SCOUT NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23560, 26 April 1940, Page 12

SCOUT NOTES

[By Whetu.]

Headquarters Notices. , April 26.—First class axemanship. May 3.—Pioneering. May 7.—Scouters’ meeting. May 15, 18.—Ambulance badge. May 18.—First class estimations. Cub Masters are reminded of their first Rock Council to be held in the North Dunedin Hall on April 30. This should be made known to all Scouters. A Sydney jamboree reunion will be held in May, and a meeting of all officers who were at Bradfield will be held at Scout headquarters on April 29, at 5.15. Polish Scouts’ Stubborn Resistance. Further reports from official Polish sources tell or the heroic work of Polish Scouts in September lakt in a desperate attempt to stem the path of the invaders. Scouts over the age of 17 joined tho army, and younger Scouts took up A.R.P. duties. Some troops enlisted as full A.R.P. units. Their duty was to signal the approach of enemy aircraft—a service which called for much courage and self-sacrifice, as the observation posts were often under enemy fire. Scouts, formed auxiliary brigades when fires broke out after incendiary bombs had been dropped. Losses among the civilian population were very heavy, and Scouts and Girl Guides did sterling work in first aid duty. Many of them perished when doing their job in first aid posts and Red Cross tents. In Warsaw Scouts and Guides carried hot soup into trenches, and the mayor (M. Stefan Starzynski) made a special broadcast detailing the fine work of Scouts and Guides in Warsaw. Other Scouts carried on vital services when men were called up. They acted as- postmen, telegraph operators, and message carriers on _ cycle and motor cycle. During the siege of Warsaw a Scout tr ( oop defended an outlet of a street leading into the city. A bomb destroyed a pillar holding tram wires, and a column of German tanks advanced. The Scouts succeeded in connecting the electric wires with a tank, setting many of them on fire and blocking the street until further help arrived. There was fine team work in all Scout troops and patrols, and much individual heroism.

Troop Reports. 2nd Dunedin (Mornington Huirapa). —Eighteen attended the weekly meeting, which commenced with an interpatrol outdoor game. After a game called “Spy” instruction was held, Scouts with second class taking badge and first class work, and the rest pioneering, at which Rover E. M'Laren was of great assistance. Te Rahirl. Troop.—lnspection was taken, followed by second class work. During this period a visit w,as paid by members of the committee, after which games were played. . 6th Dunedin (Mosgiel).—After the patrols’' special work Scout G. Brinsdon, of tho Bulldogs, was presented with his two. years’ service star. During the evening an inspection was taken, marks being allotted to each patrol, in which the Eagles were the winners. Several tests were taken with five boys from the Kangaroos, the standard of work reflecting credit upon P.L. Tweed, 9th Dunedin (Mohicans).—The Scouting : part of the evening began with fall-in and inspection. The patrol leaders then took over for tenderfoot and second class work. Already the new boys are well on their way towards being tenderfoots. A game .of sniper followed. , 29th Dunedin (Wesley).—Twelve answered S.M. Orchard’s call, part of the evening being devoted to_ splicing, lashings, and tenderfoot. Visitors during the evening were two Scouts from Ocean Beach Troop. 2nd Dunedin (Mornington) Rover Crew. —The weekly meeting commenced with flagbreak and prayer. Business was then attended to, after which the crew was split into groups to write articles for the monthly ‘Lone Scout Bulletin.’ The crew has been given the job of looking after Central Otago Lone Scouts, and at this meeting the first bulletin was made ready. After a game of handball the crew listened to a talk by Commissioner F. Holdorness, founder of the Mornington Troop 30 years ago; 13th Dunedin (North-east Valley).— For their thirteenth birthday Scouts and Cubs fell in, in horseshoe formation and circle respectively. One of the features of the programme was an apple-eating competition for Cubs and Scouts. This was followed by a jungle dance by the Cubs, and then some of tho Scouts put on a tumbling display which was well received, especially the dive through a burning hoop. Most of tho visitors joined in a game of musical apples, and then followed the “ Beauty Contest.” This was contested by five 6f the troop’s “ best beauties,” Commissioner Wing and S.M. Lomas (tho judges) deciding in favour of Ron Hastie. A game of pennies was played, the Scouts beating the Cubs by one point. After the ‘ Grand Old Duke of York ’ and another jungle dance— ‘ The Hunger Dance of Kaa.’ —Cubs, Scouts, and visiting Scoutors adjourned for supper. The birthday cake, given by the secretary (Mr Bastion) , was then cut by one of tho original Scouts of the troop. Commissioners Wing and Payton, and the chairman (Mr Nicholls) spdke a few words to the boys and parents. After Cubs and Scouts ( bad repeated their respective promises, a dance was held, the music being supplied by a band consisting of members of the troop and of the Christian Brothers’ Troop. All were pleased to have present members of the North-east Valley Girl Guide Company, the Boys’ Brigade Company, and representatives from other Scout groups.