SCOUT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 71, 25 March 1931, Page 17

SCOUT NOTES

(By "8.A.M.")

The Chief Scout, Lord Baden-Powell, in a letter to the Rovers, Scouts, and Cubs of New Zealand, dated 13th March, writes as follows: —

"I have seen you all collected at big rallies at Auckland, Wellington, Chtistchurch, and Dunedin, and before leaving JS'ew Zealand I want to say how vory pleased I have been by what I have seen and by what I have heard of you. Generally speaking you looked jolly smart in your uniform (though I noticed some troops had not as yet fitted themselves out with slaves). What about this in New Zealand, wJicre you are particularly lucky in having plenty of bush country where you can cut first-class sticks? "On parade, of course, you showed good discipline and obedience to your patrol .leaders and Scquters, but I judge Scouts :iot only by their discipline on parade, but especially. off parade, in going about the ' streets, or travelling by train. It is then that true Scouts keep up their smartness and good behaviour and don't slouch about or make themselves a noisy nuisance like ordinary boys. I have been specially pleased to learn from outsiders that you Scouts are particularly well-behaved in this way. "1 was very pleased with many of the displays you gave, and with your first-aid, your camp gadgets, and especially your bridge building and pioneer work. It all showed that you are making yourselves 'good in Seoutcraft and camper-craft. '•'Above all I was glad, and you must all be proud, to hear the good reports of the behaviour of the Scouts in the Hawkes Bay district, in the disastrous earthquake there, when, in spite of the terrors of the time the Scouts kept their heads and their courage, and did what I expect all Scouts to do—they thought of others lirst, and set to work at once, without special orders, each to do his best to help in rescue, first-aid, and every kind of useful work. "We have to lament the loss of three brother Scouts in the disaster, but our sorrow for them is tempered by our pride in the good work of the others who survived and who so well upheld the good name of our brotherhood. This sudden disaster was a reminder to all of us of how important it is to 'Be Prepared' for any kind of accident at a most unexpected moment. So keep up your knowledge of first-aid and remember in a sudden and dangerous crisis to smile and carry on even in the face of danger and death.

".Another thing I want you to 'be prepared' for. You live in what I think is the finest country in the world (aDd - I ought to know as I have visited most of the countries), and I look on you Now Zealanders as one of the finest peoples in the world, for this reason, because you are 'gentlemen,' that is'you are brave and truthful, you are courteous and clean, your houses and gardens are smart, yoiir back yards and your streets are tidy, you take a pride in the appearance of your homes and of your towns, and so you go on to take a pride- in your country.

"New Zealand is in low water, at present owing to bad trade all ' over the world. You Scouts will soon be grown up, and it will be your business to brins back the prosperity of your country again.

This may sound rather a large order for young people to undertake, but if you really work at your work, whatever your job may be, you will be doing a service for your country and will help towards bringing it to success. "So I want you to take this for your motto, and to act up to it: 'My country is a fine one, and I will do my best to make it a finer one yet.' Don't forget it Scouts!

"Best of luck to you all, and good camping." The January issue of the' "Scouter," the headquarters' gazette of the Boy Scouts Association, just to hand, contains most valuable information for those engaged in the work of directing the boyhood of the world to become better citizens. The Outlook and Quests by the Chief Scout are particularly interesting. "The Group Scoutmaster in the Group System"'contains food for thought |by those who have a bigger vision of Scouting. ."Scouting Overseas" gives a look beyond the horizon of our own shores at what is being accomplished in other lands, and an invitation is extended to oversea branches to send articles which should be of general and not local information and interest. "Rovers and Rangers" are dealt with"' by the Headquarters Commissioner for Rover Scouts, and the "World-wide Brotherhood" by the International Commissioner writes an interesting article under this heading. Cubs and Rover Scouting articles should be.read by every Scouter.

PRAISE FOR SEA SCOUTS.

The President of the Women's Committee of the earthquake relief efforts expresses the warmest thanks for the excellent service rendered throughout the_ whole of the committee's period of activity by the Sea Scouts. The service was so splendidly organised that there was never any difficulty in obtaining aid of any sort whenever it was required, and everything worked so smoothly that the committee fears for the young helpers and their officers that what they did has not been fully recognised. The committee assures them that its debt of gratitude is very great indeed, and that its appreciation is correspondingly heartfelt and keen. All Scouters, in the Wellington Metropolitan Area are extended an invitation_ to be present at a Scouters' social evening to be held in the Ist, Lower Hutt "Den" on Saturday next.at.7.3o p.m., and it is hoped that this gathering will be the fore- | runner of many similar functions. During the evening there will be a time-limited discussion on the fundamentals of Scouting, and the remainder of the evening will be devoted to social activities. Those attending are asked to bring a plate of eats or give a similar contribution in kind. Last Saturday afternoon saw a good muster of Scouts from the Roseneath, St. Michaels, West End, and Karori Troops doing their fire-lighting tests as well as cooking tests. A visit to the Karori Group by District Commissioner H. V. i Foster and D.S.M. L. Moss last Friday evening saw a full programme of Scout work being carried out. The Commission; er spoke at the fire and presented two badges. An investiture ceremony took place at the Ist Wellington Rovers last Saturday night, when Rover Squire J. Badland was duly invested. In Rover Questing, the "Quest of Honour" was taken by Rover Uncle F. W. Vosseler, and a general dis-' cussion followed on the Ist Scout Law. Interested visitors present were Messrs. H. Amos, Eric Lawson, and Beckett (from ;

Levin), and Padre Harry Johnson. During the evening a meeting of the Rover Rambler's Service Club, which encourages I'overs to wive small amounts of money systematically, was held. Contributions invested at'present amount to sonic £86; they are to be devoted to a specific purpose. The question of a proposed trip to Australia by members in December to coincide with the opening of the Sydney Harbour bridge is being considered.

Tit-bits from the annual meeting of the Boy Scouts' Association Imperial Headquarters, London, show that the past year has been a remarkable one —and is notable for the increase' in the number of Rover Scouts (young men of 17 and over), the total for Great Britain and Ireland being 31,111. Another feature has ' been the number of Cbming-of-age celebrations held by Boy Scout Troops, and these have brought together a considerable number of old members and in many cases the desire to form Old Scouts' Associations. Trinidad has received the gift of a permanent Training Centre as the result of the Chief' Scout's visit. There has been an increase of 25^000 Boy Scouts in British India during the past year; in the Punjab more Scouts have attended camp, and more Scoutmasters have gone through training courses than in any previous year. In Fiji there are now European, Fijian, Indian, Chinese, and Rotuman Groups.of Boy Scouts. Gilwell Park, the Boy Scout training .centre in Epping Forest, beats all records during the year with 174 Scout and 221 Cub candidates for training as' Scout Workers. All but 60 came from Great Britain and Ireland. During the. past five 'years 224 Scoutmasters from 29 foreign' • nations, and 326 from overseas Dominions and . Colonies have offered themselves for practical training by the Gilwell Park staff.' A religious panel, composed"of representatives of different denominations, is being formed to assist in effecting closer contact with churches and religious bodies, the general I object being to create a spirit of partnership between the clergy and Scout workers on which the fulfilment of the first Scout promise (duty to God) must depend.