SCOUT NOTES

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 214, 7 September 1934, Page 10

SCOUT NOTES

(By "To Pee to.”) It was pleasing to sco so ' many Scouters and Cubmasters make the journey over to Pahiatua last night. The meeting was most satisfactory and quite a lot of important business was discussed. It is quite possible that the writer will have something of importance to report to you next week. General Information. Cubmasters ’ class next Thursday. Scouters’ class, Thursday, September 20. Commissioner Coolcslcy’s letter continued from last week, is ns follows: — ”... Now for moro practical things ...” "A Scout’s duty is to be helpful,’ and ho can be this straight away by getting his “history’ sheet filled in at the very earliest and sent in to headquarters. You will all Tealiso that, much thought and organising must take place before things are definitely arranged. I understand and sympathise with the difficulties confronting many scouters, so merely ask them to do their very best to let those responsible have returns promptly and cheerfully. Half of tho contingent will bo sailing on December 15, and tho remaindor will not arrive in Melbourne till the eve of the Jamboree, so it is impossible to arrange pageants and stunts as a whole; but each district can do their bit—especially those districts that have a fair number attending —to make a show worthy of New Zealand.

Round the Council Fire. Hero is a very fine opening for a camp-fire. Camp-fire leader recites: And as yo squat around the fire, Your council fire aglow, Lot it dovour envy and ire And evils hero below; Let it remind each mother’s son Of that spiritual firo Our Great Chief lit in years bygone; Pan yet its flames tho higher, Until its warmth shall cheer each heart, Its glow light every eye, Point out the path to peace, impart True lovo that cannot die.

The Great Out o’ Doors,

In planning for tho coming summer activities it is hoped that scouters arc all aiming for more hiking and camping than ever before, and on a yet more attractive standard for the boy. As tho towns’ populations go on increasing, moro than over it is necessary to get tho boys out into the country to catch tho spirit of the countryside. Water Shortage. Camping will bo handicapped in some places by water shortage, and scouters should take great care to ensuro that no wastage is allowed. Bear in mind these remarks are only given to troops that intend to select some camping ground that is not beside a stream. Carelessness in this respect will discredit tho whole movement. On tho other hand, it is more than ever important that scouts should have plenty to drink. The commonest cause of sickness in camp is too little wator, no allowance having been, mado for loss of water by perspiration. Extra supplies of fluid must bo consumed this year if camping during a dry spell. Australian Jamboree. From Scout headquarters in Australia comes tho news that arrangements are being made to accommodate 25,000 scouts in a camp of 350 acres which has been chosen as a site for the Jamboree. Over 150 experts are planning the camp site —buildings are already going up —it will be tho largest scout shop in tho world equipped with everything scouts need, from a needlo to a. marquee. There are five sub-camps, headquarters, supply, scouters, lady scouters, rovers and a hostel camp. In another part there will be a fully staffed hospital and ambulance. Acres of vegetables will bo planted to provide tho camp with supplies, and since this part of the country is famed for its orchards and poultry farms, provisions have been guaranteed by farmers in the district. All meat will be killed in tho camp under proper supervision. Special attention has been paid to allotting camp sites to various nationalities to permit of camp characteristic of the countries to which they belong. The New Zealand contingent has been made up from scouts, rovers and scouters, so New Zealand will be worthily represented. Quite a large number will bo going from tho Manawatu district.

Send Your Report,

Scouters, why not tell us something moro about your troop activities? .Don’t tell us too much about all the badges aud caps you have gained; let us know of your “good times,” ideas, and new stunts that will be of interest to other troops. This column is for your use, so send in your reports to “To Peetc.” Make your slogan:— Every Scout read this column every Friday. Will you do mo a good turn by introducing these weekly notes to every scout you know who is not at present a regular reader?

Whipping the End of a Rope,

A tenderfoot scout must know how to whip the ond of a rope before being revested. Hardiness, usefulness, thrift and tidiness are all involved in this simple test. A whipping is put on the end of a rope in order to prevent it from becoming unlaid or frayed at the ends. A whipping is better for this purposo than a back-splice—provided that the whipping is firm and stays put —since it leaves the end tho same thickness as the rope itself, and therefore enables it to bo passed through a block, as well as making the free-ond easier to handle in knotting and lashing. There are several methods of whipping the end of a rope. It may be of interest and value to collect these several methods together so the scouts can be encouraged to practice different ways of cleaning up tho ends of ropes they use for knotting or pioneering and for camping. Tho best suggestion I can mako is for scouts to get in touch with Hover Britton—ho can show you zuoro in tea minutes

than I could explain in ten columns of these notes. Troop Notes. sth r.X. (’fe Awe Awe) Troop.—All scouts arc reminded that the troop meets to-night at 0.45; a good muster is expected. Cubs. —Under the supervision of Akela and assisted by her A.S.M., Cubs spent a most enjoyable time at the river last Wednesday. There wore 17 present, and numerous out door games were played. The boys took their tea with them and had great fun in preparing it. All arc looking for the next outing.