SCOUT NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23093, 20 October 1938, Page 3

SCOUT NOTES

[By White Fang.]

OVERSEAS NEWS. Two young Australian Rover Scouts who had never been to sea, recently' left Sydney with a Polish Sea Scout, Wladyshavv Wagner, to sail round the world in a 50ft yawl They hope to reach Scotland in time to attend the World Rover Moot which is being held next year. The Roy Scouts of Ist North-west Rover Troop, Labrador, have another good turn motto, “ Keep them warm.” They 7 suggest this should be a motto of all Boy Scouts who want to do good turns during winter months. It means cut wood for invalids and for all people who cannot help themselves. In a .tiny log cabin on the outskirts of their village lives a young man who has been deformed for many years, but, in spite of his handicap, he went trapping during the winter. When he returned from the trapping grounds he became ill, and had to remain indoors alone. His supply of wood ran out, and he .suffered from cold and hunger. When the troop found this out, the boys decided to spend the day round his cabin cutting wood. They split thick branches and sawed and cut all through the day and piled up enough wood to keep the man warm for many a day. A Peter Pan of the Scout movement is Sir Lancelot Rolleston, county commissioner for the Nottinghamshire Boy' Scouts, who has recently celebrated his ninety-first birthday. Sir Lancelot has been scouting for 28 years, and is just as active as ever. Sixteen Chinese Boy Scouts and Girl Guidos gave up their comfortable homes in Singapore to serve in the first-aid squads and hospitals in the Chinese war zones. The only one who remains to relate the epic sacrifice is Ng Ghee Kqng, a hoy of 19. He is now lying in Hankow Military Hospital recovering from wounds and a fractured skull. In the party were nine boys and seven girls, all in their ’teens, mostly students in Singapore. They represented the cream of the overseas Chinese Smuts and Guides in Malaya. Most of them came from families of high standing. They forgot their own safety when things of greater importance were to be performed. ARE THERE ANY SCOUTS? This seems a strange question to ask in New Zealand. Yet there is a lot of truth m it. Recently, while travelling to Wellington, the writer had the unpleasant experience of failing to see one Scout badge during the 800 miles which were travelled. Scouts, are you proud of being a Scout? If you are then why notwear your Scout badge always. Do not be content wearing your tenderfoot badge once a week. Wear your buttonhole badge every day and all day. There should be 12,400 Scout badges being worn every day in New Zealand. See to it that you are not one of the defaulters. Why wear the Scout badge? "Firstly, to show that you belong to the Scout movement. Secondly, that other Scouts may know that you are a Scout, and can extend a welcome to yon. A strange Scout may he wandering around the streets of your town and by his badge you are able to recognise him and make friends with him. Be proud of your badge and wear it. ROVERS. Ocean Beach Hall presented a busy scene recently, the occasion being the official opening of the Ocean Beach Rover Crew. Standing in the centre ' of a horseshoe of Rovers, Mr F. C. Smith was invested as a Rover leader by the Rev. C. M. Sullivan, Commissioner for Rovers. Later four other squires signified their intention to carry on the great game of Scouting under the motto of “service” and were welcomed into the Brotherhood of Rovers. A large number of parents and members of the Group Committee were present besides Commissioners Wing and Ashman, Rover Leader It. B Smith, S. M. M’Callum, and a large number of the Mornington Rover Crew. A debate on ‘ The World is Growing Better ’ drew forth a large variety of points for and against to the interest and amusement of all present. Games and a sing-song brought the time -to supper during which oest wishes were extended to Rover 1. Rodgers, who is leaving to try his fortunes on the West Coast. LAWRENCE. The scouting activities of the month have been carried out besides pul ting in considerable time to learning the All Black haka under P. L. Boston, and then trying to regain oiir hoarse voices in the songs and stunts ot the ever-enjoyed camp fires. One evening the troop split in two and proceeded to Bcservoir Hill, where morse signalling was carried out with torches. Troop good deeds have not been overlooked one evening being devoted to carting wood in readiness for the primary school sports picnic. CLUTHA DISTRICT. The Owaka Troop paid a visit to the Tahakopa district to give demonstrations there of Scouting activities. A pleasant afternoon was spent, ’and judging by the interest taken, a troop wiU° soon he started in this district. Work has been begun on the memorial area in honour of the King’s Coronation. where, with the assistance of the committee, the work of beautifying and caring for this area will be a civic duty tor all Scouts. Balchitha Troop is working very hard, and there will soon be a wholesale demand for badge* From this troop. Clinton and Stirling Troops are progressing well and are well to the fore in their badge activity. DISTRICT PICNIC. All preparations are well in hand for this picnic, to be held in conjunction with the signalling, ambulance, and pioneering competitions, at Evansdale on November 12. A large turn out of parents, committee members, besides

the Cubs and Scouts, is expected. The Dnnback Troop will take part in the competitions. MORNINGTON. Camp arrangements have been well to the fore in the last two evening programmes. Sconter Dennison gave a yarn on the manufacture of chocolates, showing photos of the works in England, and referred to how the employees spent their leisure time. I. Young was presented with his badge on promotion to patrol leader. RAVENSBOURNE. Fifteen members lined up for inspection,- after which E. M'Ewan and D. Grant were welcomed as new members. Owls once again proved their superiority in the interpatrol competition. Arrangements were discussed for camping at Labour Day in the vicinity of Signal Hill. A pow-wow was held on the New Zealand jarnboree. OPOHO. The pack meetings have all been well attended with a steadily increasing roll. Three new chums have been welcomed to the meetings, while several are waiting to join next year. Several of the pack are getting their second star work brushed up in readiness for test day next month, while some are studying the various proficiency badges. KNOX. The hall being engaged, the trail was set for Bethune’s Gully, where wide games were much enjoyed, even although a bog is rather damp. The Bellbirds and Kiwis in a united effort managed to get their lighthouse going. Campfire proved very enjoyable in the real outdoor atmosphere. G.S.M. Gawler, of Melbourne, who was a welcome visitor, led the circle in a new campfire round. Final arrangements were completed for the Labour Day camp, when it is hoped to have about 12 under canvas. Nine members of the troop enjoyed the swimming hour on Saturday.