SCOUT NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 21232, 13 October 1932, Page 14

SCOUT NOTES

[By Guey Wolf.] The Scouts’ turn-out on Friday night was very good indeed and the marching was very much improved. Probably this was due in some measure to tho splendid playing of the AVaverley Boys’ Brass Band and also to the wayin " which Rover Pirrett ordered the parade. The rally on Saturday was a fine example of scouting, and shows what useful work is being done by the Scouts, and the whole affair reflected great credit on the committee which arranged tho programme and those responsible for training the boys. Next time, though, Scouts must bo more punctual in arriving at the ground on time. The annual meeting of tho Dunedin district will be hold to-night. The chief commissioner for New Zealand (Colonel Fenwick) will be present. Totems wore the means by which the North American Indians honoured their illustrious dead. Those totems took the form of poles carved and painted to represent animals of the forest and fish of the sea. To-day those totems stand as the only tangible link between the red man and the paleface; they, when interpreted aright, give the history of tho tribe, the family, and tho individual. So, too, can Scout troops add a little more of the woodcraft touch to their troop and patrol work by using a totem on which is represented all the outstanding events of its history. The carvings will be checked up in the log hook and thus will be a constant reminder to all whom they concern. A little of tho meaning of Indian totems will be necessary before a troop can set out in this interesting application of handcraft. The top figure was the animal taken as “ the coat of arms.’’ To the Indian the animal had, it was supposed, a natural affinity, creating an obligation of mutual helpfulness. The man reciprocated by not killing tho animal, by showing respect, and by enforcing respect from others. An Indian coming on anyone abusing his totem animal covered his face in shame and afterwards exacted retribution from the offender. The patrol emblem could ho considered here in the same light. Tho American master carver first selected a suitable timber (study of woods), trimmed the log and smoothed it ready for carving (axemanship), and then began ‘carving (handcraft). First ho fashioned the hero’s wife’s totem, next came tho hero’s totem, and then followed representations of exploits—buffaloes killed, scalps collected, and so on. The application of all this to Scouting is that each troop should select a totem ; the animal or bird of their troop call, if they have one, will serve admirably to surmount the troop totem pole; each patrol to have its own patrol totem surmounted by tho patrol emblem, and, finally, each Scout to have bis staff as bis. own personal totem. This also will bo .surmounted by the patrol emblem. The troop totem will servo ns a supplementary troop log. the patrol totem a patrol log, and the individual Scout staff would represent the owner’s service in the movement, bis personal history, badges, hikes, camps, exploits, etc. Each Scout in a troop, therefore, has two totems. He belongs to the tribe (troop) of, say. the Seagulls, and is part of the family (patrol) of. say, the Pie-eons. For more precise information on°how to keep the individual totem see ‘ Loneeraft.’ by Hargreaves. TROOP PARADES. 9 n d Dunedin (2nd Alornington) did not parade at its headquarters on Friday last, as the boys, were required to parade along town in anticipation of the rallv. Afterwards the troop returned to headquarters, where preparations were made for the rally to be field next. day. The troop was dismissed at 0 o'clock. The boys were pleased to have with (hen one of the scoutmaster:- who has been away lor some tinii', Scouter AULaivr. lie was welcomed very heartily. ()a Saturday an excellent muster of boys was present

at tho rally. Tho two Pioneering patrols, under Leaders AA 7 aito and Hely, did excellent work making a monkey bridge and a derrick crane. There were other patrols for tent erecting and ambulance. What with rally excitement and other happenings, 9th Dunedin Alohicans have been unable for tho past week or two to concentrate on Scout work. As a fitting climax for tho week-end festivities the Alohicans held a Scouts’ own on Sunday afternoon, when a large crowd, including representatives of the 4th Dunedin Girl Guide Company, was present. Unfortunately, this side of Scouting—-namely, the religions side—is very much neglected, but Sunday s parade showed that a little interest is taken. A full attendance is requested next Friday evening, both of Scouts and Cubs. Fourteen answered tlic roll call last Friday of tho 17th Dunedin Knox, and tho troop then took part in the march through the city. After this the North Dunedin, Ravensbourne, and Green Island troops assembled to have a run through the item for the rally. The same number attended on Saturday when the troop participated in the rally. CUBS. Even the fact that the school bazaar was being held on Friday night did not stop thirty-two Cubs of the St. Clair pack from coining into the jungle to meet at tho council rock. Akela told the pack about the rally to bo held on Saturday, and the pack spent the rest of the evening making arrangements for the following day. The pack roll is now complete, and Akela has had to form another six, with Jack Alorris as Sixer and Pearson Alalcolm as Second. Any Cubs who, through illness, etc., have been unable to get to the last few pack meets are asked to let Akela know when they are returning, so that he can make room lor them in their old sixes or in one of the new sixes. Twenty-eight Cubs attended the rally at Logan Park, when St. Clair had one of the s largest turn-outs on the ground. Tho park acquitted itself very well, and Akela was very pleased. Last Saturday was a groat day in tho history of the jungle log. Early in the afternoon tho boys of Knox pack left the dens for the great Logan jungle, where all the other families were met. After the troop’s part was over the bovs keenly watched the old wolves at their work. - Twenty-two welcomed Akela with the grand howl at the council rock. Bagheera then read a story about Niagara Falls and bow Alowgli was captured and taken prisoner. A good attendance of Alosgicl Cubs greeted Akela with a good grand howl hist Wednesday evening, when tho pack met. Rousing games wore followed with a practice of the Otago Yell and the grand howl. After further games the repeating of the Promise and a final grand howl tho pack silently dispersed.