SCOUT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 32, 6 August 1930, Page 16

SCOUT NOTES

(By "8.A.M.")

The Metropolitan Commissioner (Sir Alfred Robin) will visit the various Sea Scout companies on the following nights: —Thursday, 7th August, Petoue Sea Scouts; Friday, Bth August, Brittaunia (Evans Bay); Tuesday, 12th August, Collingwood Sea Scouts; Thursday, 14th August, Port Nicholson; Monday, ISth August, Eastbourne Company. It is hoped that members of the Sea Scout executive will be present at the above meetiugs. At a special meeting of the Dominion Executive aud the Metropolitan Commissioners, held at Christchurch, the proposed itineraries of the New Zealand tour of the Chief Scout were drawn up and forwarded to Imperial headquarters for the Chief's approval. When the reply comes to hand the definite itinerary will be available for publication. No other itinerary is official. ■■■.'....■ The St. Augustine's Petone Group reports that the Rover-Scout crew has been most fortunate in securing a three-roomed hut at the Wainui Waterworks, at a nominal sum per annum, and already, several hikes have been held there. On 19th July a "working hike" was arranged. Wood was collected, and the hut generally made ready for occupation. The following Saturday the crew hiked over by patrols, on a midnight hike, twelve Rovers leaving Petone about 9.15 o'clock at night. On arrival at the hut supper was prepared, and an hilarious sing song was held around a blazing fire. After this all got ready for bed, and R.S.L. Zambra conducted the "vigil," which was most impressive. The "vigil" was held in a fire-lit room, with blanketed forms, and outside the whine of the wind and patter of the rain and hail will not easily be forgotten. Before rising next morning the R.S.L. told another yarn, and before breakfast a short "Rovers' own" service was held, each Rover mate performing some small part. The flag was then broken out and the day properly begun. After breakfast the ascent of the hill was made, descending by way of the stream. After dinner D.C.M: Middleton and R.S.L. Drummond visited tha hut, and air returned home at 3.15 p.m. Recently Esquire Stuart. Mitchinson was invested as a Rover Scout and Rover Mates A. Bugg and A. Reid received their hat badges, and Second Erie Orr his stripe. Saturday, 19th July, Commissioner Nelson Rnd twelve Scouts were shown over the Rangitane and entertained to afternoon tea in the first saloon. At the Scout Hall on the same afternoon Rover Scouts, Scouters, and Scouts mixed concrete and stacked, bricks in readiness for Mr. Cook, who is building the chimney for the Scout Hall. It will fulfil a great want. It is great to have such splendid men to help the group. On the following' Saturday S.M. R. Aldrich and Commissioner Nelson, with some of the Scouts, climbed the highest point in the Wainui Hills, examining the native bush en route, for the benefit of the boys taking the naturalist badge. The group was pleased to. welcome D.S.M. the Rev. Mr. M'Levie, of-'the "Wah-arapa, and to reciprocate Masterton's good wishes. Cubs recently invested were Jack O'Brien, B. Arrowsmith, T. Roy, F. Webley, and B. Wetherley. The "Akela" leader was most pleased with the attendance of the Cubs at the last church parade. The West End Troop in Aro street was definitely established on 31st July, when parents and friends held a meeting, and formed a troop committee, which comprises the following:—Chairman, Mr. Ward; hou. secretary, Miss Hurcomb; hon. treasurer, Miss Gebbie; committee, Messrs. Stimson and Scott and Mrs. Mexted and Miss Stinson; Scoutmaster, Mr. J. Middleton; A.S.M.'s, Messrs. Waddle arid Robinson; A.C.M., Mr. M'Leod. The uniform is to be dark blue in lieu of khaki, with light blue scarf with a kiwi on the apex. Special thanks are due to Mr. and Mrs. Stimson for facilities provided the use of the boys to meet in. The Metropolitan Commissioner visited the troop last Thursday and gave the Scouts a most interesting talk on the Scout law and promise. The following boys passed their tenderfoot test and are entitled to wear the Scout uniform and badge:—Patrol Leaders M.... Ward, I. Bitossi, and J. Scott, Seconds A. Stimson and A. Anderson and Scout W. Stinson. CubD. Benge passed his tenderpad. " The fourth birthday of the St. Peter's Group was held on Friday last. Sixty Scouts and Cubs sat down to "high tea" at 5.30 p.m., and Cub Sixer Joiner lit the candles on the three tier birthday cake kindly made by Mrs. Gillies, hon. treasurer of the Group Committee. Among tKe many parents and fiiends present were the Metropolitan Commissioner (Sir Alfred Kobin) and Miss Robin, Commissioner Foster, of the Wellington North district, the Rev. H. Harris, and Mr. T. C. Rayner (chairman and hon. secretary of the Group Committee). During the evening items and displays were given by the Scouts and Cubs, and Commissioner Foster invested four new Cubs and presented Cub' proficiency badges to others. Scout proficiency badges were presented by the Metropolitan Commissioner ate well as service stars., The first two gold cords to be won in the troop were presented to Troop Leader Wilkinson and P.L. Green. Scout D. Howe received his second grade cord, and also Patrol Leader Dodd. A first grade cord was presented to Patrol Second Nicholl. A.S.M. N. Grant received his warrant by "Ipise," and Mr. T. C. Rayner (group secretary) presented ' the v ßev. Mr. Harris, who is leaving shortly, for Taihape, with a gold swastika thanks badge, in recognition of his loyal services during the past two years and a half. The Metropolitan Commissioner very kindly told those present the history and meaning of the badge. A new departure is the formation of a patrol, to meet on Friday evenings, for the convenience of. the college boys. The first meeting takes place next Friday, and new faces would be welcome. >. Twenty-four Scouts were on parade at the Karon Troop last Friday. A rearrangement of the various patrols took place in order , that the various patrols may be made more even. The time taken up with instruction was made good use of by- the new patrol leaders talking matters over with their new members. Two patrols entertained the troop at the conclusion of .the games, in order to bring out any: latent talent in anticipation of the troop birthday which will be held shortly^ ■ . - -.. The old-established Kelburn Group held their annual meeting last Friday when there was. a large attendance of parents and friends. Occasion was taken during the evening to present to Mr. T. Martin a gold swastika in recognition of fifteen years' service to the group as chairman of the committee. G.S.M. R. Fletcher made the presentation on behalf of the Scouts in the troop. The Patrol Cup was handed to the Tuis during the evening. The business of the evening was taken up with the. presentation of the Scoutmaster's report, the' election' of the Group Committee, and matters in connection with the twenty-first birthday celebrations, which will be held this year.. Altogether the meeting waa a splendid one and augurs well for the future of the troop. A June issue of "The Weekly Bulletin" of the /Boy Scouts' Association has the following: "In bestowing a Knighthood on Mr. P. W. Everett, Home Commissioner of the Boy Scouts' Association, H.M. the King has not only recognised" nearly 23 years' devoted service in the Boy Scouts' Association and very many years in the Girl Guides' Association, but he has once again shown hia appreciation of the work of the two movements. Coming so soon after the barony bestowed on the Chief Scout (Lord Baden-Powell), the honour conferred on Mr. P. W. Everett has been deeply appreciated by the whole Scout and Guide world. The new Knight was present at the Chief Scout's experimental Scout camp at Brownsea Island in 1907. Since then he has hold many offices in the Scout movement. Ho baa been County Commissioner for TJertfordfhire Boy Scouts since the inception of the movement. In addition to this, and his holdinp the recently founded offire of Home Commissioner, Mr. Everett is chairman of the General Purposes Committee, Commissioner for Equipment, and a Chief Scout's Commissioner of the Boy Scouts' Association. He is also treasurer of the Girl Guides' Association, of which Mi's. Everett is honorary county seeic | taiy for Hertfordshire.