SCOUT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 38, 13 August 1930, Page 18

SCOUT NOTES

(By "8.A.M.")

The May-June issues of the "Seouter," just to hand, contain most useful information for Scouters to pass on to their groups, such as patrol names, camping in the rain, Rover changes and senior Scouts, building your own den, mapping competitions, model making, etc. The May illustration shows Sea Scoute manning a sailing boat, and on page 208 extracts from an article should be read by Sea Scouts. The question is asked, "What is a Sea Scout?" Well, he is "first and foremost a ISoy Scout." This must never be forgotten. Tio\v can Sea Scouts enter whole-heartedly into Sea Scout activities with other groups, and so foster the spirit of brotherhood if they are deprived ol' ono or more of their many links? To be honest, how much of a Sea Scout's time and training is actually spent in a boat dining the twelve months of the year? The annual meeting of the Dominion Council for New Zealand will be held in Wellington during next November. The Metropolitan Commissioner desires districts t' have their annual reports ready quite early in October for the year ending 30th September The- Metropolitan Commissioner, accompanied by the District Scoutmaster for Sea Scouts, last week inspected the Petone, Britannia, and Collingwood Sea Companies. On Thursday the Port Nicholson and Eastbourne Companies will be favoured with a visit. Scouts will be glad to know that their Sea Commissioner, Commander Young, is recovering from his indisposition.

The St. James Troop (Newtown), Petone Sea Scouts, Lower Hutt No. 3 Troop, and Methodist Troop all hold birthday reunions this month.

The Scouters' monthly refresher instructional courses, based on the Gilwell training, .Which is held by each district, should bo better patronised. The names of those attending this month' will be published for general information. The June issue of the "Scotiter" gives .i touching use of the Scout sign "Gone Home," a small circle within a larger circle," in recording the passing away of D.C.C. George Dymoeke Green, the editor of the "Seouter."

The Wellington North District Guides are giving a party in the Cambridge Terrace Hall on: Thursday, 14th August, in aid of their Auckland training centre. All Wellington North Scouters are invited to attend at 7.45 p.m. Admission Is. At the Kelburn Club Room, near the Observatory, on Wednesday, 20th August, at 7.15 p.m. the second session of the training course will be held. All Scouters in the Wellington North district should keep this date in mind. On this date a special course will, commence for the campers' badge. It is essential that all Scouters wishing to camp this year should obtain this badge as early as possible if they desire to conduct a camp. Wood badges, scarves, tusk's heads, and woggles are now to hand for Scouters D. A. Perry, R. Aldrich, F. L. Mackenzie, P. R. Drummond, E. H. Heath, and Lady Cubmaster S. Hoggard, and will be presented at a special function. Now that the football season is nearing its close, opportunity should be taken without delay of ascertaining the winners of the junior and' senior Soccer competition in each district iv order that the finals o£ the metropolitan district may take place at an early date. Eutries should be forwarded to the hon. secretary of each district committee. In less than four weeks the finals must be found, -in order to make use of the football grounds which close down for the winter sports.

Districts are again reminded that the permanent trophies for swimming, signalling, ambulance, physical drill, and marching are to be competed for under the respective districts. Arrangements for the winning teams to meet centrally and compete for the area trophies will be made on ascertaining the finalists in each district. Dominion headquarters write to say that the Chief Commissioner has handed to D.R.S.L. Meachen, with their best wishes, ;i large copy of the latest portrait of the Chief Scout, to be placed in their "den" as a constant reminder of the Great Chief and an inspiration to them in their work. July was a busy month for Cub li£e in Masterton,' but now the Great Red Indian dance in aid of installing radio throughout the Public Hospital is over. It was a tremendous success from every point of view. Crowds thronged the Municipal Hall on the afternoon and evening of the great day, and close on £100 was raised for this good cause, quite good th se hard times. Crowds of dusky little squaws and, big Indian braves played games, went through old Indian t ceremonies of testing the braves, and enjoyed their evening meal squatting round in tribes. After this was over the party journeyed to the Public Hospital, where they paraded through the wards and sang a few bright songs and generally cheered the patients. Not long ago one of the Cubs presented the No. 2 Pack with a totem pole, and now they have received the gift of a pack flag, it only remains 'for some kind friend in Wellington to present them with a Jack. It would be more appreciated coming from a distance, and would show a great spirit. The death of Mrs. M'Governe will mean a decided loss to Scouting in Mauriceville. Since Scouts were started there Mrs. M'Govcrne has taken part in all functions in connection with the troop, and her presence and interest will be greatly missed.

Everyone is getting excited preparing for the great week-end at the end of August, the seventh birthday of the Masterton Troop. A reunion of all ex-Scouts of Masterton Scouts is to be held, and anyone reading these notes who knows of Scouters coming under this heading would bo-doing a "good turn" if they advised the troop secretary, M,r. J. C. Robinson, 04, Church street. Masterton. .