SCOUT NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 17542, 23 December 1920, Page 10

SCOUT NOTES

[By Kiwi.]

All communications to be addressed to “ Kiwi‘Star’ Office, before 1f.30 p.vi. Mondays. Let byganes be byganes Wha’s huffed at anither? •Dinna cloot the auld days And the new anes tbegither. Wi’ the fauts and the failings O’ past years-be done; Wi’ a grip o’ fresh freenship A new vear begin. —M. W. Wood*

The Camp Fire.—A good way to build a camp fire is to dig a trench four or five feet long and a few inches deep. Tale two logs, which are not very dry, and place one on each side of your trench, sufficiently wide apart to stand the billy and dixie on. Lay the fire between the logs, and you will be able to heat your billies and -dixies quickly. Dutch Oven.—Campers will find a Dutch oven a very useful thing, and once it is made it will be there for a long time to come. First select a level, smooth place, and make a neat pile of dry saplings about 4ft long and Ift high. See that the sticks are straight, and lie closely together. One end of the pile should be evened up nicely, and an old pot or keg lid set into the ground against it, so ’that it comes oven with the shape of the half-circle of saplings. This pile is then covered witli old newspapers. Then wet, pure clay is thoroughly mixed and plastered over the pile to a depth of several inches. Two short lengths of a log, Ift or so in diameter, and with the bark removed, are stood on top, to allow later for openings over which to cook food and boil water. A third length of log, not over- Sin in diameter, is placed also on top, but towards the rear, to provide an opening for the flue. This log should be loosely wrapped several times with newspapers, so that the heat will burn them off and make its removal easy. The. front of the oven is neatly rounded as the building progresses, and the whole covered with clay, well kneaded to exclude all air bubbles. Tho top is levelled off. making it convenient for cooking. After standing a day it is ready for firing. ‘ A long stick is wrapped with rags and soaked in oil. pushed into tho middle of the oven and lighted. After several hours tire sapling will have burned out. and tho oven is then ready for use. With a little use it will become'hard like brick, and will stahd all sorts of ropgh use, and. at the same time be immune’-to rains and storms. Regular camp dinners may be dished up on this oven. The St. Kilda Nos. 1 and 2 Troops met in large numbers last Wednesday evening. The work consisted of knot-tying and ambulance competitions between the various patrols, marks being awarded. During the holidays the troop is going into camp at Portobello. A good time is anticipated. The break-up of the Ist Roslyn Troop was held on Thursday evening. Mr A. H. Chadwick (chairman of the Troop Committee) presided. A large number of parents and friends had accepted the invitation to be present. The Roslyn Troop of Girl Peace Scouts, under Scoutmistvess Taylor, attended in full force. An apology was received for the absence of Major Fleming (District Commissioner). S.M. Garden, on behalf of the district, presented framed certificates to the boys of the ambulance team, who earned off'the Angli. can Challenge Cup. He also handed to Mr John Hay (the ambulance instructor) an enlarged photograph of the team, suitably framed and inscribed, as a token of appreciation from the troop for his willing and successful services as instructor. The following is the list of prize-winners for the year, to whom the chairman presented the prizes : —Best all-round Scout (Mr A. De Beer’s watch), Bugler Allan Kay; most efficient Scout (troop medal, silver fleur de lys). Leader Albert Shanks; most popular Scout (Mr Kelk’s volume), Leader Eon. Cuthbcrt (a vote was taken among the boys to decide the winner) ; for long-’and faithful service (SAL and A.S.M.’s volume). Corporal Harry Glen; darning and sewing competition "(Mrs King’s watch), Leader Leslie Smith; the “hard ease ” of the troop (chairman’s volume), Scout Jimmy Hitt. An excellent musical programme was contributed to by the following : —Piano and violin duet. Messrs. Len and Harold Beath; piano solo, Scout Kathleen Allum; flute duet. Leader R. Cuthbert and Scout J. Beath; accordion solo, A.S.M. Smith (encored); songs—Mrs Green, Leader Mavis Smith, Messrs Paterson (encored), MTvay (encored), and M‘Neill; musical monologue. Miss M. Hunt (encored) ; recitations —Miss Stewart, Scoutmistress Death, Scouts Hayward and B. Smith ; part song, pupils of Mrs Grubb. The duties of accompanist were ably undertaken by Mrs Grubb. The chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the performers, donators of the prizes, to Mrs Garden for the loan of piano. Mr M. Dawson for tea. Salvation Army for use of the main hall. Girl Scouts for cake, and the accompanist© (Mrs Grubb, which vote was carried by acclamation and cheers). Supper was handed round, and an enjoyable function was brought to a close with the singing of the National Anthem. Tho season's greetings to all readers.