SCOUT NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22350, 28 May 1936, Page 17

SCOUT NOTES

fl!y Grey Wolf.] KING’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS. The Roy Scouts’ Association lias been invited by the mayor to take part in a civic function to be held at' the Town Hall on June 23, at 11.15. Preliminary arrangements have been made, and all Rovers, Scouts, and Cubs are to meet at the Queen’s Gardens at 10.30, and proceed thereafter to the Town Hall, under charge of Metropolitan Staif Officer Moore. EXAMINATIONS. Ambulance badge and re-exam., H.Q., May 30, 7.30 p.m.; pathfinder badge. H.Q., June 10, 8 p.m.; cook, June 13, 2 p.m.; rescuer. Public Baths, May 30, G p.m. All entries to be sent in to the metro, sec. prior to the exam. COMMISSIONER BORRIE. Metro. Commissioner Borric met the members of the Metropolitan District Committee and the staff and district officers at an informal meeting at headquarters last Thursday evening. The commissioner has a likeable and forceltd personality, and it is anticipated that great progress will bo made in the movement once he actively takes over control. Unfortunately he will not be taking up residence here for some little time yet, and the present flying visit was only for the purpose of establishing contact. In the course of his talk the commissioner outlined Scouting and Rovering activities in the north, and stressed the necessity of Rover crews and the good work they could do to improve the standard of Scouting. The first function which he will likely be able to attend will be the hobbies’ exhibition, and he has asked that everyone “ carry on ” and organise to make this event an outstanding one. as it is one of the few occasions when the benefits of Scouting may be . prominently’ brought before the public. TROOP REPORTS. Ist Dunedin (Roslyn) Troop had, owing to the holidays, a very small muster of Scouts, and this was unfortunate as members of the Rotary Club paid a visit. However, the facts being explained to tliem they graciously agreed to visit the troop again in a fortnight. 'The troop is now fairly well stalled with officers, and should do very well under G.S.M. Ashby and S.M. Glasson. Patrol work was done for the most of the evening, with a lew games interspersed to keep the Scouts warm. Arrangements were made for the troop to go “cone crashing” on the Saturday afternoon. 2nd Dunedin (Morniugton) Troop.— On Friday night, after fiag break, a relay game was held, also a practice of the Dominion haka. The arrival of two members of the Rotary Club was heralded by the haka. Mr Cameron spoke for a few minutes on Scouting. Metro, Commissioner Borrie, Commissioner Wing, D.S.M. Black, Mr Laing, and Air Poviene arrived, and the metropolitan commissioner inspected the troop and talked on Scouting in general. After a game of British bulldog a campfire was held. In a few weeks a monthly magazine named the ‘ Kia Ora ' will be published, and a good demand for copies is anticipated. sth Dunedin (Ocean Beach) Troop had a visit of Rotary Club members for a-quartcr of an hour. It also had a pleasant surprise to find the chairman of the committee (Mr Todd) present. Three of the patrols combined in making a trestle bridge. Second Oibbs fell off it at a given signal, an ambulance call was made, and the Rams, under P.L. Swanson, soon put matters right by tying him up in bandages. Three new games were tried, one being a memory test. Work was then resumed, and several tests were carried out. After inspection and the Scout law the troop dismissed after an enjoyable meeting. Gth Dunedin (Mosgiel) Troop mot, and although it was school holidays there were a good many Scouts present. Most of the time was spent preparing for the concert to-night. s)th Dunedin Mohicans (All Saints) Troop.—There was practically a full muster last Friday, and two new members were welcomed. After the opening prayer and inspection, P.L. Coster instructed those going for their second class in .tracking practice, while Scooter Markham revised the flag, the salutes, and two knots ready for a tenderfoot test for those who have not passed in the above subjects. At 7.30 the troop reassembled, and Scout Maitland and Tenderfoot Donaldson were sent out to lay a chalk trail. Five minutes later the troop was in full cry after them, and lollowed a very welllaid trail to Logan Park. There a letter was found, and the trail picked up again further on, only to be lost again twice before finding the “ I have gone homo ” sign. Care was taken to rub out all chalk marks as the trail was followed. After a short game of Slippery Jim the troop dismissed. 17th Dunedin (Knox) Troop had a parade of 25, and went for a run round the Town Belt. On the home journey the troop divided into a fast and slow pack, and made a good pace back to the ball. Patrol leaders took charge for toy-mending, signalling, and knots. Tcniquoit and mat tumbling made a good close to the evening. Last Tuesday week Sconter and six Scouts went on'a tramp to Flagstaff. After a steady climb to the top sausages and potatoes made a good dinner. Later they crossed the back of Flagstaff and returned via Halfway Bush. On Wednesday the Court of Honour decided to have a night out. Seven assembled at the Octagon and adjourned to the Regent Theatre. After a good programme. troop matters were discussed between the sips of a milk shake on the homeward journey. 27th (Dunedin) Kensington Troop.— There was a good attendance at the last meeting. After (lag break P.L. Swanson took first aid. The Rotary Club attended the meeting, and the programme was devoted to games. The first game was band Soccer. The Tin’s beat Hie Bellbirds by 3 to 1, and the Cuckoos were defeated by the ■visitors by 4 to 3 alter a close game. After a

short talk by one of the Rotarians the troop gave its haka of welcome, ami was dismissed for another week. Visitors during the evening were Scouter Benson, St. Andrew’s, and Senator Clark, Caversham, A.S.M. Still, and T.L. Cooper, of North-east Valley. - ... 1 ! . Terra Nova Soa scouts paraded at two bolls, second dog watch. Before settling down to the work of the evening the company went for a run round the Bench road. On assembling again the Rev. J. Sands presented the cooks badges to Bosun Buchanan and Fraser, and the journalist badge to Bosun Fraser. After the watch had been changed the mate took the recruits for sea Scout work, and the rest of the company learned signalling, compass, lead and line At 8 hells there was a break, and the first mate (Mr A. Wade) presented to the company a handsome shield for interwatch competition in such things as general efficiency. The skipper thanked the mate on behalf of the company. Work then proceeded until one bell, first watch, when the mate took charge, and after a game entertained the boys with an extremely interesting yarn. Visitors to the company wore Messrs G. W. Overton (Port Bowen), G. Clark (Sydney Star), who are sea Scouts from Southampton, and F. England (Port Bowen), an ex-hoys’ brigadesraan of London. Also welcomed wore two members of the 4th North Dunedin Troop. During the week a working party under Bosun Fraser bailed out and washed down the two boats (Sussex and 1 Lanricr) in the water. Some of the _ ratings busied themselves with the gig Durham, and the inside of the hbat shed. It is hoped to have all these boats under cover for the rest of the winter. ROVERS. Ist (Dunedin) Rovers.—The parade on Friday evening was attended by a full muster of Rovers of the crew, as well as visitors from Anderson’s Bay, Ocean Beach, Mornington, and University Rovers. Commissioner Wing and several members of the St. Andrew’s Committee wore also in attendance. The new metropolitan commissioner, Dr Bovrie paid a surprise visit and discussed rovering in all its phases with those present. WOLF CUB PACKS. Ist (Dunedin) Roslyn Leopard ” Pack had a field day to the Wax Vesta Company at Caversham. Upon arrival the pack was taken in charge by a young lady, who went to a lot of trouble to explain all the intricacies of making what to the Wolf Cubs is a simple match. After a very; interesting hour Akela and the Sixers signed the visitors’ hook and thanked the guide for her kindness. After a tram ride the pack proceeded to the jungle, where some skipping was done, a few knots were practised, and then the pack settled down to listen to a “ good turn tale, after which voices were raised in song. On Saturday Sixer Neil Whales passed his collector’s badge. 4th North Dunedin Wolf Cub Pack ran in the jungle 12 strong. An exciting onion trail leading from a nearby Chinese greengrocer to Princes street, and up Dowling street and down Battray street, where the pack was run to earth sheltering in a gateway, was held. Arriving back at the jungle, the pack welcomed Metropolitan Commissioner Boride and Commissioner Wing with a rousing grand howl. The metropolitan commissioner gave a enhhy talk, which the old wolves hope the little wolves will remember. Games of “ identities ” and poor pussy finished a very enjoyable sojourn in the jungle. 6th (Dunedin) Mosgie! Pack met at round the Council Rock, and much time was spent practising various jungle dances for the concert. All the pack were working well, and after a game or two “tawny fur ” accepted the totem pole from Akela on behalf of the pack. 17th (Dunedin) Knox Pack.—Holidays claimed a number of Cubs on Friday, but the 11 who answered tho call to'the jungle made up in enthusiasm for the absent ones. After a game of “ no man’s ball ” the hall had to be kept oft the three Cobbers. A low tackle proved the most successful way of holding our own. The pack then split up, and star work was the main item on the programme. Sixer Harris passed his first star, and T. Gibson passed his temlerpad. The chairman of the committee was present during the evening. TROOP HIKE. A party comprising the Soon tors and the senior Scouts of the Mornington Troop, a patrol leader from St. Clair, and a visitor from Wakatipu set oft by the Otago Central train for Taioma. the point of departure for a throe days’ hike-into the Silver Peaks country. Fine weather made the trip very enjoyable, and with Nature studies and a eanlpfire the trip was instructive and jolly. Places halted at were boulder hut. the nulpit. green peak, and swampy. The party returned feeling that the event abundantly justified the rather risky idea of a troop hike in May. WOLF CUB TRAIL. Wolf Cubs of the Ist Roslyn, 4th North Dunedin, and Mohican Packs met at Maori Hill recently to take the trail to Passmores. Upon arrival a lobster hunt and games of Zulus and British bulldog kept the pack on the run until it was time to light the fire. A campfire was enjoyed, and the hills echoed with songs of the packs, and after a final game of hide and seek the packs wended their way homewards.