The official programme of the greatest gathering of Scouts from the different nations of the world at Arrowe Park. Birkenhead, England, for this week, will be as follows: —Wednesday, 2.30 p.m.: Formal opening by H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught and Strathern, K.G., president of the Boy Scouts' Association, on the rally ground. Thursday, 3.30 p.m.: Pageant of the nations and national displays. Friday, 3.30 p.m.: H.R.H. the Prince of Wales attends pageant of nations and afternoon rally. Saturday, 2.30 p.m.: H.R.H. Prince George arrives at Sea Scout display; 2.30 p.m.- Massed Wolf Cub display on rally ground. Chief Scout takes the Grand Howl. Sunday, 11 a.m.:. Massed thanksgiving service on rally ground. Archbishop of Canterbury and Chief Scout will speak. 11 a.m.: High Mass of thanksgiving for Roman Catholics. Cardinal Bourne, Archbishop of Westminster, delivers discourse. The following week's programme is full of Interest for the 50,000 Scouts that will be present. To coincide with this greatest event in the history of Scouting throughout the world, there will be held in the KUblrnie Stadium, commencing at 2.30 p.m., a rally of all Seouts and Girl Guides in the Wellington district, and the event is being eagerly looked forward to by everyone. At a combined meeting of all the sub-com-mittees held on Saturday evening, arrange meats were concluded for the gathering, and everything points to a most successful event —the only thing that is now required is for the weather to be kind. Tile programme is a most comprehensive one, the Cub displays of the Anglican Home, Masterton, Petone, Lower Hutt, St. Peters, and Trinity Packs w.il show various aspects of Cub life and work. Semaphore signalling and physical exercises form the second star; jungle dances, illustrating characters in Kipling's “Jungle Book”— (he inspiration of tlie Cub ceremonial; and the investiture—admitting a new Wolf Cub to run with the pack. The Girl Guide section of tlie display will be figure marching by the Hutt Valley companies, country dancing by the South Wellington companies. and display of work tor secondclass badges, and a parade of Guides, □howing tlie various proficiency badges that may be won after passing secondclass test. The Sea Seouts will give an exhibition of boat building, hoisting of tlie oreeches buoy, and land boat racing. The displays to be given by the various districts of Scout Troops will be as follow:— Hutt Valley and Bays and South Wairarapa: Bridge-building, figure marching, ambulance and signalling, firelighting, and boxing: demonstration of a chapter of accidents, training items, nnd the human compass. Wellington North: Model camp display, pyramids and signalling, ambulance, scout laws, physical drill display, fire drill display. Wellington South: Slow motion cricket match, life-saving display witli reel, Red Indian scouting scene, march of the League of Nations, scouting exercises, how to grow strong. First Wellington Rovers will give a display of a model camp with gadgets, and erect a flag pole flOft. high. The Scots College Pipe Band will be in attendance, and bauds from the Lower Hutt and St. Augustine Troops will play. For some years past Wellington cubmasters have had the opportunity to attend an Akela Camp for training in cub work, at the Labour Day week-end. I understand that there is every possibility of the camp being again held this year, and my advice Is to all cubmasters who have not yet taken the camp training course not to miss the chance, as tlie camp Is tlie best opportunity of gaining a real inspiration in their work of cubbing. All who wish to attend should inform either their D.C.M. or the secretary of tlie district Immediately. Last Friday night was the occasion of the twentieth annual meeting of the Kelliurn Troop. In spite of the Inclement weather fifty-four parents and friends were present, including the Commissioner for file district. Mr. F. W. Voss'elcr, and the D.S.M., Mr. IL Donkin. Proceedings opened

with a short speech by Mr. Martin, the chairman of the committee, who stressed the possibilities of scouting in forming character. The scoutmaster, Mr. Fletcher, read the annual report and financial statement, which showed splendid progress. Some of the outstanding features of the report were the sound position of the finances, a garden fete held during the year realising a net profit of £4l. The Hampton Memorial Cup for patrol efficiency had been the means of stimulating the work of the various patrols. Proficiency badges gained during tlie year were sixteen, while two King’s Scouts, two allround cords, four first-class and nine sec-ond-class badges had been won. The Wolf Cub Pack was steadily increasing under Cubmaster G. Glover. The thanks of the troop were due to the former scoutmaster, Mr. McNeil, who had had to resign owing to ill-health, and to the committee, parents and friends for the .whole-hearted interest in the welfare of the troop. Both Commissioner Vosscler and D.S.M. Donkin spoke a few words to the meeting, and the latter presented the badges won. The scoutmaster expressed the pleasure and encouragement it gave the officers of the troop to see such a large gathering. The chief event of the evening was the investiture under the ceremony of 1.P.1.5.E., of A.S.M. MacKenzie by the Commissioner. This was carried out with due solemnity and greatly impressed those present. ■ A splendid supper, having as its main feature, a large birthday cake with twenty candles brought the evening to a successful close. An apology for absence was received from the Chief Commissioner. Sir Alfred Robin, who sent a letter of congratulations to the troop on Its long career. Last Friday night the Cambridge Troop was hard at work practising for the item next Saturday afternoon’ at the rally. The following scouts have passed for badges:— J. MacDonald, handyman, metal worker, and cyclist: P/L. Bulls, friend to animals, metal worker, electrician, entertainer, and nathfinder; C. Perham, artist, entertainer. Three all-round cords will be presented at the meeting. Between 110 and 120 Scouts from South Wairarapa will be journeying to Wellington on Saturday morning by the Wairarapa express to take part in the rally, and will march from Lambton station to St. Peter's Hall, where they will be the guests of the St. Peter’s Troop to lunch. Following are notes from the official diary of the New Zealand jamboree party to England:—On Saturday, June 15. the sun rose early, and the promise of a line day gradually developed into a calm and sunny one about I) a.m., when eager eyes, helped bv the aid of glasses scanned the horizon ahead, and soon Pitcairn Island came into view. All work was suspended for the day. and the mail closed at 11 a.m., the last man finding It difficult to get his letters in the large box. By the time lunch, which was put forward was over, we were at rest about a mile from the shore, and two boats made fast very ouickly. The islanders knew of our coming, lis there is now n wireless set on the island. Being Seventh Day Adventists Saturday is the Islanders’ Sunday, and’ nothing could be bought However, they distributed quite a lot of oranges, bananas, and pawns, together with neck laces and fans of their own manufacture Their scruples were overcome by gifts of monev for their Church, and some was placed by them tn the shin’s box In aid of Sailors’ Widows and Orphans. Promptly nt 2 p.m. the siren sounded, and the tremble of the ship soon told us that we were again under way heading for Pa naina On Sunday many members of the Ngnpuhf tribe fell in for Divine service taken bv Captain Hartman. Scout Etheridge was organist. During the afternoon a Scouts' Own was held. The captain and Mr. Doper, officer in charge of the naval ratings, attended by invitation The service was carried out by the Scouts Commissioner Cooksey addressing the meeting on the moaning and the value of the flags to be dedicated. Divine service bv our Padre at 7-30 p.m. concluded Sunday On Monday, June 17. children s sports’ were held, the Jack Tars being much in evidence In running them, and the event proved a happy one for the youngsters.—(To be continued.)