BOY SCOUT NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 31 August 1929, Page 2

BOY SCOUT NOTES.

(By. “Soouter.”

HAWERA TROOP.

A good deal of regret will lie felt at the departure from JEDawera of Scoutmaster Daws. Mr Daws has- acted as Scoutmaster of the Hawera- troop for 12 months, and under his chatge the troop has- made considerable progress.

It is with great pleasure that “ Scout - er” learns or the intended visit of the intended visit of the Chief Scout, Loud Robert B a den-Powell, next year. It had been suggested -previously that aDominion jamboree should be held in Wellington in January’, 1931. It is anticipated that this jamboree will now be held during the Chief’s visit to New Zealand. Every effort should be made from now on for troops and scout-s- individually to- build up a. reserve fund in order that- alt will be ready. In this connection “Scooter” would refer to a method of financing a troop without recourse to special appeals. By securing the interest of several fanners who have boys in the troop, and! the necessary implements and teams to -plant potatoes. A troop of boys with a- team for discing and one for ploughing could put- down half an acre in a day. After planting a certain amount of discing is necessary, and later on a moulder is required. Otherwise little attention is needed until digging. “Scoute-r” commends this method as a more scout-like way of raising funds than by a direct appeal to the public. “Scout-air” oan supply further details- of this plan if any troop is interested.

KEEN OnSnat A LTON. To tliose who fiave studied- scouting tiiorougnly, the v-alue of the teaching o-i observation is apparent. Lord iiaaen-Poweli tells many stories to illustrate the value of observation, especially in war time. The- following is on e:—

in the Zulu War in South Africa in iB/9, a .small force- of Briti-sli troops was. surrounded and -besieged by* a. large army of Zulus at a place: called Et-showe. Penned in as they were- by enemies, it was very difficult to get communication with the- main British force in Natali, but it was eventually managed by getting friendly natives to carry dispatches through the Zulu lines. One day a native came- in to Etshowe with a letter lor the commanding officer from Natal, and while the officer was reading it and writing his reply- this native dispatch runner was -asking questions and looking everywhere. There, was another native in the- -place, one of the best sco-ut-s on the British side, who observed this. He went to the commanding officer and said:

“This man is not -a. dispatch runner, but a spy from the enemy.” The- Colonel was amazed, and asked, “How do you know?” The Scout replied: “This mail has oil on him.” It is the custom of the Zulus each day after they wash themselves to rub themselves over with oil. A dispatch runner going on -a long journey w-ould-_ arrive at liis desina-t-ion travel-stained and weary, and this man had- arrived oiled and fresh. The real dispatch runner had been probabl.v caught and, killed, and this man had carried on with: tile message, and had hoped to get all the- information of the British position. The spy was promptly arrested, andi the Zulus did not- get the information, all due to the observation of small details by one man.

SCOUTS AT FOOTBALL

The Eltham Scout team met the Manaia- Scout team at football on the Manaia ground on Thursday, and after a very fast, exciting game the home side managed to run out winners in an even and cleanly contested match, which: provided a. fine display of youthful vim and vigour. The visiting team can blame their defeat, to a strange ground and the deadly tackling of the home backs, for with this exception they’ were not outclassed in any other division. For Eltham, Townsend and Whiting played outstanding games, the former missing very few opponents, while the running of the latter was good. His two penalty kicks from the 25 -and at a- difficult, angle missed by the smallest margin. Vincent and Horrocks came next, being well in the picture. The visiting half was the smallest player on the ground, but got the ball away well and showed initiative. For the home team Kitt, Edwards, Payne, J. Dick and Russell were outstanding, Kitt potting a field goal within three minutes of the start and tackling every opponent who came near him. Dick at first five-eighth was very safe, as was Christie at fullback, while Edwards at half-back made a good many openings. The home forwards saw more than their share of the ball, and Edwards did not fail to make good use of these opportunities. Mr A. Ellrington, with the whistle, handled the game well.