SCOUT NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 62, 15 March 1933, Page 16

SCOUT NOTES.

(By "Seouter.")

Will S.M.'s,' A.S.M.'s, C.M.'s, and IA.C.M.'s please let the metropolitan secretary know their wishes as to what day of the week best suits them for a conference.

On Thursday evening, March 9, Rovers of the Hutt- Valley and Bays gathered at . the Scout Hall- of the Ist Lower Hutt • Scout Group. The happy family consisted of 30 Rovers, the D.R.S.L., the D.S.M., and: Hon. Rover, the Rev. Mr. Gerrard. The' evening opened with an inspection by the D.R.S.L. who then spoke on the subject of example of-uniform. 'After many keenly contested inter-patrol games, the Rovers listened-to a fine address by Mr. Gerrard, who spoke on "What Kind of aj Rover ana I?" This was followed by an interesting • discussion .. on "How Should Rovers Utilise Sunday." Supper was served. District. Rover Scout Leader E. Zambra thanked: all for their" attendance. He said that the evening was the start of Rover Moots in the district. He hoped to'hold a district Rover Court of Honour nest mouth with the object of organising the next Rover Moot. The District Scoutmaster (Sir. McKenzie) spoke to the effect that all Rovers were welcome to the Ist Lower Hutt Scout Hall at all times. He trusted that many such Rover functions would be held in the district. The evening closed .with the Rover prayer and the singing^ of "God. Save the King." Entries for the Maori language class will close with the Metropolitan Secretary on Saturday,. March 25. The services of Mr. R. M. Stoweil (Haere Hongi) have been secured as lecturer, and officers can be quite-sure that the lectures will be •useful to them. There are no.books to buy; only an exercise book and lead pencil are needed. .■"Sitting between the honeysuckle and the briar rose, my pipe smoke mingling with their fragrance, I surveyed the pageant of the lane. Truth to tell I felt a little out of place among these colourful I hikers. My days of super-efficient -kit have long since passed, and back I have come to my first love, grey flannel bags, | tweed coat, and ash plant, but never in my wildest youth did I attempt to vie with Mother Nature in her colouring, rather that 1113' drabness should throw out her beauty than drown it in a whirl of' orange, green, or red. such as the short?, I Beans, and shwts that dazzled my bewild- ; ered eyes. Shame or dazzle, whichever 1 you will, caused me to observe the feet I °l *hem ■"•ho passed by, and then I knew teat diese were no experienced walkers, tor they had no .knowledge of the importance of the armour of the feet. Here were two girls tapping their way perched perilously oh high heels—why not stilts and have done with it. Here were othersmany ot them—weighted in ironclads, great I spikes tnat lifted their soles from the ground, a pretty compliment to the Surrey Hills no doubt, but foolish the lover to suffer so needlessly. That Jad in rubbers—no need to tell him he is v,-ron~ He limps already. His companion is wiser;'old shoes are best, but they should I be mended. But what is this—that easy j stride that-ends the perfect day—it can'"t be-^-but it. is—l .throw down my hat as a tribute to. his..courage.. For years my heart had hankered after sandals,' but ever ray courage failed me.. Here was a man who had obeyed the logical reasoning of his brain and wore for his journeying the only footgear that banishes for ever the trials of hot feet, blisters, and bruised toe nails; the foot-covering that enabled the tramping legion of Rome to found an Empire; the Israelites to accomplish their lengthy expeditions. The terrific journeys of such men as St. Francis of Assisi into the Holy Land, St. Thdmas Aquinas, and Albert the Great across Europe to the .Netherlands. :.Travels that make us rub our.eyes and .our. feet ache with the thought, of it—but. their feet did not ache tot they wore. sandals. Now, any sandals will not do. Care must be taken about the toe and the.sole must bend with the foot—in. fact good sandals are the work of craftsmen. Would lat my age break down the timidity of years and take to sandals?. The briar rose chuckled, and the honeysuckle shook with mirth." The Metropolitan Secretary will be glad to receive applications for a sketching class on or before Saturday, .March 25. A comprehensive programme has been I drawn up and all officers will gain valuable help m this class of work. There is no charge for the class, officers providing only the materials they use. .■ Here is an idea for a novel show for your next entertainment or parents' social, it will .show people what you can do in .the way of cooking and organisation. Get the largest hall-you. can and'deck it out as a first-class restaurant, with small ; tables round the sides, leavingl platform and centre of hall. clear.. Table linen, crockery, and cutlery you can borrow from home. . What, mother objects? As a Scout you should be tactful. A tactful man can get the moon if he asks politely; the next thing to tact is blarney! Now summon the cooks of the troop and let them prepare an attractive and varied menu—no roasts or stews! But dishes that will make mother green with jealousy and father doubtful. Cater for everybody sandwich snacks; light meals, and a fourcourse table d'hote. Enlist the Rovers as waiters and clothe them in the traditional garb of "Alphonse" likewise the Seouter, who for the night will be Alaitre d'hote! Open up early on Saturday evening and Jet the actors of the troop produce a first.rate cabaret show—song, dance,.and plenty ot humour. The programme should not be more than 'an-.hour, but continuous, ■bo that people may-come and go as they Pil eai e' 1 , • 9 p-m- %°«- the centre o"f the hall open to dancing and supply caps streamers, and other novelties. Success depends on good organisation and * O od .cooking. Neither, of them impossible in a good troop. Be careful in your choice ?*, "turns'/ for the cabaret. Don't be misled into including plays or sketches that need too much concentration in following. It is annoying to bend down and tackle a piece of cauliflower and then look up to find you have missed the point of the play. Allow -a fair interval between the "turns"—people like to talk. ■ Une turn, then an item from the orchestra, or wireless is a good plan, but don't let tne music be. too loud—a sudden bray from the loud-speaker is enough to make one wallow a whole • potato. Don't be ■ too haphazard in the decoration of the restaurant. Remember, colour schemes play a big part in life today, so consult your, artists and consider their advice. Remember that the hall has got to look like a restaurant and not a parish hall done up for a Sijnday school treat. Scouters are reminded of the campcraft : and woodcraft competitions. Send in your entries early so that arrangements can be made. The Metropolitan Secretary can give you all information necessary. '. ■Anne of .Cleves House at Lewes, a favourite port of call for Sussex visitors, ■ has just been enriched by a very finely carved and painted set of Heraldic' shields, the work of East Grinstead Boy Scouts. J.racking these -craftsmen •to their lair their Scoutmaster, .Dr. Walker, told me ' that these, shields were . becoming quite the fashion in Sussex 'as attractive wall ■ decorations and his boys were busy on numerous private orders. While he was talking it occurred to me that here was • a magnificent hobby, or rather three hob- ' .bies -m one. The .entrancing subject of : iieraldry, aptly termed the shorthand of : history, -the travels and ..adventure in the search for specimens and then the joy of craftsmanship.. The first job is to master Heraldic description,, not a difficult task, for tnere -is no need to dive ton : deeply into the science before a start can be made.. Armed with the necessary knowledge one now sets out in search of specimens. The trails, lead us into old ■churches, castles, books, and buildings, keeping an-eagle eye open for stained-glass : windows,-hatchments, tombs,, and friezes. An attractive design of simple colouring discovered, out comes the notebook, a brief description taken, and a rousrh sketch made. Returning home one draws the full design-and: traces it with a hard pencil and ordinary blue tracing paper on to an inch-thiok ■ piece of oak, now cut out the background with the aid of chisels and gouges. -Five, tools are all that is necessary. Two straight chisels and three gouges of different sizes, the largest about : '""j"1,1111* ide- Carving finished, the Ehield has to be primed with a coat of yellow and then comes, the delicate opera- i tion of gilding. Some . people prefer to \ •use yellow and white paint for the gold . and silver and, according to heraldic experts, this' is quite correct, and if the shield is displayed at-a distance the effect : is good. • Finally comes-, the painting and for the best results . and shades use ■ oil colours. Once proficient one can decide whether fhe hobby is to be for : pleasure or profit. If dark oak panelling is a feature of your home, then home ; decoration will occupy you for some time, 1 as this is an ideal background. As a theme you.may decide...t.d._make a collection of county families, arms-of schools 1

and colleges or cities, or maybe your own family and its offshoots will supply you with sufficient material." While for this hobby you may not be able to find much in the way of heraldry in New Zealand _ churches, etc., you may get quite good'designs, from old books, or you could even use your own ideas. School badEes could be used to. give ideas. County bridges, district council, city coals of arm's could be copied.