SCOUT NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22683, 24 June 1937, Page 17

SCOUT NOTES

[By “ White Fang.”]

U PATROL LEADERS. There may ho many types of patrol leaders, hut when you get down to rock bottom you find only two classes, that is, either good or bad patrol leaders. Now there is only ono class for yon, that is among tho good leaders. In the first place a patrol leader must b© keen. By that I mean having tho interest of your patrol and troop at heart. The leader must be efficient, that is, up to tho mark in all his tests that ho has passed, and must also have a good all-round knowledge of practical Scouting. This is absolutely essential if your patrol is going to get anywhere. This means that you must put in extra practice at tho different tests, and it is worth it if it is going to improve your patrol. As a member of the court of honour, he will have a say in tho formation of the troop programme. He should keep a log having records of each member of tho patrol, so that he can help to select a programme most suitable for his fellows. A troop or patrol without a programme is like a ship without sails; it does not get anywhere. He should prepare a programme and take it to the court of honour, and there submit it for their approval. If he works on the assumption that the troop programme is in 20-minuto spells he will know how to select and apply his material. He should get his patrol out on Saturday afternoons for practical Scouting. If the Scouter plans any stunts, he should hack him up strongly. Many of the fellows arc reading this, and so to them I should say back your Scouter and patrol leader. Remember the golden rule; when there is a Saturday outing planned do not dodge it, but be there on time. 'The same applies to troop meetings. Learn all you can, and do your best to he real Scouts. COOK BADGE. Owing to excessive rain during the week it was necessary to postpone the cooking test. At the time of writing these notes another date had not been settled, but an inquiry at headquarters on Friday will give something definite. We hope to have a good entry for this work. ROVERS. The Rover meeting on Saturday was in the hands of the Christian Brothers Patrol as far as the programme was concerned. Kim’s game was introduced in the form of a sound test. Rovers were then called upon to give their decision on several law cases which had recently received attention. However, it was soon seen that the judges were more skilled in their decisions than tho average Rover. The principal visitor for the evening was Mr Davidson, who gave a very interesting yarn on activities in Palestine. Next fortnightly meeting has been arranged to be held at St. Andrew’s den at C, while Rovers are asked to read over the first chapter of ‘ Revering To Success,’ as this is coming up for discussion. So far the attendance at the Rover meetings has been very encouraging, but there are still a number of troops in the district that have not got a Rover patrol attached. It is not the intention of the crew to take away Scouts who are actively connected in the troop. It wants the ones who have just left because they are tired of scouting and want something more adapted to their interest and age. When you are 17 or 18 and think you are too big for the Scouts, just drop

along to the Rovers. They will show you that Scouting ran live ou long after you have got to this age. You might ask what are Rovers? Well, that is a hard question to answer in a few words, but they are just a group of chaps moulded into a brotherhood for fellowship and service. Como along and see what they are like. If you then find yon do not like them, well, say so, hut I don’t think you will get that far, for you aro sure to .like the cheery grin that meets you at the door. MOHICANS ELEVEN YEARS OLD. Last Friday tho troop and pack celebrated their eleventh year of Scouting. The evening was devoted to games and individual items by several of the Scouts and Cubs. A large attendance of parents and friends joined in_ a good round of the old favourite, ‘ Grand Old Duke of York.’ _ A song by Scout Pollock, recitation by Scout Larson, Maori songs by Scout Aitken, and mouth-organ solo by Cub Brown t were all much appreciated. Commissioner Wing congratulated the committee and officers on the fine work carried out during the past year and tho good progress that had been made despite the fact that several changes had been made as far as the officers were concerned. After supper the cake was cut by Scout M'Gregor, the youngest Scout in the troop. It was very pleasing to see members of the other group committees present besides tho district officers and officers from other troops and packs. The annual report, which was presented to a meeting on the previous evening, showed that the troop had increased in numbers but that the pack had lost in numbers. The Rev. Mr Harbour and Mr F. Hay were reelected to tho positions of chairman and secretary respectively. The archdeacon, who was also present, expressed his pleasure at the progress made by the Scouts. Scout headquarters were represented by Commisioners Wing and Ashman. HAND SOCCER, TOURNAMENT. A peep into tho North Dunedin Hall on Friday bight would have shown the place to bo filled with about 70 Scouts and officers. The North Dunedin Troop had invited the North-east Valley, Opoho, and Knox Troops to participate in a hand Soccer tournament. The evening proved a most successful one, and a very fine spirit was shown" in all the games, which were marked by their evenness and keenness. In the first draw the North Dunedin team played Knox, the game being won by the latter team. Opoho then played North-east Valley, and although smaller in size, put up very good fight. Keen enthusiasm greeted tho North-east Valley and Knox teams as they took the field to play off the final. When time was called the score stood at ono all. In the extended time everyone put their full energy into the game, but the Knox team came out winners by one point. It is hoped in tho near future to hold another of these enjoyable evenings. v REPORTS. Roslyn—The troop is going ahead by leaps and bounds with new recruits appearing at each parade. The Scouts aro now working hard for their twenty-eighth birthday, and the committee and officers hope that officers of other groups will their invi-. tation to attend the special evening on Saturday. As the group Scouter is on leave at present, the troop is in the hands of the Rover Patrol, which was recently formed. It is gratifying to note that owing to the training these Scouts have had during the last 18 months they are able to carry on in an emergency. Congratulations are offered to lan Scott, who gained his King’s Scout Badge. The Leopards reported 28 strong on Thursday, and after some warming games, settled down to first and second star work. R. Sinclair, I. Scott, and G. Anderson were all successful in gaining their homecraft badge. Several have now completed two years with the pack and will receive their stars on Saturday night. The Panther Pack had 14 in the jungle on Tuesday. After some relay races tho Cubs retired to their lairs and settled down to work. P. Sparrow, N. Walker, and J. Donaldson were welcomed into the great brotherhood of Scouting, while William Ewing was invested as a twostar Cub. All then gathered round the council rock while Akela told a story. Mosgiel.—A good muster rallied round, when the evening was devoted to badge work. Tho new recruits were busy on tenderfoot work, while the remainder delved into first and secohdclass instruction. During the evening a visit was received from Mr Nelson, of tho Timaru Rover Crew, who took the first class Scouts for some instruction in ambulance badge work. Anderson’s Bas'. —A large muster foil in at the Scouter’s whistle. The first part of the evening was devoted to second class work. A discussion then took place regarding work for the hobbies exhibition, rough entries were taken, and programmes distributed. It was announced that the committee had decided to hold a concert shortly, so a run through tho programme was then held. The Beaumont Memorial Cup was claimed by four Scouts, as N. M'Kenzie, J. Usher, T. Simpson, and A. Duffy had all tied in their marks. North-east Valley.—Ten Cubs answered the jungle call on Friday, when an intersix competition in first star work was held. At tho going-up ceremony the troop bade farewell to N. Semple and W. Kinnaird, who have completed their jungle knowledge and are passing on to learn the law or the Scout forest. Several parents and members of the committee were welcomed to the pack meeting, and were impressed by the ceremony. Wesley.—Numbers were not quite up to the mark, but work went ahead just as usual. Two hakas were put under way in readiness for the annual social in "July. Scout pace was then hold, but this showed that more practice was needed in judging time and sliced. Cubber Ashby was a welcome visitor and took the boys for a new Sa Ocean Beach.—A good muster erected the Scouter’s call. No sooner had tho troop fallen in than Commissioner Wing, D.S.M. M‘Jndoe, and Commissioner Ashman arrived to take tho metropolitan inspection. Commissioner Wing spoke a few words to the troop, encouraging it in the good work being carried out. Later the troop put in some solid practice for its forthcoming concert.