SCOUT NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23225, 24 June 1937, Page 15

SCOUT NOTES

By White Fanf

PATROL LEADERS There may be many types of patrol leaders, but when you get down to rock bottom you find only two classes: that is. either good or bad patrol leaders. Now there is only one class for you; that is, among the good leaders. In the first place a patrol leader must be keen. By that I mean having the interest of his patrol and troop at heart. The leader must be efficient —that is, up to the mark in all the tests that he has passed and must also have a good, all-round knowledge of practical Scouting, This is absolutely essential if his patrol is going to get anywhere. This means that he must put in extra practice at the different tests, and it is worth it if it is going to improve his patrol. As a member of the Court of Honour, the patrol leader will have a say in the formation of the troop programme. He should keep a log with records of each member of the patrol, so that he can help to select a programme most suitable for his fellows A troop or patrol without a programme is like a ship without sails—it does not get anywhere He should prepare a programme, take it to the Court of Honour, and submit it for approval If he works on the assumption that the troop programme is in 20-minute spells he will know how to select and apply his material. He should get his patrol out on Saturday afternoons for practical Scouting. If the Scouter plans and stunts, he should back him up strongly Many of the fellows are reading this, and so to them I should say, “Back your Scouter and patrol leader.” Remember the golden rule; When there is a Saturday outing planned, do not dodge it, but be there on time; the same applies to troop meetings. Learn all you can, and do your best to be real Scouts. COOK’S BADGE Owing to excessive rain during the week, it was necessary to postpone the cooking test. At the time of writing another date had not been fixed, but an inquiry at headquarters on Friday will , give you something definite. We hope to have a good entry for this work. ROVERS | The Rover meeting on Satur-1 day was in the hands of the Chris- I tian Brothers patrol as far as the the programme was concerned. Kim’s game was introduced in the form of a sound test. Rovers were then called upon to give their decision.on several law cases which had recently received attention. However,

it soon showed that the judges were more skilled in their decisions than the average Rover. Our main visitor for the evening was Mr Davidson, who gave a very interesting yam on activities in Palestine. The next fortnightly meeting is to be held at St. Andrews Den at 6 sharp, while Rovers are asked to read over the first chapter of “ Revering to Success,” as this is coming up for discussion. So far, the attendance at the Rover meetings has been very encouraging, but there are still a number of troops in the district that have not got a Rover patrol attached. It is not the intention of the Crew to take away Scouts who are actively connected in the troop. We want the ones who have just left because they are tired of Scouting and want something more adapted to their interest and age. When you are 17 or 18, and think you are too big for the Scouts, just drop along to the Rovers. They will show you that Scouting can live on long after you have got to this age. You might ask what Rovers are? Well, that is a hard question to answer in a few words, but they are just a group of chaps moulded into a brotherhood for fellowship and service. Come along and see what they are like. If you then find you do not like them, well, say so, but I don’t think you will get that far, for you are sure to like the cheery grin that meets you at the door. MOHICANS NOW ELEVEN YEARS OLD Last Friday the Mohicans troop and pack celebrated their eleventh year of Scouting. The evening was devoted to games and individual items by several of the Scouts and Cubs. A large attendance of parents and friends joined in a round of the old favourite “Grand Old Duke of York.” A song by Scout Pollock, recitation by Scout Larson, Maori songs by Scout Aitken, and a mouthorgan solo by Cub Brown were all much appreciated. Commissioner Wing congratulated the committee and officers on the fine work carried out during the past year and the good progress that had been made despite the fact that several changes had been made as far as the officers were concerned. After supper the cake was cut by Scout M’Gregor, the youngest Scout in the troop. It was very pleasing to see members of the other group committees present, besides the district officers and officers from other troops and packs. The annua] report, which was presented to a meeting on the previous j evening, showed that the troop had increased in numbers, but that the pack had lost in numbers. The Rev. Mr Harbour and Mr F. Hay were reelected to the positions of chairman and secretary respectively. The archdeacon, who was also present, expressed his pleasure at the progress made by the Scouts. Scout headquarters were represented by Commissioners Wing and Ashman, HAND “SOCCER” TOURNAMENT A peep into the North Dunedin Hall on Friday night would have | shown the place to be filled with ! about 70 Scouts and officers. The : North Dunedin Troop had invited the North-East Valley, Opoho and Knox Troops to participate in a hand “ Soccer ” tournament. The evening proved a most successful one, and a very fine spirit was shown in all the games, which were marked by their evenness and keenness. In the first draw the North Dunedin team played Knox, the game being

' won by the latter team. Opoho then played North-East Valley, and, although smaller in size, put up a very good fight. Keen enthusiasm greeted the North-East Valley and Knox teams as they took the field to play off the final. When time was called the score stood at I—all. In the extended time everyone put his full energy into the game, but the Knox team came out winner by one point. It is hoped in the neat future to hold another of these enjoyable evenings, when we hope other troops will be participating. ROSLYN The troop is going ahead by leaps and bounds, with new recruits appearing at each parade. The Scouts are working hard to make their twenty-eighth birthday a success, and the committee and officers hope that officers of other groups will accept their invitation to attend the special evening on Saturday, As the group Scouter is on leave at present, the troop is in the hands of the Rover patrol, which has recently been formed. It is gratifying to note that, owing to the training these Scouts have had during the last 18 months, they are able to carry on in an emergency. We offer congratulations to lan Scott, who has gained his King’s Scout badge, the first to come our way for a number of years. The Leopards reported 28 strong on Thursday, and after some warming games settled down to first and second star work. R. Sinclair, I. Scott and G. Anderson were all successful in gaining their homecraft badge. Several have now completed two years with the pack, and will receive their stars on Saturday night. The Panther pack had 14 in the jungle on Tuesday. After some relay races the Cubs retired to their lairs and settled down to work. P. Sparrow, N. Walker and J. Donaldson were welcomed into the great brotherhood of Scouting, while William Ewing was invested as a two-star Cub. All then gathered round the council rock while Akela told a story, after which it was time for scampering away home. MOSGIEL A good muster rallied round on Monday, when the evening was devoted to badge work. The new recruits were busy on Tenderfoot work, while the remainder delved into first and second class instruction. During the evening a visit was received from Mr Nelson, from the Timaru Rover crew. Our visitor took the first class Scouts for somej instruction in ambulance badge work. Scout promise closed a good evening. ANDERSON’S BAY A large muster fell in at the Scouter’s whistle. The first part of the evening was devoted to second class work. A discussion then took place regarding work for the hobbies exhibition, rough entries were taken and programmes distributed. It was announced that the committee had decided to hold a concert shortly, so a run through the programme was held. The Beaumont Memorial Cup was claimed by four Scouts, as N. MKenzie, J, Usher, T. Simpson and A. Duffy had all tied in their marks. , NORTH-EAST VALLEY Ten Cubs answered the jungle call on Friday. An inter-six competition in first star work was held. At

the going up ceremony we bid farewell to N. Semple and W. Kinnaird, who have completed their jungle knowledge and are passing on to leam the law of the Scout forest. Several parents and members of the committee were welcomed to the pack meeting, and were impressed by the ceremony. WESLEY Numbers were not quite up to the' mark on Tuesday, but work went ahead just as usual. Two hakas were put under way in readiness for the annual social in July. Scout pace was then held, but this showed that more practice was needed in judging time and speed. Cubber Ashby was a welcome visitor and took the boys for a new game. OCEAN BEACH A good muster greeted the Scouters call on Saturday. No sooner had the troop fallen in than Commissioner Wing, D.S.M. MTndoe and Commissioner Ashman arrived to take the metropolitan inspection. Commissioner Wing spoke a few words to the troop, encouraging them in the good work that was being carried out. Later the troop put in some solid practice for their forthcoming concert, which promises to be a good show.