SCOUT NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21601, 23 March 1932, Page 5

SCOUT NOTES

By Scouter,

AMONG FRIENDS.

Continuation of last week’s letter. “ Sounds all right ” perhaps you are thinking, “but I do not much fancy going among a crowd of 20 or 30 strange chaps where I am a ‘new boy’—the only one who does not ‘know the ropes.” Well, the Chief Scout thought of that when he started Scouting, and a Scout Troop is made up of Patrols —each consisting of six to eight boys—the Wood-pigeon Patrol, the Otters, the Bulldogs, and so on. One of the boys who knows the game well is the Patrol Leader, and arranges the Patrol doings and all that sort of thing. So you will not find yourself just one new chap among a lot of strangers; you go at once into a Patrol and from the very start you have a Leader and half a dozen special chums to see that you share all the fun and help you on with your Scouting. And when the Scoutmaster is arranging things for the whole Troop, , Patrol Leaders meet as a “ Court ot Honour ” to help him. IN CAMP. There are heaps of other things I should like to tell you about, only there is not room here. When you join a Troop, you will find it all out for yourself. But .1 must tell you a bit about camp; that is the jolliest part of _it all—living out in the open: sleeping in a tent. No, I do not call that sort of thing “roughing it, for you soon learn to make up your bed so that it is quite as comfortable as your bed at home; and there are any amount of camp gadgets you can make for yourself. Camp is a very comfortable place, indeed, for Scouts who “ know the game.” Thera wTlj.be camp for the whole Troop in the summer, and probably your Patrol Leader will arrange some week-end camps for your own Patrol as well. _ In camp you can pick up a lot of Scouting knowledge, learn to find your way across country with a compass, and without it; how to put up a temporary, bridge or build a shelter for the night. Then there is swimming and woodcraft—in fact, the days seldom seem long enough for all you want to crowd in, but the best of all is when you gather round the camp fire for a singsong at the end of the day and listen to a yarn of adventure or heroism while the sparks fly upwards. Everyone knows the Scout uniform nowadays. It looks quite as smart as best clothes, and is far more comfortable; it is meant for working and playing in, not as something you put on in order to sit still and look pretty. But it means something, too, and so does the Scout sign. For one thing it means that vou are one of a big brotherhood, spreading all over the world, all trying to help one another to play the Scouting game, not only the part of it that I have been talking about, but the bigger part as well. For Scouts, real Scouts are decent chaps because they are trying to keep the rules of the games—that it, the Scout Law. And the Scout Law is. the finest law a fellow, can have. Scouting is not a thing that is all for yourself either. Nothing is much fun if you try to keep it all to yourself. And so Scouts are _ always on the lookout for chances of doing a. good turn to somebody else. This is a point of honour. And now, Jack, will you make up your mind to do the thing which will enable me to sign myself—Your sincere Brother Scout, Grey Wolf. Ist DUNEDIN (ROSLYN) TROOP. On Friday last 38 Scouts paraded at the headquarters of the Ist Dunedin (Roslyn) Troop. During the evening the different patrols carried on their own work, after which a baseball game was played; while a pick-a-back race proved very, enjoyable. Later on the troop was joined by another assistant scoutmaster, Scouter Henderson, late of North Dunedin. Final arrangements for the Easter camp at the other side of the Kilmog were made. 2nd DUNEDIN (2nd MORNINGTON) TROOP.

On Friday night the 2nd Mornington Troop met for the weekly parade. Almost a full muster answered the Scouters whistle. The usual routine was earned out, but the chief topic was the preparation for the Easter camp, which is to be held at Woodside from Thursday until Tuesday. The camp will be under tho supervision of Scoutmaster M Laren. Scooter Dennison, Scout Jenkins, and Cubber M'Gregor. Also going into camp accompanying them will be Mr R. B. Smith, the chairman of. the. Parents Committee, so parents can rest assured that the boys will be well cared for. The committee is as busy as usual, raising funds to pay off the debt on the hall. The latest move is to be a series of fortnightly dances on alternate Thursdays. Any friends desiring invitations should communicate with the chairman, c/o the Scout Hall.

7th DUNEDIN (MOHICANS) TROOP. Parades of the Mohicans were held on the last two Friday evenings. The troop has been reorganised,'and-now has four patrols, namely; Bellbird> Hawk, Eagle, and Seagull. Revisions of all grades of scout work occupied the evenings. On Saturday about a _ dozen Scouts and two visitors made a trip to Murdering Beach. Brilliant sunshine made the outing very pleasant, and by the time the Scouts reached Dunedin at 8.15 p.m. all were dead tired. The summer camp of the Mohicans was held at Puketerakx in glorious weather. Scoutcr Day was in charge, and was ably assisted by Mr Godwon Johnson and Scouters Woods and Goodwin. Eleven days of sunshine on the Karitane Beach and in the Puketeraki Valley turned town-sick boys into tanned and happy Scouts. At very short notice the troop organised a firstclass concert in the Maori Hall, and thus considerably augmented the troop funds. Sunday was visiting day, and about 30 visitors arrived by the excursion tram from Dunedin. Two church parades were held—in the morning at 8.30 and m the evening a ceremonial parade. Tp the latter service many came from Karitane and the surrounding district._ Many hikes were held, the best being from Puketeraki to Waikouaiti beach, where the Scouts joined their friends in a picnic. The time passed all too quickly. The eleventh day, set aside for breaking camp turned out wet and cold. The trip to town was made in the Dennis lorry, and all were sorry to see again the dismal streets of Dunedin. 10TH DUNEDIN (GREEN ISLAND) TROOP. The 10th Dunedin (Green Island) Troop had a moderate muster on Friday night. After the rolls had been marked and the troop inspected, the leaders took charge of their patrols. The Bellbirds were instructed on the compass and semaphore signalling, and one member was examined on Tenderfoot work by Scouter Murie and was successful in completing the tests for the badge. The Kiwis, being all recruits, studied the law promise and were instructed on the knots. The Panthers, who are on First Class work, tried speed tests on the semaphore. Farewell was taken of one of the Bellbirds, who has gone to Christchurch to live. The troop was inspected by D.S.M. Phelan, who was accompanied by Messrs Glue and Smith, of the Area Council. Mr Sloan, of the committee, was present for a while during the evening. 14TH DUNEDIN (ST ANDREW’S) TROOP. The 14th Dunedin (St. Andrew’s) Troop met on Friday evening. After fall in. inspection was carried out by District Scoutmaster Phelan, and members of the Scout Committee. The troop then carried on with the evening’s programme, the Bellbirds taking pioneering, Kiwis and Seagulls signalling and Bulldogs second class work. At 7.50 a visit was made by the Y.M.C.A. Troop. A very happy time followed, both troops soon becoming great friends. The troop was dismissed at 9 o’clock. A court of honour was held, and it was decided to make Second M. Paine, of the Bulldogs, the second of the Bellbirds and Scout E. Edmonds second of the Bulldogs. A month’s programme was also worked out. The court closed at 9.15. 15TH DUNEDIN (ST.CLAIR) TROOP. The troop paraded at 7.30 p.m., at troop headquarters last Friday. There was a particularly good muster, and once again the boys were very well turned out. After the fall-iu and inspection, work commenced. The troop has a very large number of recruits working hard in an endeavour to pass their Tenderfoot examination, This number was augmented by the arrival of eight new recruits last Friday evening. It has been decided to disband the existing patrols and re-form them. One more patrol at least will be required. The troop is gradually growing and it is Imped will soon be back to its old strength. During the evening the troop had u visit from D.S.M. Fielder and two members of the Area Committee who expressed themselves as being highly delighted with the way the troop was growing. The evening was finished by a meeting of the Court of Honour at which it was decided to have a day’s outing next Saturday.

CUBS. MOSGIEL PACK,

There was a good attendance of Mobgiel Cubs, who joined in the Grand Howl round the Council Rock last Wednesday evening at 7 o’clock, A game followed by Simon Says soon had the Cubs physically and mentally alert. Star testa, including signalling and knots, occupied the pack for some time, till a game of Over and Under was played. The Kangaroo Relay was won by the Grays. _ A hymn and prayer preceded the repeating of the promise and after a departing howl the pack stole silently away,* ST. ANDREW’S PACK.

The St. Andrew’s Cubs answered the old Wolf Cry with running feet, rallying round the Totem for the first howl. Afterwards various games were played by the Sixes. The Cubber gave a talk on knots which was appreciated greatly by the Cubs. The Sixes then retired .to their dens where Cub work was carried on under their Sixers. The evening was brought to a close by jungle dances and a sing-song. ANDERSON’S BAY PACK. The Anderson’s Bay Pack held its weekly parade in the Cub den. There was' not such a large attendance ns last week. The young Cubs were taught the laws of the jungle. Knotting and second star work was then carried out by Akela. During the evening Mrs Black and Mrs Huggins, of the Parents’ Committee, were present, and they taught the Cubs another new game, “ Finning the Tail on the Elephant.” The Canoe Haka was then practised and the promise repeated. Akela thanked the ladies for their thoughtfulness in providing fruit for the Cubs, which was thoroughly enjoyed. ST CLAIR PACK.

There were 33 Cubs at the pack meeting at St. Clair on Friday night, and any new people who may be thinking of joining are advised to hurry, as only three more can be admitted into_ the pack circle. The evening was a noisy but enjoyable one, games, yells, and hakas taking up most of the time. A new Cub was welcomed, and seemed to like the pack life immensely. During the evening first stars were presented, and four Cubs are now on their way towards the second star. After the pack scattered, jungle tests were held by Akela and Bagheera, and, as Oerek Wood now knows enough to get one eye open, he will get his first star at the next pack meeting. Two new people have glso learned their jungle lore and will be sworn in as Wolf Cubs at the next pack meeting. GREEN ISLAND PACK.

The pack of the Green Island group is slowly feeling its way in the mysteries of the jungle, and would gladly welcome a visit from some old and experience wolf to help it on its way. The meeting is held on Friday night. The numbers are growing, 14 being on the roll. To date tenderpad work has been carried out, and very shortly members will be commencing on the way to find out how to open the first eye.