Scout Notes

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 109, 9 May 1941, Page 9

Scout Notes

(“Rangi.”) Politeness. Politeness, or as our fifth law puts it, “A Scout is courteous.” The following are instances of jioliteness which wero carried out in olden times. An instance of politeness in war occurred at the Battle of Fonteroy, when j we were lighting against the French. The Coldstream Guards coming up over a hill euddeulv found themselves close up to the French Guards. Both parties were surprised and neither fired a shot for a minute or two. In those days, when gallant men quarrelled, they used to settle their dif- ( ierences by lighting duels with pltetols. At a duel, bocli combatants were supposed to fire at the same moment when the order was given, but it often happened that one man, in order to show now brave he was would tell his adversary to fire first. And so in this case. When both parties were about to lire, the officer commanding the British Guards, to show his politeness and fearlessness, bowed to ihe French commander and said, “You lire first, sir.” When the french Guards levelled their rifles to fire, one of the soldiers of the Coldstreamors exclaimed, “For what we are going to receive may the Lord make us truly thankful.” In the volley that followed, a great number of our men fell, but the survivors returned an equally deadly volley, and, immediately charged in with the bayonet, and drove the French off the field. One of the stories that the knights used to tell us an example of politeness was that Julius Caeser, when he was entertained to supper by a poor peasant, was so polite tnat when tlie man gave him a dish of pickles to eat, thinning that they were the sort of vegetables that a higli-born oflicer would like, Caeser ate tne whole dish and pretended to like them, although they burned his mouth and disagreed with him considerably.’ * 3rd P.N. West End

Parade was held as usual on Monday night when as a novel stunt we had sonic tracking in the dark. The route was along College Street to Milford lioad to Mr. Kelly’s property through this and the Palmerston North Golf Links and back to the school. The patrols went out at intervals of 10 minutes with the patrol leaders in charge. Scouters R. and J. Tawharu and T.L. Ron Kelly were spread out on the route so as to make sure that the boys kept to the right track. On arrival back at the hall Mr. J. Lamberton took some of the Scouts for ambulance badge work while Scouter R. Tawharu took some boys for signalling- and T.L. Kelly took boys for second class ambulance work. “ Scout W. Lundy passed his Tenderfoot while Scouts A. Nickol, B. Ebbit, M. Duffield and S. Hocking are well on the way towards the second class badge. The parade concluded with prayers and flag break and then, a meeting of the Court of Honour. 4th P.N. AH Saints’ Our meeting opened at 7 p.m. with flag break ana prayers, followed by inspection. We hau three visitors, Scouters B. Waldegrave and J. Howard, who are in the Navy and Air Force respectively and Corporal W. Wilson from the Army. They each gave us a short talk on what they had been doing recently. Scouter Waldegrave is in training at Auckland, while Scouter Howard is just commencing his training in the Air Force. We then had a flag game followed by Patrol Corners, when wo received Tenderfoot and Second Class work. The meeting closed with a snappy game of dodgeball.

9th P.N. St. Patrick’s On Easter Saturday the Stag Patrol went into camp at Raumai for a few days. Although rather unpleasant conditions prevailed during the camp a considerable amount of scoutercraft and pioneering was done. Accompanying the patrol were two former members of the troop, T. O’Dea and and B. Creed, who have recently joined the Emergency Precaution Scouts in Wellington. After inspection, which was won this week by the Tui Patrol who gained 98 points out of 100, Mr. Gill gave the troop an interesting talk on fractures and how to treat them. In the handbalL competition the Morepork Patrol gained a decisive win over the Seagulls by two goals to nill, and retain the cup. We accept Terrace End’s challenge and look forward to au enjoyable evening. The troop also indulged in games of dodgeball and relays during the remainder of the evening. ( 10th P.N. St. Peter’s

The evening opened with prayers, followed by inspection which resulted in a draw, each Patrol receiving ,94 points. There were a few changes made in the troop. E. Ashcroft was promoted to Second of the Kingfisher Patrol, J. Hornblow is now Second of the Tui Patrol and H. Turner is Second of the Kiwi Patrol. We played a game of “Hankie,” after which Mr. Hornblow supplied us with a pear each. We also played a new game suggested by S. Elphie. There was no Court of Honour. 3rd P.N. West End Cubs

There was an exceptionally good parade last Monday, and it was pleasing to note the large number of now' uniforms. First Aid badges were presented to Sixers Stan Collins and Allan Cooksley, and Scouter Tawharu congratulated the boys on their good work. Signalling, first aid and flag instruction occupied most of the time and parade closed with games and prayers. We were pleased to have a member of the visiting committee with us.