Scout Notes

Hutt News, Volume 11, Issue 12, 18 August 1937, Page 5

Scout Notes

(By "Kamahi.") A small but keen muster of Leaders assembled for the second course at "Aorangi's" section on 7th and Bth inst. The section, by the way, has been named "Charterhouse Camp," our District badges consisting of the arms of Charterhouse School in England, with the letters "H.V.8." superimposed. The s.hool arms were adopted on account of Charterhouse being the Chief Scout's old school, and also "Aorangi's." Our district is now affiliated with this famous old public school, an honour we appreciate Sessions during the course were taken by Mr. K. V. Kibblewhite (advanced semaphore), "Kaiarahi," (sketching), "Kauri" (Scout Law and Promise), and "Uimu" (history of Scouting). "Tapni" was Camp Chief, "Kamahi" assisting, and running the campfire. We were sorry that "Mintie" was not in the best of health, and so could not do his section of the course, the crection of a camp flag-tower. Those in camp attended their churches on Sunday morning. After due consideration it has been decided to .suspend the training courses until the summer months. We feel that the support so far received does not warrant the spending of any further lime or energy on the part of those •running the activities. This is no reflection on those Leaders who attended; on the contrary, we feel most grateful to them for their loyalty and keenness. It is intended during the period of suspension to go into the matter more thoroughly, to explore new country, and to move about, creating enthusiasm in Troops, and making a preliminary selection of likely chaps. We are determined that this venture will be a success, and will spare no effort to make it so. We have some splendid practical men of wide experience to call upon, and we have the chaps, provided they have the time to give, and are prepared to give it, in order to become more proficient in the game of Scouting. The vent me has not failed, far from it. It has been good experience, and as such is a valuable contribution to our previous experience in this sort of thing. Last week 1 launched out on the subject of Scout kit—how to wear it. 1 want this time to tackle one or two oilier prevalent slack points observed now and then. Some fellows as they grow older, and go into "longs," appear to dislike changing into shorts for Scouting, and so we see the fellow turned out as it he is "halt in and half out 1 ' of Scouting, as some caustic critic of this practice on.-e observed. Now this is delinitely against our rules, unless the chap, through physical disability. finds it inadvisable to wear shorts. Some of our finest men suffer from this disadvantage, and we appro ciate their .predicament, and honour them for their spirit in joining up to give a hand. The younger chap, though, really has no excuse, lie may plead shyness to expose his nether limbs to the public gaze. Well, if that's the

case, countless good fellows have braved ridicule in order to be tin example to other.-', and there is another point ut' view to this if one considers the tremendous good turn rendered in providing many people with tau.se tor amuseiueiit. There are funnier things than bare knees! A perusal of any fashion magazine, ladies' or men's, will [iruve this! Then there is the untidy habit of wearing pullovers and the like over the Scout .shirt. This is not only uusij.,duly, but actually not a very sensible idea, for the clothing worn underneath gives more warmth than that worn on top. So ne.\l time slip that pullover on before you i>ut oil your shirt, and we'll all be happy. Again, we have all noticed the chaps who wear portions of their kit to school, or when on some job other than Scouting. Certainly it is not always possible, especially in the u-ase of the Cub, or the Sea Scout, to have a separate jersey for school and uniform. If this is the case, cannot it be arranged so that badges, etc., can be lixed for easy taking oil* and replacing / Any alternative is preferable to seeing those badges and emblems of rank, such as Sisers•' and Leaders' stripes, worn at the wrong time, thus losing their meaning. Don't get into this careless habit of wearing the Scout hat, or Cub rap any old time. Keep it for the occasions for which it is meant, and you and vour uniform will be given the respect for which yon therein' qualify. This applies to us all—Cubs, Scou'.s, Covers, or Scoutcrs. Let's carry that great influence —example—as tar as we possibly can. into the way in which we wear our uniform. Don't worry about patches, mends, or darns. If they are neatlv done, no one minds those. Personally. I think they're honourable soars, gained through a vigorous and determined resolve to carry out the Chiefs saying—"A Scout is active in doing good, not passive." "What have you done to-day for God or man, To prove yourself a part ot His great plan, "Who seat you here some useful work to do, Some cross to bear, a life to live tluu s true." '