SCOUT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 33, 9 February 1927, Page 15

SCOUT NOTES

(By ■Scouter.)

The first quarterly meeting for-the year 13 to be held tbiis mpnth, ivhen details in regard to Scout part during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York, finance proposals, and future increase of Scouts and troops for Wellington will be discussed. This occasion will also serve to welcome and.introduce the; new Sub-district Cbniinissioners, Messrs. Vogseler, Miller, and Jackson. Let all pull together with a will and make 1927 a record year for the .Wellington and Hutt Valley Scouts and Wolf Cubs.- _=:. .

At a largely attended meeting, held last Thursday night,..a new Scout troop was formed at Miramai-, with a fine-parents' committee to help things along. Mr. Marshall was elected chairman, and Mr. T. W. Dickson, who has had previous experience as Scoutmaster, and an assistant, are in view. Thirty-six boys are already enrolled, of whom thirty-one were present; thus both a Cub pack and troop are assured. Two car-loads of St. Judes's Scouts, under Scoutmaster Cargill, with flag flying and Scout songs, attended the meeting to help along their new brothers. Scoutmaster Roderique and Mr. Hitchon, Island•■Bay, also assisted in giving the Miramar. lads a start.

The District Comniiasioivir found a.good-. Iy number of Rovers commencing work for the year on' Saturday night at the "Den.": During this month each troop is expected to nominate one of the ex-Scoutei-s or patrol leaders to represent the troop as a Wellington Rover. Watch out, Scouts, and "be prepared" with smart, correct Scout dress and equipment, especially with ambulance and firstaid kit, for -the--big' muster, early next month. With' thousands around, assistance may be required. The following is from "the Auckland' "Boy Scout Chronicle":—"Arthur Meachen,. Cornwall Scout." In our last issue we published the Jieadquarter's . notice that the "Cornwall" Badge had been aw.ardei to Arthur Meachen, troop leader of the No. 1 V.M.C.A, Troop, .. Wellington. Everyone who knowV Arthur Meachen will be sincerely glad to learn .this and to recognise that the Dominion Chief Commissioner and the Executive -Council were ,fully justified in their action;in awarding this badge to him. . Every Scout knows, or should know 1, what this badge stands for. It' was instituted in 1916, in memory of Jack Cornwall, V.C., who, as "Boy (first-class) John Travers Cornwall" on H.M.S. Chester, took part, in the Battle of Jutland on the 31st'-'May, 1916. His'splendid-de-votion to duty, remaining quietly at , his post (though mortally wounded) till .the end of the action, was so marked' that Admiral Lord Jellicoe specially ' recommended liiin for recognition; and he was awarded the Victoria Cross, 'although'unfortunately he did not live to" wear it.' -In memory of this boy, then, the "Cornwall" Badge'for courage, fortitude,-and devotion to duty was instituted. It is, in a sense, the V.C. of the Boy Scouts. Those who attended the rally at Palmefston North some years ago may remember a small Scout who, although compelled to use crutches, was always smiling; and, if possible, in the thick of whatever was doing. He was no pathetic figure, :So' obviously happy and full of true Scout spirit was he that he was almost envied. To-day he is a young man of eighteen, but, unfortunately, still on .i crutches. A King's Scout, holding ambulance, pathfinder,, pub; 15c health, man-rescuer, and missioner badges, and many others, he'is probably, next to tKe Commissioner, the most popular figure '"amongst'"Wellington Scouts. It is, fortunately, the lot of a few Scouts to suffer the physical pain this 'Scout has suffered during many months spent in hospitals. Yet Arthur has not 'allowed his disability to keep him down. Always on parade, unless for some exceptional reason, he ha! been troop leader for years. He is also head prefect of Wellington Technical ' College.'- Yet Meachen is. no super-Scout. Any Scout may reach, and many have reached, equal respect and appreciation, although they may not have qualified for this decoration. Average ability, backed by enthusiasm and.a big heart, will carry any boy f;;r. Arthur's success proves that physical disability cannot keep a good man down", also ;that a scoutmaster who.accepts a recruit in spite of such disability may provide a young^ life with renewed hope, and a sphere of usefulness and pleasure, which may render' an otherwise drab life bright and'full of interest. ■' . .; ': ;'. '... '

Cambridge Troop, have now commenced their Friday night meetings, and the Scouts are looking well after the holidays and camp life. Several of the committee and parents paid a visit on New Year's Day and had an enjoyable time. All Scouts will be made welcome, at Cambridge Terrace Churchr on Sunday next at 7" p.m., when the "Four Sampan Chiefs" will he present, before leaving for Auckland- \to take part-in;'thef Royal visit.'" ) ~ ■"'■"■ -

Hints to Patrol Leaders and RoVersi— Your patrol:- A patrol consists of a:-num-ber of boys .who have taken the Scout Promise and look to you for further instruction and leadership in Scout matters.' In certain ways they are all like one another, and in certain; ways they are all different. It is the business' of a good leader to study these. similarities^and differences. One of the best ways tsf studying them ia to visit all the members of your patrol in their own homes. Don't forget at the same time that they are also studying you.. Sot only at'the Scout meet; ing, but also at t school and Sunday School] and wherever you may meet members o£ your ' patrol Jet them Bee that you' are their friend and that you are willing to' dp all that you cap to help-them. It is a good; .plan itohaVe pne.-.or two of them, to come ahd\speiid an "evening at your own;home, and i£'your mother and father, do not. mind; the racket ;you might once a year have the whole patrol. N. 8.: You become a. good.' patrol leader when- your boys know and trust you. You«and your patrol: How are you and your patrol to work together? Two things are necessary; —leadership .;and discipline. The. boys will, not follow you unless y'ouvlead, so we must have leadership.' I>am not going to talk about that- now 'ibecause it will be dealt with .later; But what is discipline? Discipline-in a patrol, is a willing obedi-: ence to authority. It is necessary because you cannot give* and they cannot receive,instruction without it. Also if one patrol is without discipline it will hinder the work of another patrol in the same room. How; then, is -discipline to be attained and maintained? In four ways—(l) By mutual respect and, understanding. If you are really doing your best to lead them; properly; they will, soon find out and respect you for it. '.(2). By interest'and attention. If you can interest the boys and hold their attention- you. will seldom be troubled by lack of discipline. (3) By combined patrol stunts in-which, every member- of your patrol has a job to tip and is- expected, -to do- it. .He will quickly discover that'lie has .to sink himself and hfa own- dislikes for. tlie good of the "■ p'aV rol. (4) As a very last resort by penalties, It.is always.-wise to consult, the Scoutmaster before doing this. '■ ' ' -■•"- Now: think this over "and next week I will talk to you about some ofthe methods which you cah;use to make your patrol a good and keen one.