SCOUT NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22751, 11 December 1935, Page 5

SCOUT NOTES

By Akela.

WOLF CUB COMPETITIONS. The Wolf Cub competitions were held at Hancock Park under ideal weather conditions. Seven packs paraded, these being Roslyn Panther, Roslyn Junior, 4th North Dunedin, Ocean Beach, Anderson's Bay, Green Island and Kensington. The results were as follows: —4th North Dunedin Pack 1, Ocean Beach 2, Anderson's Bay 3. CUBMASTERS' CONFERENCE. Headquarters was transformed into a jungle lair on Saturday evening, when Rama and Dingo held a " pow wow " with a number of old wolves. With a few " magic words" Rama transformed the Old Wolves into Wolf Cubs for the evening. After two wolf cub games, Dingo opened the "pow wow" with a talk on the psychology of the average cub and stressed the point that imagination played a most important part in his. life, and how wolf cub packs could be utilised to cater for this. Rama then spoke on the competition work that had been brought before him during the afternoon, and gave out words of jungle wisdom that were eagerly absorbed by his listeners. After an interlude of story acting from the jungle book, CM. Salmond brought forward some. of the difficulties she had encountered. The " kill" was then brought in by the she wolves and after it had been devoured, suggestions for further jungle meetings were heartily approved. The jungle was then closed until the New Year. HEADQUARTERS' ANNUAL MEETING. At the annual meeting to be held at the Council Chambers on Tuesday next at 8 p.m., at which the Mayor will preside, a medal for gallantry will be presented to Patrol-leader Todd, of Christian Brothers' Troop and the Metropolitan Trophy will be presented to the NorthEast Valley Troop. TROOP. AND PACK REPORTS. Ist Dunedin Roslyn Troop.—The troop paraded with 15 Scouts under Acting S.M. Glasson and Rover L. Jones. After inspection, pioneering was done by the Stags and the Bellbirds while the Buffaloes and Kiwis took signalling. Several matters pertaining to the week-end break-up camp were gone into and lists of gear were taken down by those Scouts participating. Patrols were arranged and camp fees were collected. Before dismissing with the Scout Promise a game of rhigball was played to finish a very instructive parade. Several , exScouts were present and helped with the programme. The Roslyn Junior Pack gave a welcome to Akela in the jungle on Wednesday last. There were 20 wolf cubs present and after a brief practice of competition work,, the pack settled down to knots under Baloo, while Akela, with the help of two sixers, supervised ball catching and skipping. Geoffrey M'Dermyd was successful in passing his: first star test. After a hunting game and a little jungle lore, the pack scampered from the jungle. 2nd Dunedin, Mornington Troop.—On Friday night, after flag break, the patrols retired to their corners for patrol work. After a quarter of an hour of this the troop was eent round the district on a trail, after which the Scouts were questioned to see what they had observed during the test. The Tui Patrol gained the most points. Scouter Dennison, then discussed the break-up to be held on Wednesday. After.roll call and inspection the troop was dismissed. 4th North Dunedin Troop.—The' troop, held its weekly parade' in the Normal School Hall on Saturday last, 21 Scouts responding to the: whistle of Scouter Gridgenian, including one new chum, Russel Aitken. The evening programme opened with a half an hour's patrol work, during which tenderfoot (knots, secondclass work, and first-class tests were practised assiduously. A short game of " Soccer" preceded the whistle for inspection, Scouter_ Beauchamp and five members of the " Hike " Patrol, who had been out for the day, arrived at this moment, and promptly fell in with their respective patrols. The roll was then called, and Scouter Gridgeman inspected the troop, remarking that there was still room for improvement as many Scouts were on parade without their staves. A game of "Simon Says" followed) when the patrols broke off to discuss their arrangements for the break-up on December 14. At 9.15 the troop left the hall, and half an hour was spent in the Museum Grounds playing some Scout games, after which they broke off with .an informal dismissal. . '', ...;.'.'•

4th North Dunedin Pack.—The pack paraded under CM. Salmond and A.C.M. Mains. Several games were played in the jungle, and a good practice of competition work was held. After instructions for meeting Akela and Baloo on Saturday to proceed to the competitions, 21 Wolf Cubs howled their farewell to the jungle until next week, when the breakup ceremony will be held. 14th Dunedin, St. Andrew's Troop.— Owing to the fact that they were keen on natural history, several Scouts thought that the circus would provide some education in this direction, and consequently the number on parade was hot up to its usual standard. Nevertheless, while the committee met, the troop had a short game of rounders on the Oval. On returning to the hall again scouter supplied a test, that of finding a rag saturated with imitation iodine and strong disinfectant by smell alone, all being blindfold. After inspection scouter presented the interpatrol trophy, an exquisite piece of Maori carving, executed by D.S.M. Ashby, to the Bulldog Patrol. Fitting speeches were given by the patrol leader and 6couter, which were followed by three cheers from the rest of the troop. The trophy will hang on the Bulldog's totem until next year. After a game of charades in which P.L.D. Campbell was outstanding, the troop was dismissed until next Friday. 17th Dunedin, Knox Troop.—Nineteen Scouts paraded on Friday. The Owls and Stags had Scout pace to Howe street. Scouts Herron and Beattie passed their second-class signalling, and Scout Payton passed the Scout pace test. The troop was visited by Commissioner Cottrell, Mrs Coker, and Mr Dawson during the evening. The weekly Court of Honour was held on Monday, when arrangements were made to have the break-up on December 13, and camp was fixed for Taieri Mouth in January. The Lone Patrol is growing in numbers. On Tuesday five of the patrol were taken out to St. Clair for the afternoon, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

17th Dunedin, Knox Pack.—The pack was 16 strong on Friday. The cubs were sorry to hear that Wolfcub Smith was in hospital with an injured eye, and hope he will soon be better. After some varied relays, a game of cricket was held. This was followed by "No Man's Land,"which proved very strenuous on a warm evening. Later, a run was held to Howe street.

4th North Dunedin, Flying Squad.— On a recent Sunday the members of the Flying Squad held the tenth official ride to Warrington. Sharp at 9.45 a.m., the party left the Museum Grounds on their ride. Good time was made to the Brown House, where one member suffered a puncture.. Repairs were soon effected and the ride resumed. At Waitati a stop was made for morning tea. Another flat tyre was noticed, and again the repair outfit was brought into operation. At 12.20 the squad reached Warrington. The machines were parked at Scouter Beauchamp's residence, and the party sal down to a light lunch. The weather was gloriously line and a splash in the surf was suggested. Swimming conditions were ideal when the party reached the beach, and a pleasant time was spent in the water. Several of the Scouts went round the rocks hunting for paua shells with the object of decorating their staves. At 5 o'clock the billy was again boiling, and the squad had their tea in the cool shade of the pines. Following tea, they proceeded by a track to the bush, where several staves were secured. The sun was still high when the party set off for home after an adventurous day's outing.

The Hike Patrol.—Five members of the Hike Patrol, under A.S.M. Beauchamp, left town on Saturday for a hike to Tunnel Beach. The tram was taken to the St. Clair terminus, and from there the party left the road and made its way across the fields in the vicinity of Cargill's Castle. On reaching the tunnel, the Scouts made their way down to the beach and were soon in the water. Much refreshed, they regained the cliff top and a fire-lighting competition was held. This was won by Second J. Driver, with M. Kirk second. The billy was soon boiling, and everyone was busy getting his

own tea.. Some made tea and others cooked sausages' on sticks over the hot embers of the fires. Time was getting on when finally the party started on the journey home, and it was a very weary party that finally reached the parade hall that night. 27th Dunedin, Kensington Troop.— Practically the whole evening last Monday was f;iven up to a game of cricket on the Oval. The night was so pleasantly warm thfLt Scouter decided it would be a shame to waste it inside, so, much to the delight of all, parade was held out of_ doors. When it grew too dark for cricket, a return was made to troop headquarters, where a short programme of work was run through. The most important business of the evening was the investiture of two recruits, Alan Moore and Jack Ferguson, who are now fully accredited members of the brotherhood. After this investiture ceremony, Scouter gathered the troop about him in the small room and entertained the members with the thrilling story of the snake and the sword. After this a discussion followed on the annual camp which is to be held in January, and also on the possibility of arranging shorter camps of just two or three nights during the Christmas holidays for the benefit of those Scouts who will, unfortunately, not be able to attend the annual camp. In the meantime, a hike has been arranged for' Saturday, when almost the entire troop intends to spend the day out of doors. During the week Reg Ibbotson was successful in passing his Tenderfoot tests and will be invested at the next meeting of the troop. Owins to the fact that S,couter is going into camp this week with the Third Oamaru-Waitaki Troop, Kensington will not hold a parade next Monday. The final parade of the troop year will be held on December 16.