SCOUT NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22066, 27 June 1935, Page 14

SCOUT NOTES

[By Gbbt Wolf.]

NORTH DISTRICT. A second star examination for North District Cubs will be held at headquarters on the first Friday in July, at 7 p.m. Further examinations will be held on the first Fridays in September and November. On June 8, a patrol leaders’ evening was held at the Y.M.C.A., and 18 patrol leaders were present, representing St; Clair, North Dunedin, St. Martin’s, and Christian Brothers’ Troops. Commissioners Martin and Andrews were also present. After tea, Mr J. L. Passmore was presented with a thanks badge to signify the Scouts’ gratitude for all his “ good turns.” Mr Passmore then gave a very interesting demonstration in the use of the prismatic compass and in advanced compass work generally. This is to be followed by a practical demonstration in field work later in the spring. A brief discussion was held by the patrol leaders on the difficulties they had encountered in running their patrols, and several interesting practical points were made. The evening terminated with a camp fire, at which a number of new songs were tried out, and several old ones practised, aided very greatly by the ‘‘ band,” composed of Scooter Lomas and his friend. The pioneering competition was held last week, but so far tho official results have not been received.

The writer intends paying a round of visits to all troops and packs just to get a further insight into the game of Scouting. A very interesting time was spent with the Knox group last Friday. TROOP AND PACK REPORTS--Ist Dunedin (Roslyn) Troop.—The troop and pack are reminded that the jubilee photograph is to be taken on June 30, All uniforms should be in good order. A damp cloth and a hot iron will do wonders with the Scout hat. The troop paraded as usual, when 17 Scouts were present. Work and inspection in patrol corners filled in the first half-hour. After instruction in tenderfoot and first and second class ambulance, games were played. After dismissal a court of honour for, patrol leaders and seconds was held. The senior Cubs continue to meet every Thursday evening at 7, in the Coronation Hall, Maori Hill, and are reminded that second star examinations will be held on July 5. The junior pack is now firmly established, and meets cycry Wednesday in the Roslyn Institute Hall, at 4 p.m. After instruction in the grand howl and Cub law and promise, a sing-song was held, followed by several games to keep the blood circulating, a ghost story and taps concluding the parade, and everyone scampered off from the jungle into the outer world and home.

4th North Dunedin.—The troop fell in under the whistle of Scouter Beauchamp, and began the evening with a fast bout of hand Soccer, which ended in a draw. After inspection, in which the Boar Patrol gained full marks, patrol work in the corners commenced. A talk was given on astronomy and the prismatic compass by the A.S.M. Mr Solomon (badge instructor) is coaching tenderfoots for their second class signalling. It is pleasing to note that they are progressing very satisfactorily, J. Hunt being exceptionally well advanced. Before dismissal Second J. Driver and Scouts M. Davidson and W. Reeves were presented with their handyman's badge. W. Reeves and M. Kirk also received service stars. During the evening several members of the committee visted the troop, and were very interested in watching the various patrols at work. 10th Dundin (Green Island). —There were, 16 Scouts on parade on Friday, when inspection was taken by Scouter Trower. About 8 o’clock the troop was visited by the judges of the metropolitan competition, who inspected and examined the various patrols. 13tb Dunedin (St. Martin’s)—The parade of this troop was smaller than usual owing to sickness and the_ Technical School concert. The evening began with a game of blindfold stepping, following which a sketch map was given to each patrol for 45 seconds to memorise. For the benefit of recruits and to brush up the memories of the older hands the dominion haka was run through two or three times before the leaders took over for ambulance work and games. After the sketch ■maps had been redrawn from memory a general game of pennies to circle followed by the giving out of first-class cards and a short yarn on first-class subjects brought the evening to a close. During the evening all boys were weighed. Instruction classes were announced as follow : —Fireman’s badge, Tuesday evening; axemanship, Saturday afternoon. Uth St. Andrew Troop.—After a hard, and at times slightly rough, game of hand Soccer, the Kiwis _ plus Scout Longstaff and Scouter Mitchell beat the Bulldogs plus Scouter Paape, of Kensington, 3-0. One new member, Duncan MacGregor, -was introduced. The troop was then taken for a new observation game, in which an envelope is placed in front of each patrol 'one at a time), and the boys had to remember all they saw on it. A first class test was then taken. This test was the calculating distances and heights. It was done very well by the Scouts, as all the members of the troop were correct — that is, within 10 per cent, each way. The rest of the evening was spent in games. . The Scouts are reminded of the programme for next week, which is entertaining the Cubs. 27th Dunedin, Kensington._ Last parade night D.C., Andrews visited the troop, and spent the greater part of the evening with the Scouts. After inspection he' said a few words to the boys, commenting very favourably on their neat appearance and keenness, and expressed the hope that the troop would put in a large number of entries for the coming hobbies and handicrafts exhiliition. The next few minutes were spent in preparing rope for lashings, when back-splicing and whipping were explained, and used by all. Later in the evening an investiture war, held, when Colin Gaudin and Jack Stedman were admitted into the brotherhood. The troop was very pleased to welcome a new member in Gny Powell, who is very keen. Before parade Second T. Baird suffered a painful accident when he had two fingers crushed under an iron grating. However, after they had been attended to he was able to return to parade and carry on as usual. The greater part of the evening was devoted to practice for the coming tug-of-war competition, in which the troop intends to enter two teams. The committee men had been good enough to rig up a board in the hall so that the boys might practise under favDurable conditions, and they are thanked for their interest so practically displayed. During the evening Arthur Sonter was successful in passing his compass work for second class badge, and is now keen to get to work on the remaining subjects to complete this badge. Several of the Scouts went out with the scouter during the week to

get manuka suitable for pioneering work, so that the troop will be able to begin pioneering work immediately. 17th Dunedin, Knox Group.—There were 19 Scouts on parade on Friday. After inspection and marks the patrol leaders took charge. The Stags practised fractures for their ambulance, while the Kiwis were on map and star work. The Owls and Hawks were busy with signalling. In the patrol animal competition Second Sloan was first, with P.L. Aldred second. The scouter remarked that few of the essays had any scouting reference. The banner competition is very close, with the Stags leading from the Owls by a small margin. Next Friday Has been set aside for the annual birthday, and it is hoped there will be a large attendance of parents. During the evening the troop was pleased to see Messrs Dawson and Knowles from the committee, also Mr and Mrs Dickison, from Roslyn. The Hospital Patrol is very keen, and the boys thoroughly enjoy their work, although they do not have the opportunity of running about. There was a great muster of Cubs, 22 in number, to welcome Akela, and their loud yells showed that each little animal was enjoying himself. After a good game to get warm, sixes were formed in order to learn much jungle lore.from the old Wolves about the star tests. After the grand howl and Lord’s Prayer the Cubs scampered out of the jungle for home. 28th Dunedin, Christian Brothers.— Recently members of the Rotary Club came to the Scout Hall, and Mr J. L. Salmond, the president, presented the troop with the swimming trophy. The president congratulated the troop on its achievement, and pointed out that swimming, besides being a healthy sport, was doubly useful as a method of saving life. The president of the St. Clair Life Saving Club also said a few words, remarking how pleased he was to see swimming taken up by the boys, as it was an essential quality in a life saver. A vote of thanks was tendered by Scoutmaster Smith. Three cheers were given by the members, the boys responding with the > troop haka. The pioneering competition was held at the Passmore camp site, three teams competing for the cup—namely, Anderson’s Bay,' Christian Brothers A and B. Two boys were enrolled as Scouts, receiving their hats, staves, and tenderfoot badges.

Troops are reminded that the ambulance examination will be held on July