SCOUT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 131, 4 June 1936, Page 22

SCOUT NOTES

(By "Sahi.")

The man who does all he can, in a low station, is more a hero than he who omits any worthy action he is able to accomplish in a great one. Steele—"The Spectator." The first anniversary of the re-es-tablishment of the First Roseneath Troop was held last Wednesday evening at the Scout Den. Prior to the arrival of the invited guests, a Goingud" ceremony was held, and Bruce Mcßobie was welcomed into the troop from the Cub pack. On arrival of the Metropolitan Commissioner, Mr. H. V. Foster, and Mr. D. J. Boyle, District Commissioner, Wellington North, the Grand Howl and the Dominion Haka were given. Following Flag _ Break and the National Anthem an enjoyable camp fire was held. Interspersed with songs and camp-fire 'items Hatni (Metropolitan Commissioner), Mudge Keewis," Mr. B. J. L. Jukes (deputy chairman of group committee), and Dr. F. T. Bowerbank (chairman of the Dominion executive of Toe H) gave brief messages of congratulations and wished the troop all success for the future. The idea of the "King's Week" and "Shipmates" and the "Shipmates Chorus" was attempted. During the evening Mr. C. W. Bear ("Pater ) a member of the Metropolitan Council for Boy Scouts, was accepted as patron of the First Roseneath troop. The Metropolitan Commissioner, with due ceremony, conferred on the Scoutmaster. Mr. W. G. Bear, the permanent Scouting name of "Koala." After supper and "Auld Lang Syne" cheers were given by the troop for all those who had worked for the Scouts rfuring the year. Flag Down, troop and pack prayers, and Taps brought a really happy evening to a close. Among those present in addition to those already mentioned were Mrs. Jukes, Mr. C. S. Clarke (secretary of the group committee) and Mrs. Clarke, and ladies of the group committee, Mr. C. L. S. Green (deputy camp chief), Dr. C. Gordon Kemp, and members of the Wellington East Group of Toe H, Miss L. Nicholson ("Keego"), Cubmaster of Roseneath, Miss I. Newbury, and Mr. H. Wood. Apologies were received from Mr. P. T. Smither (District Commissioner) and Mrs. H. V. Foster (District Cubmaster). The Raukawa Sea Rovers received a visit from the Ist Wellington Crew last Thursday. After several strenuous games, in which the dead on both sides was fairly even, the land Rovers were taken out for a run in the Sea Rovers' boat. Instead of having a sing-song round a campfire it was held out on the "ocean"—the water and the distance no doubt lending enchantment to the singing. After the visitors had been initiated into the several mysteries of rowing both crews returned to Raukawa's headquarters for supper.

The following extract is part of an editorial in "The Victorian Scout," in which the editor answers a challenge made in a previous issue of the paper:— "The challenge contained in the contributions in both this and last month's issue 'Is Scouting on the Wane?' should be taken up. What of the future of Scouting? We suppose every earnest Scouter has at one time or another thought about this question. There have been other world movements, some small and some great, throughout the run of recorded history, that have flourished, then languished, and finally have disappeared into the abyss of time. Each was called into being by some human need, and having achieved its aim, or because it outwore its usefulness, it went the way of all worn-out or useless things.

"Scouting may be classified as an educational movement. Its aim, as given by the Chief Scout himself, was to fill up the chinks left in the educational framework by prevailing educational systems—he denied it was an educational revolution, but only an addition to what was already in vogue, with perhaps a difference of outlook as well. We have no doubt that Baden Powell's contribution to the world's weal will be placed on the pedagogic side; he has been a great teacher of citizenship in its widest sense, and of the place of service in the struggle fpr happiness. "The need for Scouting will exist just as long as the chinks referred to still exist in the schemes of ordinary education, and when Scouting begins definitely to wane, it will probably be because the need for a separate organisation of essential parts of the educational fabric no longer is felt. Other great teachers have left their mark on the science of teaching —both as to its content and its methods —and Baden Powell will certainly leave his. But the process of evolution of all things is a gradual one, and the methods of official schools do not adapt themselves as readily to new ideas as can unofficial organisations, which may spring up beside them. Official education has also a great deal to do. and it is questionable whether it can ever hope to cover everything, and take complete charge of the growing child. The Scoutmaster is. therefore, not necessarily any more than another cducator who takes charge of boys during part of their leisure to do what the schoolmaster hasn't time to do. or probably wishes to do. If the school does more of the Scouters job in the future, then there will be less for the Scouter to do, but on present indications it will certainly take a very long time before the Scout movement has its field of operations taken from it.

"It is all nonsense to suggest that the novelty has worn oft Scouting because schools and other organisations have adopted it. They have adopted some of the ideas certainly, but not in the classroom, and the fact that most of the most progressive schools have also excellent Scout troops merely proves that the schoolmaster and the scoutmaster do not as yet cover the same ground. Their objectives are possibly the same; the roads they travel are different. Scouting filled a need in the world, hence its great success. That need still exists, and until it is completely satisfied or until something better is put forward to overcome the need, there seems to be no reason why Scouting should not continue to flourish. But it must continue to adopt itself in its methods to the progress of civilisation, and a falling-off in numbers or interest is a symptom of which it is well to seek the cause. Such a symptom has developed recently in England; analysis of it and honest discussion might well lead to the discovery of the tonic that will set the matter right. But there is surely no need to think the patient is seriously ill because. he loses a little weight."