SCOUT NOTES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19503, 9 December 1937, Page 3

SCOUT NOTES

TALK ON PATRIOTISM HELPING YOUR COUNTRY .WHAT SCOUTS CAN DO By "Scoutcr." From the little island of Great Britain have sprung States all over the world —Australia, New Zealand, India, Canada, South Africa, and many others. Almost every race, every kind of man—black, white, or yellow—in the world furnishes subjects of King George VI.

This vast Empire did not grow of itself out of nothing; it was made by your forefathers by dint of hard work and hard fighting, at the sacrifice of their lives; that is, by their hearty patriotism.

People say that we have no patriotism nowadays, and that therefore our Empire will fall to pieces like Hie great Roman Empire did, because its citizens became selfish and lazy, and only cared for amusements. I am not so sure about that. I am sure that if you boys who read this will keep the pood of your country always before your eyes above everything else, she will go on all right. If you don't do this, there is very grave danger because we have many enemies abroad. Therefore, in all that you do, remember to think of your country first; don't spend the whole of your time and money on games and tuck shops merely to amuse yourself, but think first of how you can be of use in helping your country, and, when you have done that, you can justly and honestly sit down and enjoy yourself in your own way.

Perhaps you do not see how a mere small boy can be of use to the great British Empire, or to whatever country he belongs; but by becoming a Scout and carrying out the Scout laws every boy can be of use. "Country first, self second," should be your motto. Perhaps if you ask yourself truly, you will find you have at present got them just the other way about. So wake up lads and join up one of the Scout troops in Gisborne; there is certainly room for the patriotic boy.

Y.M.C.A. Scout Troop

The Y.M.C.A. Scout Troop held its weekly meeting at the Y.M.C.A. on Saturday evening, there being a good attendance at roll call and inspection, which were taken by the scoutmaster, Mr. A. Williams.

During the evening the scoutmaster gave the boys a short talk on their duty to God, taken from the first part of the Scout promise, after which practices in signalling, first-aid, compass and tenderfoot tests were done under the control of the respective patrol leaders and the assistant scoutmaster, Mr. Sadler. The latter part of the parade was taken up with various .games on scouting, which were very interesting.

Mangapapa Troop The weekly parade of the Mangapapa troop took place at the Scout Hall last Saturday, and a good number of lads turned out very smartly dressed for inspection. Tenderfoot work was done under the personal attention of Mr. Marsh, while other branches of second class and first class test work were done under the supervision of the patrol leaders. At present the troop is a hive of industry, each boy working very hard to have a good record of work at the end of the year. The annual break-up night takes place on Saturday, December 11, and we are anticipating a good attendance of parents, as well as representatives from other troops. The district commissioner, Dr. W. A. Bowie, also will be present, as well as some of our oldest workers in the Scout movement in Gisborne. Tolaga Bay Troop During the past two weeks, work has been carried out on a comprehensive scale in the Tblaga Bay troop, and the scoutmaster, the Rev. N. F. Benham, and the assistant scoutmaster, Mr. Thornton, have been working overtime to get their boys through the respective branches of Scout test work, and so leave the slate clean for a good start next year. Of course, at present, the Tolaga Bay Scouts have had extra work thrust upon them in getting the ground ready for the annual combined camp, which will be held at Tolaga Bay this year. Good luck to Tolaga Bay, and I hope you have a very successful time in camp.

Scouters are reminded that next Tuesday night at 7.30 o'clock the final meeting of the local association will be held at the Y.M.C.A. board room, the business to be camp and general matters.