SCOUT NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 259, 30 September 1936, Page 14

SCOUT NOTES

(By “Tenderfoot.”) Tlie Commissioner is anxious to get alt census returns in at the earliest possible moment as the tune tor ttiese is now well overdue. All who have so far overlooked tiiis matter should give it their immediate attention. We can’t keep the Commissioner waiting. We are all greatly disappointed, of course, that the Governor-General cannot attend the big rally in November. But, of course, we were more or less prepared for such a contingency. It appears that an important visitor from overseas is expected during the rally week, and the time of tils Excellency will be more or less fully occupied. What a great pity it is that the rally could not be held during Show Week. Then the Gov-ernor-General could have attended both functions without too much of a tax on his time. However, we know we will have His Excellency’s good wishes and with those, for this time at least, we shall have to be content. How would you like to Ire a thousand miles from your nearest friends? The Chief has been to such a place and lie writes in Scout to tell what he •thinks of St. Helena. How interesting it would he for him to visit the place where were imprisoned those famous South African warriors General Cronje and Sarel Elof, one-time enemies of his. And then, of course, there was the great Napoleon Bonaparte, who was sent to St. Helena, where he died. However, read what the Chief says:— “I have just been to see Longwood, the house in which Napoleon lived. It is a long, single-storeyed house, right up on the top of the highest down in the island. He was allowed to have his staff officers with him to keep him coin pan j', and the descendant s of those officers have made themselves into a little society, which has taken over charge of the house and garden and keep it in repair as a museum and memorial of Napoleon’s stay there. “Poor Napoleon! He tried to keep up his state as an Emperor, and was greatly annoyed with the British Governor of the Island, who kept him strictly as a prisconer within the grounds of his house. In the house was some of the furniture which he had used. Among other tilings was his folding camp-bed and a huge tin hath. There are curious little peepholes in the shutters of his window, so made that lie could look out though the shutters were closed, and nobody could look in or know that he was watching them. . “But I haven’t told you the important thing about St. Helena. are Bov Scouts there! And Girl Guides,'too! The guide book says of the island: ‘There is an Anglican Bishop in the island, but no poisonous insects, nor snakes. It omits to mention the Boy «Scouts. But there they are—and very much there 1 When our ship anchored off the place a very smart boat rowed out to us, manned by four hefty Scouts, and steered by the Scoutmaster, Rev. Canon v\ alcott. In this we were taken ashore, and found a huge crowd assembled oil the wharf to greet us. There was a fine triumphal arch made by the Scouts and decorated with the Scout and Guide badges. Then there was a long lane made by a big Scout Group and three Guide Companies and three Packs. Although they are all very poor, they were all very smartly dressed in uniform, and the Wolf Cubs and Scouts bad lots of badges of proficiency. There were five King s Scouts and a' lot of Ist Class and All-round Cords. Tlie Scouts bad a jolly good band of ocarinas and drums. \Ve had a Scout’s Own in the Guide Head-; quarters, and had morning tea with the Guides. Afterwards we inspected the Scoufs 5 headquarters, a former Army storehouse, in which they have rigged up a stage and painted their own scenery for concerts, etc. They are a jolly lot of fellows, but quite out of touch with any other Scouts. 1 wish some of you who read this would writ© to them. They don’t get much news of the outer world there, and mails only reach them once a month. But they would he delighted to hear from any brother Scouts at home or elsewhere. For any of you who are stamp collectors it would he worth while writing and getting an answer from them, because the St. Helena stamps are very beaiitiful and very rare. Write care of Canon Walcott, Boy Scouts’ Association, Jamestown, St. Helena.’” Now, who is there who would like to correspond with these lonely, hut nevertheless happy boys situated on this speck in the ocean? There must be some. TROOP NOTES. Takaro Troop.—We have a troop strength of 21 good keen boys. The troop is divided into five patrols, and our patrol-leaders are out to make their individual patrol the best, so that we should eventually have a splendid troop in Takaro. We are using the City Band Hall for our parados, and take this opportunity to extend a very hearty welcome to all other troops to come along and spend an evening with us. A large company of Takaro Scouts paid a visit to the Terrace End troop, the evening being thoroughly enjoyed by all. Scouter Davidson took command of both troops, S.-M. Barber having to leave early in the evening. Iho Terrace End troop, in the charge of S.-M. Davidson, has already paid us a visit, and a very pleasant evening was spent, during which we indulged ill sports and games.—Thanks, Takaro. Henceforth we will look for regular reports of your doings. - Btli Palmerston North (St. Paul s). The attendance at the parade on September 21 showed several boys absent for various reasons. Some time was taken up with criticism of the uniforms and various points were noticed for improvement. Work m coiners then proceeded, and there followed a period of games; bridgebuilding and a knotting obstacle relay took up the remainder of tlie evening, which closed rather later than the usual In place of the usual court ot honour on Thursday night several boys came along for further instruction in Scout work. On Saturday afternoon the S.-M. and three Scouts again went over to Aokautere and poles and staves were loaded on a lorry and brought into town. On Tuesday night a meeti,i<r of parents and committee members was held and although not many attended some business was put

through. It has been arranged to stage a concert in aid of troop funds towards tho end of October, and what with this and the Labour Day rally tho troop is very busy in one way and another. Te Awe Awe Scout Troop—The troop held its first Wednesday meeting last week. There was a good attendance and Sergeant Poynter examined several boys for ambulance tests. P.-L. Stubbs and P.-L. ltetter passed the first class standard, while the second class standard was gained by Scouts J. Alderson, K. Niederer, K. Archibald, J. Taylor, I. Olliver and O. Olliver. The rest of the troop was taken for tracking by A.-S.-M. Looser and groat keenness was shown by the new boys. A hearty welcome was extended to Recruit Metcalf and also to Scout A. Fraser, who lias come back amongst us. Preparations are being made for the Labour Day rally. A good show is expected and we hope to have a good display of handicrafts.' Te Awe Awe Pack.—A special pack meeting was very much enjoyed when the pack divided into two groups and under the leadership of Sixers set forth on the “voyage of discovery,” following a marked route on the maps provided. The Sixers made a detailed list of points of interest on the way, and returned with some interesting information. Impromptu acting is great fun and we found some unexjiected talent when we acted “The Yarn” last week. Gordon Gush played tho part of the fat old lady and did this very well, much to the pack’s amusement. Rally work followed and the meeting closed with prayers and the Grand Howl.