SCOUT NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22022, 3 August 1933, Page 12

SCOUT NOTES

By Scouter. The month has been a pleasant one for the Mohicans. Our court of honour has been set upon its feet, and several minor changes made. A troop museum is almost ready, and a library is in the making. Badge work still l progresses, but the number of badges ' a boy may gain per morith is limited ;td two. ■' Practice for 'Competitions is proceeding apace. Scouter has become' more strict on inspection lately, and this has had a-good'effect. The Eagle 1 Patrol must be complimented on its victory in the Gilwell Shield' competition.

The St. Andrew’s Troop is continuing to make good progress. Three new boys, D. Baigent, E. Sell, and G. Poulter, have passed their tenderfoot. Hobbies’ night saw everyone busy. The standard of some of the work is of a' very high order. Ships seem to 1 be very popular, ajthough a flying model of an aeroplane is very good. The den is something that the troop is very proud of. A good table, a bookself, and numerous* decorations help to give it a really homely atmosphere. The troop and patrol totems add a bright effect. The patrol corners are also looking even better. Last Friday, District Commissioner Pirrett visited the troop. After a thorough inspection of everything he congratulated the troop not only on its work but also l on‘..handicrafts.. He also gave an interesting'talk on hobbies. Afterwards he. attended the court of honour and made some very encouraging remarks. THE GOOD TURN.

There is one little, pule in,the movement that no other organisation has, and that is that each Scout should *dp at least one good turn daily. What a happy world it would be if everyone, made up their minds to do at least one good turn for someone,else each day. Right from the foundation of the Scout Movement the good turn has been carried out. During the war Scouts in England carried it on more in a national sense. So do we locally each year with the commercial travellers. All these are very fine, but how many of those Scouts who participate ever think of that good deed in the home What about that chopping of wood, washing of dishes, and the thousand and one little tasks that can all help to lighten mother’s burden. If a Scout is asked to run a message he should do it willingly. “Do the thing that is nearest” is a good motto for Scouts. Get into the habit of giving a hand at any time, try and do the job before you are asked, Scouts, and you will then feel far happier, in that you have tried tb carry out one of the most impoi-tant principles in our wonderful movement, Helpfulness. Do your good deeds, first in the home and then outskte, and try, above all-; else, to be as good a Scout as you can. CAMPING SITES. A few months ago the writer was asked to publish a list of camping sites for Scouts. An appeal through the column was made to Scouters to contribute some information, with no response, so the writer is going to endeavour to help those who have not done much camping around Dunedin. These sites are just as good for patrols as for troops. Waitati provides many sites. The picnic grounds up from the station are excellent. The ground is fairly well drained, and is fiat. There is plenty of dry wood up on the hill above.. The water comes from the Waitati, Stream, and should be examined, to see that there is no fouling of it. There are also, plenty of excellent sites further up'the valley, all well watered and with plenty of wood handy. Any troops desiring to camp on any of these should communicate with the Mornington, Christian .Brothers, or North Dunedin Scouters, from whom they will get more information. Whare Flat provides some excellent sites. The Roslyn Troop has had considerable experience of this district, and should be able to help the troops in finding a suitable place. There is another good site at -Merton, near Orbell’s. It is some distance from the Alerton Station, but is excellent for camping. It is situated at the bridge not far from the, Qrbell homestead. Mohicans camped bn a good sheltered site at .Puketeraki near the railway station. There is,excellent scouting country around here, and the place is of much historical interest. There are good sites down the Peninsula, but water is the trouble. Perhaps the Peninsula Troop may be able to help troops who wish to camp in these parts. The list is by no means exhausted, but the sites above given .are worthy of consideration by any Scouter, in that information can be given as to the advantages of the sites. Perhaps the Rovers could take up as one of their quests the study of camping sites around Dunedin'.' If all troops would combine in this idea and pass on their information to the Rovers a map could then be constructed, with particulars of all sites, and this, hung' in headquarters, would assist many'Scouters.