SCOUT NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 20864, 6 August 1931, Page 11

SCOUT NOTES

[By Grey Wow.] All communications to bo addressed to “ Grey Wolf,” 4 Star ’ Office, by Monday morning. HOW TO START A TROOP. (Continued), Games. —Games arc most important, as Scout training is based largely upon them. Many varieties will do found in ‘ Scouting For Boys,’ while other books and other Scouters will suggest more. Don’t repeat tho same game too often, however popular it may be. Make up a programme for each meeting beforehand; not necessarily that you may stick to it exactly, but in order that you may never be unprepared. Divide tho timo up into periods of not more than twenty minutes each—first, a period of worn, then a period of games. Above all, you must make tho mootings interesting. Discipline.—Bo firm, honest, and impartial to all. Give as few orders as possible, but have those carried out at the double . (A hint should bo enough for a Scout.) On parade insist rigidly, on smartness, tho Scout sign, and tho uso of “Sir”; off parade allow noise and romping, in which join hr yourself if possible. Times of Mooting.—This depends entirely on local circumstances. Some troops have one mooting a week; others more. Many also meet on Saturday afternoons in addition to a weekly evening mooting. Avoid nndiuj interference with homo leSsOus or night classes, choir practices, and Sunday schools, although with tho two latter it is usually easy, with tact, to make arrangements. As tho patrols progress consider tho possibility of having separate patrol meetings in addition to the troop mooting. Troop meetings usually last from au hour and a-luvlf to two hours. Don’t koop the boys too late, especially in the country. This annoys the parents. Break off at a fixed time whether your programme lias been completed or not. Uniform.—Uniform is a very difficult question. Yon may (a) make each boy provide his own, in which case do not insist on Ids getting the whole at onco. Tho abjection to this plan is that if Caro is not exercised different shades of colours will spoil the turn out of the troop.' (b) Provide tho whole from troop funds. This is not recommended, as it usually gives riso to trouble, and hardly agrees with the spirit of thp 9th Scout Jaw, although in very, rare cases it may bo necessary, (c) Provide part of tbo uniform from troop funds—o.g., hat and scarf when the boy Las produced tho remainder. This frequently works well. Where through poverty a boy is unable to provide himself with any of tho uniform, you may then assist him from troop funds, hut do this privately. (d) Provide tho uniform from troop funds, and charge the boy so much per week until tho whole is repaid. A certain sum should bo paid down before tho uniform is handed over to the boy. Whatever method is adopted, let no boy wear a uniform until he lias passed the teldorfoot tests. Ho is not a Scout until lie lias taken tho Scout promise. Friday, July 31, marked a red-Icttcr, day in the history of the life of tho 4th North Dunedin sphere of activities iu Scout work. A gathering of over 200 Cubs, Scouts, officers, ox-Scouts, parents, and supporters were present at a social evening in the George Street Mall. Tho chairman of the Group Committee (Mr W. Hondorsoii) occupied the chair, and was supported on the platform by tho metropolitan commissioner (Mr‘W. F. Meek), Commissioners Martin and Lailig, District Scoutmasters Phelan and M'Callum, and District Oubmaster Watt. Proceedings wore .opened by tho singing of tho National Anthem, after which, tho chairman extended a hearty wcleomo to all present, and thou briefly outlined tho group’s history for ft number- of years past. At tbo conclusion of his remarks he mentioned that the troop and pack strength to-day was one of the strongest in Dunedin, their number being respectively forty-six and forty. Commissioner Mock gave a short address, offering his congratulations on ■behalf of the district Upon the group’s coming of. age. District Oubmaster Gridgenirtn then took charge of the entertainment of the evening (assisted by, the officers of the group), which .comprised mostly games and competitions for young and old. One very amusing event was the blindfold candle judging competition, in which the commissioners and district officers took part. At 9 o’clock it was a happy and expectant lot of boys Who took their place at tables laden with those good things which-boys know how to do justice to, and great credit is duo to 'the ladies of the committee in charge of Mrs Nicholson, who so capably fulfilled

the boys’ anticipations. It' will long 1)0 remembered the cheers of the boys when the mascot (Ray'Phelan) of the troop, lit the twenty-one candles and cut the birthday cake. During -the: evening a letter was read by S.M. Fairburn from Fred Gratton, an old North Dunedin boy who is at present at Samoa, and who sent his greetings and best wishes, and the cheers that the boys gave him were just about loud enough to bo heard down there. Special credit is duo to the decorators of the hall, Mr Mains and assistants, also to Mr Blair for supplying tho music of the evening,, and to one and all who worked to make the function a success. It-is impossible to give 1 too much praise to tho noble women who are ..associated with the Scouts’ committees arid North Dunedin is fortunate, in having some of tho best. The troop very fittingly terminated its birthday celebrations by a church parade held at Knox Church on .Sunday morning, when Padre Herron gave a very interesting and instructive address to the boys. Last Saturday afternoon at headquarters a second star examination was held. Twenty-nine boys faced the examiners, and eleven passed—eight have still to pass model, and ten failed in signalling. There was a good attendance at the meeting of tho Ist Dunedin Troop (Roslyn) on Friday evening. Inspection was finished by 7.15, and tho troop immediately started on patrol work. Tho pioneering work was carried on under A.S.M. Glassori, while the ambulance squads put in shirio . good ‘wrirk with A.S.M. Allan. ■ The. signalling patrols also' worked'at their Morse flag and semaphore. About 8.30 games took the place of work for half an hour. A game of circle ball was ployed, and caused much excitement and a great deal of fun. Scouts Simpson and Guppies were presented witli second class badges. A leaders’ meeting was hold at the close of the evening. ■ - • The ‘2nd Dunedin (Ist Mornington) Troop assembled witli a good muster on Saturday night. Tho ceremony' of siduting tho colours concluded, the roll was called, pence wore Collected, and announcements made. Scoutors Morris, M'Lareii, and Jenkins were present, and they kept tho rest of tho troop busy, whilst tho ambulance patrol, under Troop-leader Chirnside, was instructed by a St. John Ambulance official. After tho instruction the Stag Patrol under Leader Ken- did tenderfoot and second class work; the Hounds, under Leader J. E. Hartstongo, did badge work; tho Tuis, under Leader Mawhiuing, carried on with signalling, and . tho signalling patrol practised under Leader Hartstonge. Tho boys who successfully completed their secorid class examination were Scouts Reynolds, Mnndy, Ottaway, and Dennison, all of the Seagull Patrol. On Saturday morning the troop turned out in. strong force and set out on tho rounds, collecting for tho mayoress’s “pound a week” scheme.. A wonderful “haul” resulted. There are only a feu- places left vacant in tho troop now, so lads who wish to join had better hurry and get down to business. On Friday a lull muster of the 2nd Dunedin (2nd Morningtoii) Troop_ fell in promptly to the Scouter’s whistle. After inspection and pence ■ collection tho patrols proceeded to their corners. The Wolf Patrol (P.L. Anderson) took signalling, Bellbird Patrol (P.L. Holy) signalling, and the Owl Patrol (P.L. Skinner) splicing, while the Cuckoo Patrol (P.L. White) took knots. During this time A.S.M. M'Laron took the recruits for tenderfoot work. t Ambulance instruction, under supervision of Mr Doherty, was given by members of tho troop. Scout B. Palmer was presented with his Second class badge, and coat lapel badges were- also presented. A.S.M. M‘Laron with the troop practised troop signs, such as falling in, attention, falling in in two lines, .and falling in in horseshoe formation. After an enjoyable cup of cocoa the troop was dismissed.

The 7th .Dunedin (Anderson's Bay) Troop met on Friday last, only one lad being absent. During the evening two recruits were enrolled, both of them showing promise in Scout work and ideals. T. Somerville passed Ids tenderfoot tost, and will shortly be an asset to the troop. It has been definitely decided to outer patrols for the ambulance and pioneering sections at the forthcoming rally, but owing to the scarcity of boys having sufficient knowledge of signalling this section will have to be abandoned. The 10th Dunedin _ (Green Island) Troop paraded on Friday night with an attendance of seventeen. After the rolls had been marked and the patrols inspected, the boys went to work, the Panthers taking mapping and conventional signs, Kiwis knotting and lashing, Bollbirds Morse and semaphore signalling, the recruits general tenderfoot work. Members of the troop were' out on Saturday _ collecting the parcels in connection with the relief work. . The 11th Dunedin (Caversham) Troop rallied in its headquarters on Friday. After the flag had been hoisted tho troop repeated the promise. The patrols were then dismissed to their corners, where the following work was gone through :■ —‘Owls, pioneering; Weasels, signalling; Stags, ambulance. S.M. Cummings then collected the sub-

scriptions and inspected the troop, after which he told the Scouts of the forthcoming birthday party. At 9 o’clock tho flag was lowered, the troop saluting, and wore dismissed. A court of honour was- afterwards held. Several of tho Parents’ • Committee were present during the evening. The attendance at Woodhaugli on Monday night was good. A varied programme was gone through and enjoyed by everyone, especially the game of Soccer, which is almost a weekly item. On Friday night fifteen Cubs, with' Akela and Baloo. crept towards tho Council Rock. On arrivel there tho pack was split into two paros, one to learn second star, and the other, under. Baloo, to practise for tho coming Cub com petitions, and to play cubby games. Jhe-second run of the cycle patrol this season was made to Waitati on Sunday j in spite of a very stiff wind.Over Mount Cargill to Waitsti was not bad, but on the return journey along the back road the vind was troublesome. Arouud Pidgeon Flat, however, the run was enjoyed, and all are looking for more.