SCOUT NOTES

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 13946, 29 August 1938, Page 7

SCOUT NOTES

(By ‘ ‘ Pathfinder’ ’). Last Tuesday's meeting, although taking place in the school holidays, marked the commencement oi‘ the third term of this year s Scouting activities. The Tui patrol, which now holds the cup for the first time since its origination, will be fairly hard to displace from a winning position next term. However, there is pending, quite a big change around in patrols with several promotions, and this may make the battle more even. Remember that one ot the ibest methods of gaining points is to prevent any being taken off. It would not be fitting to close this section of the notes without a word of congratulation to all the boys who passed tests and gained badges last term but the most praise goes to the members of the Tui Patrol who were “led to victory'’ by Patrol-Leader McKinnon and his second Ted Pratt. THE CUBS. Jhe Cubs will be pleased to hear that Akela, who has been ill for some time now, is progressing favourably and will be back with you m a week or two. Lt will be gratifying her her, when she comes back, if she finds that you have passed a lot more tests and are going ahead with Bageera as your leader, just as wel| as if she and Bageera were both taking you. So Cubs, make sure you do everything Bageera tells you instantly and learn and pass your tests quickly and thoroughly. FELLING TREES. A Soout must know how to use an axe for chopping down small trees and branches. The way to cut down a tree is first to chop out a chunk of wood mar the bottom of the trunk on that sTde to which you want the to fall, then go round to the

other side and chop away on the other side of the trunk, an inch or two above the first cut, .until the tree topples over. It is a matter of practise to become a ; good woodcutter, but you must be very careful *at. first lest in chopping you miss the tree and cut vour own leg. Never play the fool with an axe; it is a dangerous weapon, and when not in use should be kept masked, even if it is only stuck into a piece of wood. Before you start felling a tree make sure that your axe will not touch any branches, sticks or wire in its swing, otherwise it would be liablp to be deflected and perhaps injure someone, most likely yourself. Take care not to -stand behind a falling tree as its top branches may catch -on another tree and cause the butt to fly backwards and hit you a terrific blow.