SCOUT NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 21286, 15 December 1932, Page 17

SCOUT NOTES

[By Geey Wolf.]

Owing to there being insufficient applications for the proposed Gijwell camp during the Christmas holidays, all arrangements are now cancelled. Those who have made application will have their deposit money returned in due course. Otago Central Scouters are reminded that the deputy camp chief will be in their district during the Christmas holidays, and is hoping to conduct a short training course at some central place. Further information will be furnished by their commissioner. Scouters who attended the recent district training course held over Labour Day may obtain their certificates from the metropolitan secretary. With the authority of Gihvell, the deputy camp chief now submits the following ruling:—“The term Scouter as a title or as a rank has unfortunately been so bruited about that altogether the wrong interpretation has been placed on it. ‘ Scouter ’ is not a rank. You do not say that a Scouter is in charge of a troop. Normally he is a Scoutmaster or he may bo a commissioner who when addressed will be styled ‘ Scoutmaster ’ So-and-so, or ‘ Commissioner ’ So-and-so. Assistant Scoutmasters are assistant Scoutmasters, district commissioners are district commissioners, and _so on. ‘ Scouter ’ is the scouting equivalent of ‘ officer,’ and as such is a collective term. For instance, we speak of the training of Scouters, or the Scouters’ meeting. A commissioner may address his meeting as ‘ Scouters . . .’ Where he refers to all collectively whether they be A.S.M.. D.S.M., or D.C., but each will receive his own title of Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmaster, or commissioner, as the case may be, if he be addressed personally or referred to individually. Again, it is correct to address a letter * Mr John Brown, Scoutmaster, _ Maori Hill ’; ‘ S.M. John Brown ’is incorrect. Similarly, a letter to a commissioner will be addressed ‘Mr .1. Smith, District (or Metropolitan) Commissioner, George street, Dunedin.’ ”

PARADES. On Friday last the Second Mornington Troop paraded. Items were arranged for the Christmas party, which was followed by the pioneering patrol carrying on under P.L.S. Heley. The rest of the troop practised hakas under Leaders Anderson and Rodgers. The troop then divided into two sections for tenderfoot and second class. Six boys passed the Scout pace, doing it in exactly twelve minutes. Two boys passed their first aid for the second ejass. The Pioneering Patrol has by this time completed trestles to support the stage for next Friday night. Scouts J. Patterson, M, M'Crerie, G. Brown, and S. Hepburn received their tenderfoot badges and Scout Ralston his second class. The St. Andrew Troop paraded on Friday night. Games and a haka practice made a very enjoyable evening. On Saturday the troop put on its Maori item at the artillery carnival. St. Clair Troop was also at the carnival, and put on a very good display, despite the boisterous weather. - Last Thursday evening the Central Group combined and entertained the parents. During the evening the group was visited by Com. Wing ■ and D.S.M.’s M‘Call urn and Cummings, Com. Wing presenting patrol leaders with the second-class badges. In the absence of the chairman, Mr Moffitt spoke to the boys and parents. Items were given by the Cubs on first star work, and Cub M'Arthur recited. The Scouts gave a camp fire. Supper was handed round by the ladies of the committee, after whicli Miss Ramsay gave an Irish jig. On Saturday the group proceeded over the hills, where Scouting games, tracking, and cooking were indulged in. R. Moss passed his tenderfoot.

Despite weather conditions during the week-end a Scouter and a Cubber of a local group took the opportunity of spending the week-end on a fishing expedition to Puketeraki. The rain did not dampen the spirits of the two concerned, who journeyed to the fishing grounds accompanied by a local resident. Fisherman’s luck accompanied two of the party, but Cubber was unfortunate in having his line snagged many times, losing a number of hooks and a valuable cast. However, the tenth Scout law was justly obeyed, and for three hours the party enjoyed sitting in the rain, having caught a dozen fair-sized fish.

The Christian Brothers troop paraded in the school hall on Monday evening, there being an attendance of twentynine boys. After inspection the patrols adjourned to their various corners and carried on with tenderfoot work under the leaders for a short time, followed by a game of football in the yard. This game continued until darkness fell, and on its completion the troop once more proceeded with work until 9 o'clock, when, after repeating the Scout promise, the troop dismissed. It is pleasing to report that fourteen of the inexperienced rrierhbers have been successful in gaining their tenderfoot badge, thus proving their keenness and ability to grasp what has been taught them. CUBS. Only Akela and Baloo were at the Council Rock to meet the St. Clair Pack on Friday night, Bagheera being ill. After the pack fell in Akela told the pack about a bunt that they were to have at Black Head next Saturday, and all the Cubs are looking forward to it eagerly. The pack then had some relay races and also some games of “Puff-Puffs” and “Good-morning.” After these were over the pack formed parade circle, and one of the new people, Douglas Coombs, was sworn in as a member of the pack, which gave him a rousing howl before scattering. PATROL LEADERS A few weeks ago, patrol leaders, I gave a talk on hiking. This week I intend to touch on different types of hikes. “ Nature study ” hikes require careful preparation. Try, if possible, to have an expert accompany the patrol on the hike. Note taking, observation and comparison, specimen collecting, sketching, and the camera are the usual methods of study. Try, if possible, to get a book on plant lire in New Zealand. A “compass” hike should be conducted entirely by compass. It can be combined with the map, night, storm, and exploration hikes. In a strictly compass hike the course should be carefully laid out in advance on paper. In “ map ” hikes, map reading should precede map making. The hike is made entirely by map, and preferably cross-country. Map reading along a straight road requires little skill. Map making hikes should be short, and careful notes should be taken. Later- on this bike can be supplemented by a camera. “ Signal ” hikes are conducted entirely by signals. Of course, signalling can be useful on any hike, but this particular _ kind of hike is one of specialisation. _ “ Night ” hikes are novel. The night world is so different from that of the day that the strangeness lends interest and romance to the hike. “ Storm ” hikes, of course, require special opportunity, and necessitate careful preparation. Learning to travel under adverse conditions happily

and safely is the important feature. “Adventure” hikes afford abundantopportunity to cultivate common sense and good judgment. The hikers maj separate into groups of two and come together at some prearranged place and time to exchange stories around the camp fire. This style of hike is specially useful in driving home the fact that life is full of interesting situations if we but look for them. The “exploration” hike is taken over country new to the Scouts. A cave, a mountain, or a lake furnishes interesting objectives. It should bo-as full of surprises as possible, and may be either across country or along back roads, trails, water courses, paths, or unusual routes. This type of hike often brings to light many little beauty spots or unusual points in nearby places. There are many other types of hikes, but that, I think, will keep many of you patrol leaders and your patrols busy for a long time. This will he the last of the series of articles for patrol leaders for this year, but they will start again in February next year. So far, there haves been no communications from patrol leaders and, if it is not too much trouble, I would like the opinion of patrol leaders on these articles. A note to “ Scouter,” headquarters, will find me.