Scout News and Notices

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 July 1937, Page 3

Scout News and Notices

Thought for the week: The cure for care lies, not in freedom from care, but in finding the things really worth earing for. —Anon. First Levin Troop. The usual weekly parade of the first Levin Troop of Bey Scouts on Thursday was an auspicious occasion for those taking part. There was a large attendance of local Scouts, while also present were ten Scouts from the Poxton Troop, under the charge of Scoutmaster Massey Better, together with Hover J. Macdonald from tin? same centre. Other visitors to the parade wore the chairman of the Levin committee, Dr. I. W. Fraser, and the Cub Mistress, Miss B. Blenkhorn. The earlier part of the evening was taken up with games of a competitive nature between the Levin and Foxton lads, the visitors showing marked superiority in such departments as ihc ‘'crocodile” race and a handball contest. After an interlude, of community singing, Scouter E. J. Street gave a demonstration of rope-spinning, and later entertained with a novel humorous anecdote. A sumptuous supper was then served.

The first King’s Scout badge to be awarded to a member of the Levin Troop was presented to Patrol-Leader W. Salmons, while a second-class badge was presented to Scout Des. Ransom.' Prior to the close of the evening tho Acting-Scoutmaster, Mr. F. J. Trim, briefly ,thanked the Foxton contingent for the enjoyment which their visit had supplied, Mr. Better suitably responding. Bottle Drive. The Levin Troop have arranged to conduct a bottle drive on Saturday, August 7th.

Wlxen the Brake Fails. Here is a hint which will prove use ful to the fixed-wheel cyclist if at any time w-hen riding downhill* his brakes should fail him. In travelling down the incline the machine, of course, rapidly gathers speed, and in pressing on the rising .pedals in an effort to check the pace, the rider is lifted off his saddle at each revolution, and is thus unable to check his speed. If, however, the cyclist grips tho back of the saddle -with the right hand the body is held down,- enabling the pedalling to continue and probably averting a nasty spill. This hint should first be tried on level ground. You will be surprised at the effectiveness of this method. Why Do We Become Giddy When Looking Down From a Height.

When we commence to climb any big height we always receive the warning: Don’t look down, or you ’ll become giddy and fall. Why? What is it that makes us turn giddy when we look down from a height? • 'There are two explanations. In the first place, the working of the brain may be upset by the fear of falling. This would at once cause giddiness, for our sense of balance or the conviction that we can remain in a state of bah ance, depends upon the proper working of the brain.

The. other explanation concerns our sight. Although wo. can balance with our eyes closed, vision is a necessary part of perfect balance. If, therefore, our eyes play us tricks, giddiness is bound to follow—and when we look down from any height our eyes do play some very funny tricks! But everyone does not turn giddy when looking down from a height, and if we have good health we can soon learn by practice to overcome the feeling of giddiness. The Staff an Essential.

These hints haA r e been gained from experience of scouting in New Zealand and are not a second-hand version of overseas ideas. Before you start on a tramp or hike several things should be taken into consideration, and I propose to deal with that much-despised article among Scouts, “the staff.” If you look in the regulations you will find that it is part of the uniform, and when it was included the Chief knew what he was doing. In “Scouting for Boys” the main uses given are for keeping off mad dogs, beeping crowds back, and several more such. Personally, I have yet to see a mad dog and I have rarely heard of occasions in New Zealand when it was necessary to keep back a crowd, so I think we can forget these reasons. 1 honestly think a Scout a fool who goes on a hike without a staff. That is the reason for this article.

As you know, most of our local hunting grounds are largely hills and creeks. Well, then, the easier way to cross a creek is to jump it with a pole. If it is very wide you can hop across on the boulders and steady yourself with the staff. Then think of the hills in summer, when the grass is dry. Most Scouts cannot afford proper tramping boots with spikes and if you try tramping with ordinary soles it isn’t long before your feet start slipping. I’ve been caught myself in that way without a pole. You will find that your staff will also help you along on the flat. When in camp tie two pieces of string to the ridge-pole of the tent and tie • the staff to them; you can thus hang yonr uniform and avoid getting it , creased. There are dozens of different uses

for the staff, so when you go out take it with you. Don’t be afraid of chaff about “broomstick warriors.” The staffs are a necessary part of Scouting and not just an ornament.