SCOUT NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 18254, 19 April 1923, Page 4

SCOUT NOTES

[By Kiwi.]

All communicntiors to hr addressed h “Kiwi” ‘Star' Office, before, 1.3 o’clod on Mondays. Thin is the time of tho year when mosi valuable practice in Scouts' pace can b< obtained. No better or more natural fonr of exercise can be found than running, i hoys are trained to run properly, and il they are not allowed to run too fast oi too far, and so risk strain of heart am: lungs. Cross-country running done, al Scouts’ pace is a fine winter activity, ant one in which all troops can indulge as :: part of the winter programme of training, Scouts' pace is a thing to be constantly practised, without which it is simply c farce. So many Scouts s.--em somehow k: fail to realise that Scouts' pace, in addition to being the quickest way of covering (ho ground with as little fatigue a.s possible, is also a. means of measuring time when the Scout knows the distance, and a way of chocking distance travelled when lie is the proud possessor of a watch. This means that Scouts’ pace has to be practised continually until the Scout can be quite wire that'after travelling for twelve minutes lie has covered exactly a mile, or, per contra, having started Scouts’ pace at 12.20 at the first milestone, he knows that on arrival at the second milestone the time will bo 12.32. The, Chief Scout of the world refers to the Zulus and the Bhutan! peasants as tho strongest, healthiest races he ever came across, and attributes it to the fact that they had plenty of God’s fresh air and lots of walking, running, and climbing. Cannot we, as facouts, sec to it that our bovs get the same kind of training'' A weekly cross-country or cross-town run at Scouts’ pace, followed by a cold shower, if possible, throughout the winter would make our boys fee! simply bubbling over with health and spirits; and it the boys take a stop-watch and time each mile they will be really capable of passing the Scouts’ pace test, as it should be passed, with not more than five seconds either wav. Do not stop in the club room all night, with windows closed ; got out and run those winter nights. There s wind to be felt and stars to be seen o’ nights in town as well as on the Belt. The Mornnigton Back Wolf Cubs met at 6 p.m. on Saturday. A good muster assembled and hud a good time under their Cuhmastor. Tho Moniington Troops assembled at 7.15. The muster was not quite up to standard, but four lads bad received leave of absence during the day. It speaks well for a Scout's .enthusiasm, as well as his attention to the law. “ A Scout ia courteous ” when ho applies for leave of absence from his officer, stating tho true reasons. Mr Wilson had the Lion and Stag patrols under instruction in ambulance work. The n.c.o.s had charge of their patrols, and the discipline showed that a big interest was taken in the work. The C.S.M. took over the signalling squad for a time. Much attention will have to be given to this branch of Scoutcraft if long-distance signalling is to bo done. Recruit Murray succeeded in passing tho tenderfoot tests. Before the troop was dismissed a round with the gloves by two ■of the Tiger patrol proved tho best bout yet this season. Some hard knocks were given and received. This exercise is a splendid one to develop the Scout’s smile and whistle under all difficulties. MiMason, of the Troop Committee, paid a visit during the evening. The St. Clair Troop met in the Presbyterian Church Hall on Friday evening, Scoutmasters Rev. J. Miller and A. Agnew in charge. A visit was received from General Andrews (chairman Dominion j Executive), who inspected the troop and j also addressed a few words. The rest of ! the evening was spent in second class I work. ! Tlis Ocean Beach Troop held a splendid parade last Wednesday' evening, the 11th inst., only two Scouts being absent. After roll call Loaders W. Sbepperd, B. Reynolds, V. Watt, andi A. O'Kane wore presented with their first class badges. R. Reynolds also received his swimmer’s and cyclist badges. Patrol points were taken during the evening, the Stags securing the highest. A short, practice for the forthcoming concert terminated at 8 p.m., when the troop was dismissed, tho officers having to attend a Parents’ Committee meeting. Last Wednesday evening the parents of the Scouts and Cubs had the honor of meeting Brigadier-general Andrews, from

Christchurch, who was accompanied K Air Chadwick and R.AI. Carden, of tin Hoslyn Troop. Mr Chadwick introducer the visitor, and right from the commence merit of his speech he kept the parent: interested in scouting- and also in his litth joh.es. At (lie end of his speech the act ing chairman, Mr Todd, said that the parents of the troop nod pack wore dc lighted in receiving such a visitor, ami no doubt he had stirred' their hearts towards scouting. Three hearty cheer? and the singing of “For he's a jolly good tellow ’’ were then accorded the general. Last Monday evening the Forth Dunedin Troop was visited by .Major Fleming (Commissioner of Otago) and Mr Chad wick (chairman of (he S.A.). Major Fleming, in a speech to the lads, said that in days gone by the Forth Dunedin Troop was looked upon as the troop of Dunedin, and if it kept on going as now it would not bo long before it hold that high position again. Mr Chadwick also apoko to (he boys. On Saturday last the combined troops of Forth Dunedin and Ocean Beach, thirty in all, journeyed l to an out-of-the-way place named Stony' Hill. Thiik manuka, had to ho travelled through before the lads came upon the selected spot. After a wellearned reft the good scouting game of •Spotty” was played. Scout S. Bethnne secured the first prize, a great big rosy apple. A snack was then partaken of. and a. start for home made at 4.45. In the return journey four lads look the wrong track, which brought them out about three-quarters of a mile beyond the rest of the troop. The Rnslyn Pack had a fine evening last Thursday. The parade, totalled fortyone cubs and three officers, under S.AI. Smith. Routine work was practised as usual. Just before dismissal. General Ani drew visited the pack, and after wakhimr ' one of the jungle dances for a time, addressed a, few words to the little fellows, .and told some interesting stories of his experiences. At 8 p.m. the following .members oi the Troop Committee assembled for the- first, meeting in the new ! quarters :—Mesdamcs J. K. Mactio, Ib- . botson, and Poole, Messrs Drew. Maggot, : Ihbolson, Sinclair, Fuller, Poole, Josophsnn, King, and Paterson, Scoutmasters Garden : and Smith. General Andrew addressed ; the meeting for some time, emphasising j the necessity of strong parents’ committees in connection with all troops. Air .Tosephson asked if it would be possible to hold a dominion rally at Dunedin at exhibition time, to which the General replied that it was an excellent idea, and should be referred to the local association for further consideration. After the General's departure an ordinary meeting was held, at which Mr Drew was elected chairman and Air Alcgget secretary for the new year. It was also decided that, the, chairman, secretary, and scoutmaster be empowered to act in connection with finance without the necessity of calling the committee together for that purpose alone. .Mrs Macho suggested that the Scouts should give a wreath at (ho Anzac Day service. Other important business was

; satisfactorily completed. Altogether the ;meeting proved both the largest and most enthusiastic committee meeting yet held in connection with tho Eoslyn Troop. On i’ nday night every boy was on parade, under Scoutmasters Garden, Smith, and Walkinshaw. Several parents were also present to watch the boys at work. ExScoutmaster G. Butler, from 11th Aberdeen Troop, was also an interested visitor. Tho customary routine on this occasion was rearranged, games forming the early period from 7.15 till 7.45. The games of “straight face” and “snatch ball,” quite new to everyone but the umpire, were greatly enjoyed. An attempt is being made to provide at least one new game each week, which thus helps a great deal towards variety and amusement. Shortly afterward*, General Andrew (chairman Dominion Council), Major Fleming (Commissioner for Otago),- and Mr Chadwick (chairman local association) paid a visit. The following work was then’ inspected under Che various instructors:—Bridge building (Leader Glen), signalling (.Mr Eaton), knotting (S.M. Smith), ambulance (Leader Shanks). The General expressed satisfaction at tho parade, and proceeded to question numerous badge-holders. This “ pow-wow,” which was carried.out in a chatty fashion, with the boys seated on the floor in front of tho officers, was quite interesting for all concerned. The troop gave tho haka of welcome in good style. The General asked to see one of the boys lead the haka. Second Torrance at once set the troop in motion again, the result being another exhibition of waving arms, protruding tongues, accom- '

paired by lusty shouts. At 9 p.m. tho Court of Honor held a lengthy meeting. One delinquent was brought forward for a minor offence, admonished, and dis missed. Many matters oh importance were fully discussed, and it was eventually decided that the troop was in a most flourishing and satisfactory condition. The gilds of the First Roslyn Troop mustered well in thevr new hall on Friday evening They are now parading in tho hail lately occupied by the boys’ troop. The gills, being on a. sound financial footing, and in the past possessing very little furnishings and equipment, they are now enjoying cosy and useful furnishings. A splendid cupboard is now stocked with everything that is required for the cooking lessons, a gas cooker having been donated by Miss M. Jlcvnolds. A table and chairs have also been presented by a well-wisher of tho movement. During the evening a visit was paid to the troop by General Andrew (chairman of tho Dominion Executive), Maior Fleming (Scout Commissioner), and Mr A. H. Chadwick (chairman of tho local executive). The General inspected the troop, and congratulated Scout,mistresses Glcndining and Taylor upon having such a splendid lot of girls. Before leaving (lip General was accorded tho Girl Scouts’ haka. A number of the troop committee were also present. On Saturday about twenty of the girls marched over the bills, and the day being everything that could bo desired, a very enjoyable time was spent.