SCOUT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 99, 28 April 1937, Page 22

SCOUT NOTES

(By "Brown Wolf.")

A further set of problems is set for Scouts in First Roseneath troop arid other Scouts interested. The troop is asked this week to send the answers tp) "Koala," 4 Waipapa Koad, Hataitai, E. 2, on or' before Saturday. A' fur-V ther series will appear next Wednesday. . ' ..• . ■ l. Make a rough sketch of your Den and mark thereon the four points of the compass. ... ~ 2. Describe a game which you would like to have on the next troop meeting. (Try to think of a game which we have not had and preferably one with a "Scouty" flavour.) 3. If "a small boy put his hand in. a wood-pecker's nest," what would ti^s wood-pecker say if it could speaklj? Why? State the Scout Law dealing, with this question and briefly describeany pets you keep at home. 4. What are the uses of the following knots? (a) Sheet bend; (b) clove hitch; (c) "the knot that will not slip." 5. Make a list of personal gear which you will pack in kit on the next patrol weekend camp." . 6. Describe as fully as you can how you would set about cooking "burgoo' or porridge to fill six hungry Scouts. Some general interest appears to have been taken in the Koseneath troop problems set last week. ■ The Scoutmaster has heard of various cases of Scouters and Scouts wrestling with the problem of tying up a person with a piece of string 10 inches, long in such a manner that he cannot escape. For the benefit of those who attempted the problems the following comments are made by the Scoutmaster of Roseneath:—"The answer to the first problem is to place the person's hands behind his back and tie the two thumbs tightly together with the. string. By heaving him down on to his stomach and bending his legs back so that his boots can be slipped into ■ the loop formed by his arms tied at the thumbs, escape is impossible. The Scout scarf should only be used as a bandage, for smoke, etc., in an emergency and the practice of using the%scarf for games is not a good one. The stave is a useful measure rod if accurately marked. The menu for. tea on Saturday should be one requiring minimum preparation such as saveloys, lettuce, etc., because the afternoon is naturally devoted to pitching camp and generally getting settled. The remaining questions were on the whole well done and' do not require any comments.". Central Social. • ' . . The Scouters of the, Wellington Central area invite all Scouters,. Cubmasters, and Rovers to join them in St. Peter's Hall, (Jhuznee Street, on Monday next. They have arranged a splendid social • .programme. and Scouters are assured of a happy social evening. All are asked to. bring some supper. . ' ■ ■ . - . Roscneatli Dance. ; ' Scouters, Rovers, and friends of the movement are reminded of' the Coronation dance to take place'at,the ■Roseneath Scout Den next' Saturday, evening commencing 'at Bjp.m: .^Dress informal.- The dance promises to be a very successful one.1 ■ '"'. . ' Training' Classes. ' ' '. • Plans' for the winter classes are to be commenced about the middle :of May and Scouters. holding .provisional warrants, besides any prospective Scouters are requested to watch this column for further details. , It is especially desirable that,any Scouters who hay» not already attended-a district-training course should make every endeavour to be present. North Court of Honour. +v,Allw SCi<?" tmasters and cubmasters in the Wellington North, area are reminded of the Court of Honour to be held in the,den of, the. First Kelbiirn Group on Thursday, May 6. It is especially desirable that all members do their utmost to be present and show their real .support. Wellington South Dance. . In an endeavour,- to liquidate their levy the Wellington South district scouters are holding a social and dance next Wednesday at. St. Thomas' Hall, Newtown: An excellent programme is being . prepared by Mr. Kelly, of the Miramar group, and all scouters, old Wolves, and committee-, men are invited to bring along their friends. We are sure all scouters will make every effort to be present and support the South district' in such a worthy endeavour.1 : For further particulars those interested should ring the district cubmastex, Mrs. Hoggard. Be Useful. ...... , 1 With scouting activities again curtailed owing to the . restrictions imposed by the epidemic of infantile paralysis Scouts can well-be 'occupied by training their energies to sparetime activities and at the same time be a real help and do several good turns to their mothers. There are any amount of-useful little household appliances that; Scouts can make and which are easy to construct in wood with the use 'of the few simple' tools usual in the average home. Packing cases will provide the material. ■ A towel roller is an easy thing to make. Plane up a piece of wood about two feet in length, • five .inches wide; and three-quarters of an .inch thick. This is for the back to be screwed on the wall or door. Next make two brackets. to be screwed at right-angles to and, at each end of the back board. They should be of the same depth as the back board, five inches, and sticking out aboufc. three inches. They can be cut triangular in shape, semi-circular, or in any .design you may fancy. Now drill a small hole in each • bracket' about two •. inches out from the .back board and half-way between the. .top ' and bottom . edges.' These are-to:take the nails which are driven in at each end' of the roller to attach it to the . brackets:- In -one bracket cut a; slot diagonally from thetop edge about 45 degrees until- you get to the hole. This'is for the'roller to slip in-easily. Now get a piece of broomstick, of a,length to reach easily between the brackets.. Round off the ends with a wood rasp and drill, a hole in each end, and knock a 2£in nail about half-way in each end. File the heads off the nails. Push, the roller into position by sticking the nail: at one end through the hole in one bracket, and drop the nail in the other end of the roller in the slot in the other bracket. Sandpaper the whole thing and paint or stahrit as you wish, and screw into position through the back, board, .behind a door or on a wall, whichever suits mother "best. A cheap stain can be made from a pennyworth of. condys crystal dissolved in- a little' boiling water. " Make it look pretty dark, as it dries considerably lighter. You can apply two' or three coats, of this with a brush, and when dry apply some linseed oil. . Next, week I .will describe something else useful in the home and easy to make. There is a series of sketches' at Metropolitan Headquarters illustrate ing simple household articles. Scouts may have a look at these if they have any difficulty in making a few. usefulgadgets for the home; Remember. Scouts, this is a useful way of carrying. out what we. call-Essexs toe- Acks,- besides a practical manner of doing a series of good turns to the best pal you have or ever will have—MOTHER. Eletropolitan Office. The ■ Metropolitan Office will be closed on Friday night and Saturday morning. -