SCOUT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 33, 8 August 1934, Page 18

SCOUT NOTES

(By "Tho Scribe.")

Many Scouters and secretaries will be sorry to learn of- the resignation of Mr. A. Hepburn as metropolitan secretary. Mr. Hepburn now has a business at the ITutt and found difficulty iv sparing sufficient time to. eopo with the work of the headquarters oflice. We all appreciate his untiring services to the movement, and wish him every success with his new venture.

We take the opportunity of introducing to readers Miss E. Waiuwright, who has been appointed metropolitan secretary. Miss Wainwright is a fairly recent arrival from Auckland, and comes with excellent credentials. Scouters and district secretaries can be assured ;o£ prompt and efficient handling of their business with metropolitan headquarters, which will now be open from 10 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. and 1.15 p.m. to 5.15 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. The office will not he open on Friday evening. All those who contemplate visiting the Melbourne Jamboree are warned that they must make up their minds at once. Those who intend going should book their passages themselves with the shipping company, and immediately pay ten shillings ;is deposit on account of the camp fee to the metropolitan office. They will then be advised of subsequent arrangements. There is no need to worry about camp gear in the meantime. Details of shipping iind other arrangements may be obtained from the district secretaries or from the metropolitan oflice. Scout masters are reminded that the area competitions will be hold on September 2D and October 6. District competitions will, of course, be held priorto those dates/ and particulars of date and conditions of tho various competitions should, bo obtained from the secretary for the district.

Scouters are advised that Tenderpnd and Tenderfoot badges, Scout and Cub service stars, and copies of '"P.0.R." are now stocked by the metropolitan office. A very pleasant afternoon was spent on Saturday by the Cubs of the Britannia (Wellington Central) and Robin Hood (Hutt Valley) packs at a well-fought Soccer mat^h. Through the kindness o£ Mr. Happed, director of the Boys' Institute, the institute gymnasium was placed at the disposal of the Cubs, and the inclemency of the weather was not allowed to interfere with the enjoyment of the contest. Robin Hood were the victors by two goals to' one, but Britannia are out for tt bloodthirsty revenge in a return Rugby match in the near future.

The Scouters of St. Hilda's Anglican group, Island Bay, report that the group is now full and that in future there T,vill have to be a waiting list. Everybody is striving to become as efficient as possible, no that shortly, when outdoor work is possible, they will be ready. Since camp nearly everyone has passed his second class, and so eager were they to earn proJiciency badges that a close season has to be called, as the Scouters feared that home lessons might perhaps suffer somewhat. The Cub pack under Akela (Miss Wagg) has come on splendidly, and several are about to open their eyes. Miss Wagg would welcome any young lady who is ■willing to devote the necessary time to (his kind of work. As the size of the pack is now 25 she really needs an assistant. The pack meets at St. Hilda's Hall at C.30 p.m. on Fridays. The First Lower Hutt Rovers have consented to undertake the arrangements in connection with the Hutt Valley and Bays Old Wolves' dance, which is to be held in the First Lower Hutt .Scout Den on Saturday, August 18. A very hearty invitation is extended to all Scouters and committee members, also to Scouters, Old Wolves, and committee members of other districts in the Wellington area. The charge is Is per head for Scouters in the Valley and 6d per head for those attending from outside districts. A very interesting programme is being drawn up with a view to effectively dealing with the "Gloom Germ." Please ring Chil. to keep you a place in the crowd. Greetings from East Harbour Cubs, who are very busy practising a Robin Hood play for the parents' evening. Alas, at the last pack meeiug it was reported that Robin Hood was obliged to stay at home because his brother had mumps! However, a very good message was received from Robin to the effect that he knew every word of his part, and that mother and dad were acting Will Scarlet, Allan a Dale, and Little John, etc., so that Robin will not lose the thread, so to speak. We are very pleased to report that Mrs. Battersby and Mrs. Reesby are undertaking a 1 course of Cub training preparatory to the probationary period as Wolf Cub officers of this pack. ■ There was a very fine muster of parents, friends, and others at the parents' evening, held by "Wi Tako" troop on July 31. The hon. metropolitan commissioner, Sir Alfred Robin, with Miss Robin, attended, and also Commissioners R. Nelson and H. E. Browne, Scouters H. Beaver, C. Homer, J. Weatherley, Morlcy, J. Day, and Miss Hepburn, from the district. Other important people present were the metropolitan secretary, and Mr. C. McAllister, of the district executive. The programme was arranged to show the methods of "sense training" and physical tr.aining in rise in Scouting, and included "tumbling" by the team, which is as follows: A. Hart (leader), K. Parry, J. Hanson, J. Fisher, F. Tegg, and Ron. Henry. Two sets of "Dumb Show" wore staged by each patrol, one of "Acting the Scout Law," and the other of "Incidents in History," each being entirely worked up by the patrol. Two humorous stunts, "The Strong Man," with J. Davidson, V. Cresswell, and J. O'Brien, and "The Sharpshooter," with 0. Hill, R. Jones,, and J. Crane, provided much fun. The programme opened with the "Piteone" haka, and a welcome rhyme, and a happy "campfire" was run. Short explanations of sense-training and the mind, by Mr. R. Aldrich, Group Scoutmaster, and the Scout motto, by Mr. R. Nelson, district commissioner, were given. Sir Alfred Robin delighted all by his happy remarks, drawing attention to the benefits to be derived from the work which had been seen. The troop welcomed him with the "Wi Tako" Yell, and gave three rousing cheers at the conclusion of his remarks. In closing, the troop yell was also given for Patrol-Leader Vie. Cresswell, who is shifting to Wellington. Vie has done very fine work with the troop, and all are genuinely sorry to see him go away. We hope that he will carry on his good work. Jt was most pleasant to have with us on that evening as well .members of the St. Aloysins Catholic Troop, and the "Arawa" (Moera) Sea Scouts. Through the generosity of the college nuthorities the annual Soccer tournament between Catholic Boy Scout groups in Wellington area, was held during the weekend at St. Patrick's College, Silverstreanr. Although the weather was anything but pleasant, the first round and part of the semi-finals were played off with the following results:—First round: St. Anne's beat St. Francis de Sales. 3-0; S.t. Patrick's. (Kilbirnie) beat Mt. Cartnel, 1-0; St. Aloyßius beat St. Joseph's, 5-0; St..Mary's beat St. Bernand's, 20. Semi-finals: St. Patrick's (Kilbirnie) beat St. Anne's, 3-f); St. Mary's beat St. Aloysius, 20. At this juncture play had to be abandoned owing to continued heavy rain, but it is hoped to be able to play off the remaining games'as noon as possible. Despite the disappointment of not being able to play the finals, the boys returned to town tired but happy after a good day's outing. On Saturday, AiiKust-4, at the I'irst Roseneath Scout Den, a fair was held which resulted in £5 12s being collected, although the day was very wet. This response was very good. Thanks are due to Mrs. T. G. Cox for arranging and organisms, also to Mesdames Downes, Clarke. McGregor, Pegram, Wright, Nicholson. Husband, and Tollan. Stalls included Ihe following:—Produce, flowers, cakes, jumble, sweets. Afternoon tea was served.