SCOUT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 50, 27 August 1930, Page 17

SCOUT NOTES

(By "8.A.M.")

The second session of the Wellington North Training class was held in the KelI burn1 Club Room last Wednesday, when the following were present:—Commission;cr F. W. Vosseler; D.S.M.'a. D. Perry, 13. Heath, and H. Donkin; Seouters H. J. Newberry, N. L. Morris, S. Baillie, D. Patterson, N. Grant, F. Nicholas, P. Drummond, A. Christison, D.- Watson, R. T. Fletcher, F. ElvineS, L. Moss, R. A. Picton, C. Homer, F. Kear, D. Elvines, and Rev. H. Payne. History teaches the great truth that ultimato disaster sooner or later finishes up till movements that are not founded on firm moral principles. Means and methods, however cleverly devised, break down at last where aims are unworthy. So, we aflirin, that though the attributes aud practices of Scouting -may be many, they all converge towards the final aim of character building, and the great terminus through which they all pass is finally that which might be named "Scout Law and Promise." The law has in it, gathered together in small compass; the moral code of the whole world expressed in language easy for boys to understand. It holds a definite appeal for boys because all the factors it. contains are ernes with which they are concerned in everyday life. It is helpful, for example, to compare the statement-of the Scout Law with that of, say; the Ten Commandments,- and to note that the former docs not contain a single "thou shalt" or "thou shalt not." The simple "is" runs through it like a vein of shining gold. How k many Scoutere. have pointed this out to their boys and explained to them that the manner of statement of the law enshrines the whole Scouting outlook? Scouting is purely voluntary; no boy need become a Scout unless he so wishes. If he doea »o wish then the Scout Law,gives no orders and makes no prohibitions.-.lt merely cays what a pertoet Scout is. Does ho think he' would like to be a boy such as is described in the Law? Then let him try. The Chief Scout knows that only an angel could ever live fully up to it, and so he has protected, the boy's honour in the Promise by interpolating the words "to do my best." A Scout therefore is not a fellow who wears a uniform,' who can follow a track, or do the hundreds of jolly things Scouting suggests; he is a fellow who is "doing his best" to model his life and actions on the Scout Law, and he does all the other things, mainly because they help him in his quest. We believe, therefore, that the Law should bos very definitely the mainspring of all action, and to this end, conscious and constant practice in its use and exemplification is necessary. How can this bo managed in the ordinary troop? In offering a partial * answer to this,. let us suggest, fivst, that every Scouter who has not yet done so read the "Quest of the •Boy," by Dr. F. W. W. Griffin. This will' give him a new outlook on the Law, and, very possibly also, on the boy. The first essential in practice is that the Scout LaW should be kept before the boyß in the ordinary everyday doings of the troop. This can be managed in several ways. Let it be depicted before the boys' eyes in writing. The actual visual memory is a-help in the troop room, and is any Scout "the worse for giving the Law a prominent place on the walls of his bedroom? Then the Scouter should be the best exponent of "Living the Law," and not merely "preaching" it. Boys are keen followers and keener critics. They will absorb the Scouter's attitude to life unconsciously; it is a serious thought, that a boy's ideals may rise no higher than his Scoutmaster's practice, and he must watch his s,tep, because boys are prone to judge not on average values, but bn particular, instances. Since the keynote of the Law is trust, the whole outlook of the troop must be founded on it. It is oftener better to trust a boy and be "let down" than to give him any. idea that you doubt him. Dr. Griffin sums it up thus:—"More boys have been saved by feeling beneath themselves the solid rock of confidence on the'part of their adult leaders than ou any other fact." AH Scouting practice will, therefore, trust the boy.

The .Kilbirnie group were glad to welcome back to Wellington Scout F. Parkin, after his trip to England. To show this Scout's keenness, haying landed about 2 p.m. he was at the Scout parade at 7 p.m. the same night, in full uniform, arid one can just imagine him searching the house on his arrival to find everY article of apparel that goes to make the complete uniform^ after an absence of six months. A surprise party was arranged the following Tuesday to welcome him back to the group once again. It is pleasing to report that Mrs. Gaby is once again with the group to train some of the boys foi1 the ambulance badge. The fourth birthday of the Karori group was celebrated last Friday night, when the Metropolitan Commissioner, Sir Alfred Robin, Commissioners ¥. W. Vosseler, H. V. Foster, D.S.M. H. Donkin, Colonel Hall, Scoutmaster P. T. Smither, of the1 Terrace group, and a large attendance of parents, Scouts, and Cubs were present. Follo\ring an entertainment programme of items by the Scouts, and a short talk by the Metropolitan Commissioner, and the Commissioner for the district, supper followed by the cutting of the birthday cake by Mrs. Clarke, wife of the Group Scoutmaster, assisted by Senior Cub C. Eaine, and Troop Leader D. Halt. The cake was then distributed to all present, and a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close. The Rev. Mr. Wood presided over the gatliciing. •'

i The boys of the Seatouu group have been busy for some weeks, levelling the site of their new "Den," the erection of which has now commenced. The "Den," which will be a substantial building, 45 feet by 28 feet, and of attractive appearance, will b, situated in a commanding and central position in Ferry etreet. It is anticipated that it will be available for occupation in about a month.

On a recent Saturday the Masterton Group Officers went for a hike, and after a profitable and enjoyable afternoon and juicy refreshments, they dragged the trek carts which were piled high with Yuletide logs, out of the season, for the Den fires over the rough seldom trodden roads of the Waipoua River banks. On the last ty.o Saturdays large contingents of all sections of the Masterton group have worked very hard clearing the grounds- for the Aero Club. Now that this work has been done the boys are interested in the erection of the hangar and the arrival of the aeroplanes during the next two weeks'. The group is working hard preparing for the seventh birthday celebrations of the present St. Matthew's group, to be held during the coming week-end, and it is hoped that- it will be a success.,