Scout Notes

Hutt News, Volume 11, Issue 10, 11 August 1937, Page 5

Scout Notes

(By "Kamahi.") I was given an opportunity to read some of the more intimate letters of of our three "globe-trotters" (Scarlet Feather, Neewa and White Elk) recently, a privilege I greatly appreciated.' These were weekly letters to this Scouter's family, and they- were most interesting. All the way actoss to America they got into touch- with 8?-r: > wherever they touched, 'and! ■ . - received most hospitably, as We jiJicw they would be. On arrival atWashington, where the American jamboree was held, they found that they were the first of the great concourse of Scouts who were to come from other countries. They were interviewed by persistent reporters and photographed in .every possible attitude, in true American fashion. Huge headlines in the papers proclaimed their arrival "from the ends of the earth." They raised the New Zealand Ensign which our Dominion Headquarters . supplied, and the newspaper picture showed them in the act of saluting as the flag was broken out. They arc now in Holland, at the World jamboree there, where, so we informed, 8000 Scouts left England in eight ships, bound for the jamboree. And that 8,000 is only a fraction of the enormous number of lads of every nation who will be gathered there to show the world the might and influence for good which Scouting has, and to fraternise and form lasting friendships which will (bear fruit when these boys are men, and take their part in their nation's share of the responsibility of preserving world peace and understanding. I have been wanting for some time to open out and discuss withyou chaps a few of our irregularities in Scout kit. We have been given a uniform which' is regarded as an ideal one from the point o,f view of health, and which is smart enough for our King and,prominent .men in every country to wear and feel well turnedi-out. It owes its origin to B.P. 's famous South African Constabulary, a splendid body of men, equal only to the Royal Northwest Mounted Police. Their outfit, with several modifications and alterations, was proved to be the best dress for any weather and most climates, and as we Scouts don't let the vagaries of weather interfere with out activities, we could do no better than to adopt this business-like outfit as our own. And so we learn to respect our kit, the shortsleeved shirt, and shorts, for comfort, convenience an : di freedom, the broadbrimmed hat for shelter from sun and rain, shoes and stockings easily removable i,n cases of emergency, and the staff, the emblem of woodcraft, with a hundred uses. There are also misuses, but I hope you are not an offender in this respect. If you carry a staff, as all Scouts should do on all appropriate occasions, you will find out the uses for yourself. The rest of the kit, besides being useful, has a certain symbolism, or traditional meaning. The triangular scarf, bearing the Group colours, is designed as a bandage, and in wearing it we are reminded of our loyalty to our Group. The shoulderknot reminds us of the Patrol to which we belong, and the green garter-tabs are the equivalent to the knight's spurs, a symbol of honour. The lanyard, which carries a knife or compass, may <be likened to the bond of Scouti,friendship which encircles the globe, and which' holds all 'Scouts together in one brotherhood. M;' you see, it is our duty to see that every part of our Scout kit is neat and well eared for. Shirts and scarf pressed always, and washed often, arid lanyards kept white. Pale Mack lanyards are not worn! All leather (parts should be polished, fo-r besides making them look attractive, polish acts as a preservative. See, also, that your shoulder knot is correct, and not frayed or untidy, and .make sure your badges are correct and neatly sewed oii. Sleeves are always 'rolled, some, like our Chief, having them cut off at theelbow, which is neat and comfortable. Press your hat brim and keep it flat by putting something smooth and heavy ■ around the brim. No permanently waved hat 'brims iplease! Another .point, those socks! Yes, I know how you feel, and I know you won't wear them right up to the knee —you're not expected to. The regulation height is four fingers below the knee, quite high enough, and not toe low. Otherwise, why wear them ? You may as well borrow a pair j of mother's tennis socks—they'll looik I just as ornamental as the abbreviated apologies some of you display. Think it over, you chaps who are offenders in these matters, and remember what you owe to Scouting, then ask yourself if you are a good advertisement when you turn out. Old Shakespeare must have had a vision when he wrote the following lines (.from "Macbeth," I think): — "What are these —so withered and so wild. in their attire . . 1 that look not like inhabitants of the earth —and yet are on't." Another point —learn 'to look afteT your own kit. A Scout is self-reliant, and doesn't let others do things for him which he should do himself. Now to close —an old English saying:— "Let thy attyre be comely, but not costly.''