SCOUT NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 21966, 28 February 1935, Page 16

SCOUT NOTES

[By Gbey Wonr-J These notes are published weekly on Thursday. All reports, etc., should be addressed to “ Grey Wolf ” and left in the letter box at headquarters or posted to P.O. Box 75, Dunedin, to arrive not later than noon of previous Saturday. LORD BADEN-POWELL. Perhaps we all do not realise quite enough that Lord Baden-Powell, great : man that he is, finds time to do all the little kindly services that he encourages his Scouts to do for each other. He is intensely kindly and human, as this little story will show. To England in 1929 some 200 Australian Scouts journeyed to the great Birthday Jamboree at Arrowe. There were thousands of overseas visitors, but the Chief Scout and Lady _ BadenPowell kept open house at their home at “Pax Hill,” at Bently, in Hampshire, and many enjoyed their hospitalitj’. One of these who spent a delightful week-end with the Chief in his home, in the course of conversation, mentioned that a small party of six Australians would be passing that way on a private motor tour after the Jamboree. “ Then they must stay the nigh.t with me,” immediately said the Chief. “ Nonsense, they couldn’t possibly presume so much on your kindness; but they’d love to call on you in passing.” “Don’t let them dare to pass my door without calling,” smiled the Chief, and it was left a t that. Later they were reminded that the Chief expected them to call. Wouldn’t any Scout be thrilled at the prospect? Owing to a _ party of foreign Scout Leaders arriving unexpectedly on the day the Australian party were due, the Chief had to give up the rooms he had prepared for the Australians. With his own hands the dear old Chief had pitched his own Jamboree tent on the front lawn, and what a beautiful tent it was. Having been especially made for his use at Arrowe, it was furnished with a bed, skin rug on the floor, and all necessary appointments, and would the Scouter mind sleeping in the “Jam Roll?” This was the camping caravan which had just been presented to the Chief by the Scouts of the world, and because it was made by the Rolls-Royce firm and presented at the Jamboree it had been so named. Would he mind. What do you think yourselves? , The others making up the party had been similarly provided for, and so the party spent a never-to-be-forgotten night at “ Pax Hill.” The Chief himself showed them all the treasures of his house and garden with the simple friendliness of one Scout to another. “ Como in here,” he chuckled at one door. “ It’s room in the house where I can get a little peace, and where I ani allowed to do as I like.” and into the Chief’s own den they went. That room is one to make a Scout catch his breath, especially if he had read Scout literature, for hanging on the walls and spread around are the originals of the sketches that are so familiar. The Chief does all his own j illustrating, and, by the way, he works with both hands. After a happy, chummy evening in Lady Baden- : Powell’s drawing room the party resumed their journey full of gratitude for the simple friendliness of the World Chief Scout and his _ gracious lady. They do not preach friendliness to the stranger who comes to them; they practise it. TROOP REPORT. The 10th Dunedin-Green Island Troop hold the second parade for the year in the Kirkland Hall on Friday night, fourteen members being.present, including one new recruit. After inspection by G.S.M. Murio the troop was divided into sections, Scouters Thomson and Trower and Troop Leader Thomson having those who had to compete the tenderfoot, taking the law promise and knots. The section under Scouter Murie drew out a syllabus on first class work for the next two months. Instructions were issued to obtain manuka toi the stockade for the Maori pa in connection with the visit of the chief. A court of honour meeting was held at the of the troop meeting, and matters with regard to the welfare of the troop were discussed, the points to be awarded for the interpatrol shield are for attendance, punctuality, discipline, and dress. TUG-OF-WAR-ST. GEORGE CUPS. The attention of groups is drawn to' the fact that a meeting of delegates will be held at headquarters next Wednesday, at _ 8 p.m. to discuss matters in connection with future tug-of-war contests. Groups are asked to be sure and send along a representative, so that matters can be fully discussed to the best advantage of troops generally. Further particulars can be had on phoning P. J. Wilson, 12-063. BOY SCOUT FINANCE. It was interesting to read in the Press that in Canada a drive organised by the Governor-General had been conducted on behalf of the Boy Scouts with a view to collecting 250,000d01. Scouts in New Zealand, when they read of the great sums subscribed elsewhere on behalf of the movement, cannot help feeling somewhat envious. In England the Boy Scouts form a corporation, and more than £70,000 is invested in various gilt-edged securities. They have a permanent camping ground, which is known as Giilwell Park, completely fitted up for ail those who wish to go through courses of training. In Australia the New South Wales Government voted £IO,OOO for the Scout movement and provided a large area of land, known as Pennant Hills, for a permanent camp. In America the public subscribe freely to the Scout funds. In Los Angeles alone the community fund contributes 50,000d0l a year.