SCOUT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 95, 23 April 1931, Page 22

SCOUT NOTES

(By -'8.A.M.")

Wan-ants from Dominion Headquarters ai-o to band, authorising the following learraugernent of duties for the Wellington Metropolitan Area, taking effect as from 31st March last. Sir Alfred Robin, K.C.M.G., C.8., lias been elected a member of the New Zealand Scout Council, and is now warranted as an honorary Metro-' polhan Commissioner for the Wellington Area. In this position he will continue to co-operate with the active Metropoli-1 tan Commissioner in visiting the districts and assisting generally in the Scout traming and ceremonies. Mr. H. Amos is appointed Metropolitan Commissioner for the Wellington Area. Previous experience in the past as a member ot the Dominion Council and District Commissioner nill ensure the general progress of the Scout movement, the number in the area being just on 3000 Hover Scouts, Scouts, and Wolf Cubs. This arrangement in no ■way disturbs the present organisation of the five districts, or the various groups in these districts, each district being selfcontained and working under the Imperial policy and organisation with the liSfew Zealand amendment to these rules. The five District Commissioners, Messrs. f W Vosseler and H. V. Foster (Wellington North), H. H. Miller and H. Hitehius (Wellington South), Captain Johansen and another ("Hill" Country—Kaiwarxa to Otaki), R. Nelson (Hutt Valley and Bays), and the Rev. E. M'Levie (South Wairarapa), will continue as in the past. '•■ The average attendance at the Wadestown Group is 20 boys each night. The celebration of the fifth birthday took place last Saturday evening, when the Key. Ashley Jones was presented with a chaplain's badge, and Scouts J. Pearson, I\. Griffiths, W. Cole, and R. Mitchell were presented with their tenderfoot badges. A large attendance of parents, a "mock troop of fathers, and a jolly camp lire scene all helped towards a splendid evening. Fifteen members of the group endeavoured to spend Easter under canvas at •ikatarawa, but owing to the liver flooding finished up in the Church Hall, but despite these happenings all enjoyed themselves. The Karori Group gave a demonstration of their work on Friday last m the Scout Hall at Campbell street, when fifty parents, supporters, and friends were present. Amongst them were the Hon. Metropolitan Commissioner, Sir Alfred 'Robin District Commissioner Foster and Sirs. Foster, D.S.M., K. L. Moss, and Sea Scoutmaster S. Baillie. and S/M. R. Fletcher. Six o£ the Cubs who were o± age were received into the Scout Troop by the Scoutmaster by means of the "Going Up" ceremony. L. Coy was invested into the Great Brotherhood of Scouts, and the Hon. Metropolitan Commissioner presented second-grade all-round cords to Ken. Wilson and Stan. Clarke, readers' badges to C. Cameron, C. Clarke, K. Wilson, and Ij Wilson, bookbinders' badges to P/L. Ken. Wilson and P/L. Len. Wilson. A ciimp fire scene was the centre ot the programme of the evening, sing-songs and stunts. The Cubs wore present and gave several dances and thoroughly enjoyed the games. Altogether fifty-three Scouts and Cubs attended. ' The Ist Central Group met in the r4ro Street School room on Wednesday last, when preparations were made for the winter programme of Scout work. Boys who do not belong to other groups and living in the vicinity of the west end ot the city and who wish to belong to this group should be present at the hall ton Wit at 7.15 o'clock. The Brooklyn Group were welcome visitors and five Scouts were duly received in the Great Brotherhood. St Michael's Cubs and Scouts were on the air at 2YA last week, with songs, recitations, and hakas. , ,„. . A combined meeting of the. St. Augustine's Cubs, Scouts, and Rover-Scouts was held at the hall on Tuesday, Hth Aprn, when a programme of ceremonies and jfjimes was given, beginning with the Cub Packs. They gave jungle dances, and sang several songs aronnd the council rock, after which four Cubs were invested and received the Tenderpad badge, the first step in Cubbing. Following that, D. Bourne, D. Smith, W. Weatherly, D. Sawyer, N. Banham, C. Prentice, V. Hyslop, P. Williams, L. Williams, F. Wass, C. Simmons, P. Noble, R. Steffenson, and N. Nankivell left the jungle where they had hunted with the Pack and entered Scouting, through the ' Going-up ceremony, being welcomed by the Group Scoutmaster, Mr. R. Nelson. The Scouts then took over, playing several gamts, much to the enjoyment of those present, after which Jack 3old was invested as a Scout and received his tenderfoot badge. The Cubs and Scouts then dispersed, leaving the field to the Rover-Scouts. Their part was the very impressive investiture of a Rover-Scout, --who, after serving tor a period as a "Squire," is deemed worthy to enter the Crew. This, ceremony, modelled on the initiation of the Knights of Old, was conducted by Rover-Leader E Zambra, the candidate being Reg. Squire, of the newly-formed Eastbourne Rover Patrol. Upon receiving hia badge, the new Rover-Scout was given three cheers by the Crew, after which RoverMate A. Bugg was presented with his second Rover Service Star. The Crew then broke off, and Commissioner .Nelson briefly addressed those present. Guests of the evening included the chairman ot iOie Petone Sea Scout Committee, Dr. J. 't. Harding, who was accompanied by ■\frs. Harding, and members of the Petone Sea Scout Committee, who, for the first time saw and realised what Rovering really means. Members of the Big Brother" Patrol were also present. I.he St. Augustine's Group Committee served an excellent supper, making a pleasant close to a most successful evening. Commissibner Nelson apologised for the absence of Mr. W. Nash, M.P., who had intended to be present, but was detained at Parliament. Mr. Nash, however, hoped to visit the Group* at a later date, and «11 are looking forward to his visit. The Thorndon Methodist Cub Pack held a Pound Night on Tuesday, 14th April, on which occasion they said Goodbye" to Sixer Douglas Nicholls and Cub Geoffrey Nicholls, who are leaving with their parents for a two-year tour abroad. ■During the evening three welcome visitors ■from the Rotary Club were Drs. Bowerbank and Gilles and Mr. Suisted. The former spoke to the Pack and told some most interesting stories, and the Pack returned the visit with jungle dances and games. Two books were presented on behalf of the Pack by Dr. Bowerbank to the two Cubs who were making their tour abroad. Competitions were won by Sixers L. Shaab, K. Craig, arid D. Nicholls. Members of the Rotary Club visited tha Hoseneath Group of Scouts on Tuesday, 14th April, when an enjoyable evening was spent at the camp fire. The secretary of the Red Cross Society -writes as follows to one of the Scouters:. '•"May I say that the Red Cross .Society in the work that it has been privileged ■ to do on behalf of the earthquake sufferers ias been supported in a fine standard of self-sacrificing service by members of the Boy Scout organisation. Their conduct under all circumstances has been exemplary. From the depth of our hearts we thank you, and wish you all unqualified success in your splendid work." Commissioner for Training Saudford, who has1 been present at the Scouters' (raining course at "Wirihana," Lowry Bay, for the past three week-ends, left by the fei-ry on Monday night for Canterbury to visit and demonstrate Scout work to groups at Little River, Akaron; Ashburton, Methven, Amberley, Sefton. Baleairn, Ashley, Rangiora, Oxford, and Kaiapoi, and will arrive back about 7th ■May to conduct a camp at Gordon road, toko, for the South Taranki Scout Groups during the school holiday period from Btli to 23rd May. " Quite an interesting and busy evening •was spent by the Terrace Group on Tuesday, 14th April. The following badges were presented by S/M. Cyril Homer: Cooks, P/L. Donald Urquhart; Cyclist and Cooks, Second David Rees-Jones, of the .Eagle Patrol. Second-class and first-aid work was carried out by the patrol leaders and Instructor Williams. Major Crompton, one of the district commissioners, Christchureh, spoke to the boys and inspected their work. The Rev. Frank de Lisle, S/M. of the Napier Congregational Troop, Commissioner for Training bandiord, G.S.M. P. T. Smither, and Mr. JenldnHon, of the Group Committee, were .also present. Around the camp fire the J!ev. F. de Lisle gave the boys a fine talk ■on being thorough and playing the game. The Commissioner for Training also spoke to (ho Scouts, and gave them many mter-a--tins things to think about in relation to their""Game of Scouting." After the re(■ilnf.ion ol' the Scout Law by Jack Lnnkshoar. and a prayer by the visiting Scout-

master, an interesting evening was brought to a close. The Sixth N.Z. Wood Badge course was continued at "Wirihana," Lowry Bay, last week-end. An interesting period was spent in bridge building by Pioneer-In-structor Browne. Botany and the flora of New Zealand were taken by Mr. Wilson, of the Forestry Department, the lecture being most instructive. A Scout s Dwh held on the Sunday afternoon, was impressive, and the talk taken by b/M. ■Udrieh of the St. Augustine s Troop will long be remembered. Sir Alfred and Miss Robin and Mr. and Mrs. Foster were interested guests during the afternoon. ST. GEORGE'S DAY. There are in existence many versions of I the story of St. George and the Dragon, differing according to the country of thenorigin. It was not only in Europe that these legends existed; the Persians, for instance, have for thousands ot years handed down a tale of the defeat of a dragon by a brave Persian Horseman. Inc Saint of the Knlendar, however, had nothing to do with actual dragons, although the courage and steadfastness he displayed were quite equal to that of the legendary St George. The Kalendar St. George was born in Cappadocia, in Asia Minor, during the third century. His parents were both Christians and his father died while he was still young. His mother then took the boy to the Vale of Sharon in Palestine, and it is to this Vale that we owe the Saint's emblem—the rose. Ihe young George eventually entered the Roman army, and rose to Praetorian rank, his rank giving him the privilege to own a charger. At this time Diocletian was Emperor of Rome and rapidly proved himselt to be the bitterest of the Emperor persecutors of the Christians, as he was the last. He issued stringent edicts ordering the persecution of all who professed the Christian faith. George, who was then stationed at Nicodemia, saw that he would have to choose very definitely between his allegiance to the Emperor and his allegiance to Christ. There was no hesitation on his part as to where his choice Jay, and he is said to have torn down the edicts that were posted in the city. He laid aside his uniform, distributed all his goods to the poor, and boldly confronted the Emperor. Diocletian valued George s services, and tried to persuade him to renounce Christ. Despite all the inducements that were offered, George stood by his faith. He suffered torture and, after enduring great pain, was beheaded on GoodFriday, 23rd April, 303, at the. age of 33, the same age and on the anniversary ot the death of his Master. The story ot his belief and of his death soon spread, ins name-was revered, and he became widely known as the "Great Martyr ' Such is the story of him whom we believe to De St. George, our Patron Saint, fet. George became the Patron Saint of Italy and ot Greece, and since he was a horseman, ot cavalry and military scouts. He is reputed to have been chosen as. the Patron Saint of the Knights oC the Round Table, while his flag was adopted by Richard 1 of England, the Knight Errant. St. George was adopted as the Patron Saint of Eugland by the Synod of Oxford in 1222, and as the Patron bamt ot the Order of the Garter by Edward 111. in 1330.' Down through the ages he lias appealed to many peoples as the latron Saint of Chivalry, so our Chief had nohesitation in adopting him as the latron Saint of. Scouts. To-day, St. George is the patron, not only of the Scouts an Great Britain, but also of Scouts in many other countries, so that St. Georges Day tomorrow is of much more than national significance to us. His story gives us an example of cheerfulness in tackling any difficulty, or danger, or temptation, it -rives us an example not only ot cneerimness—a Scout quality in which we rejoice —but also of high courage and. determination The various legends of which we hear need not deter us, nor harm the lessons which we cau draw. The dragon typifies difficulties, and- dangers, and temptations, which to some of us do loom up as veritable dragons that we are-tear-ful to meet. The story of the legendary knight illustrates St. George's spirit ot venture, liis courage in facing a difficult situation, his indomitable will in overcoming his temptations, his determination to sacrifice all his worldly possessions and his whole worldly position in_ the cause of his faith. For each of us life is beset witE dangers—seen and unseen—the latteE being infinitely more perilous. Io fight them down and win through requires the exercise of the greatest bravery and moral courage. When we meet the dragon of temptation we may weakly surrender and be devoured, we may run away to be caught inevitably in the end. St. Guorge s example gives us encouragement to stand up and fight against seeming odds, our Scout Promise gives us a sword with which to attack the dragon, our Scout Law gives us a shield with which to keep our bodies and our souls from harm. On St. George s Day many of us solemnly renew, our Scout Promise and re-dedicate ourselves to the Service of God and the King. From this we draw strength to strike out for the highest that we know, strength to persevere, strength, which, we hope, will enable us, like St. George, to win the vieNotes for insertion in this column should be sent to Mr. B. A. Mabin, Metropolitan secretary, P.O. Box 624, not later than the first mail on Monday mornings.