SCOUT NOTES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19555, 10 February 1938, Page 8

SCOUT NOTES

PARADES RESUMED GOOD MUSTERS RECORDED CAMP FINANCES BY "Scouter" Last Saturday the first parade of the year for Y.M.C.A. Scouts was held in the Scout hall and an attendance of 1!) answered the roll call, and were inspected by Scoutmaster A. Williams. A very instructive talk on hygiene was given by Mr. Williams, who told the boys all about the internal organs of the "body, and the need for cleanliness inside the body as well, as the outside. Scout games were carried on until break-up time. The next parade lor both troops is set down for next Saturday. Mangapapa Troop There was a good muster of the Mangapapa troop for the first parade of the year, held last Saturday, when the time passed all too quickly with competitions, games, and a talk on the programme for the coming year. Two members of the Ruatoria troop who are living in Gisborne now were welcomed into the troop. Patrol Leader J. Mulooly and his brother Harry will be useful additions to the troop, though a loss to Ruato.ria. We have some good ideas for this year and there will not be one dull moment at parades or outings. Scout Committee A meeting of the Poverty Bay committee was held in the Y.M.C.A, on Tuesday, those present being the Rev. N. F. Benham, chairman, Messrs. A. Williams, G. H. Foote, P. Sadler, -L. Marsh and L- W. Andersen, hon. secretarv. Apologies for absence were received from Mr. A. Livingston. A letter was received from chief commissioner, Mr. H. Christie, complimenting the camp chief on the success of the camp. A financial statement for the camp was presented by the chairman, and showed a substantial return to each troop, which was very gratifying to those running the camp, as well as to those otherwise connected with the movement. Following a discussion on how to increase the membership of each troop, it was decided to let the respective'Scouts to use their own initiative. The Mangapapa Boy Scout Committee is again reminded that next Tuesday the first meeting of the year will be' held in the Scout Hall, Bryce street, Mangapapa. A full attendance is requested. Tolaga Kay Troop

The scoutmaster leaving returned from his holiday in tlti South Island, the first parade of theftoop was held in the Parish Hall last Friday, there being a fair attendance for a damp evening. j

The usual Scout activities were carried out, and in plr»ce of a camp fire the scoutmaster gave a talk on the publication "Rising Tide." Scout parades will be held on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon this week, and the troop will parade in force for the combjned service in connection with the school reunion on Sunday, February 20. On a recent afternoon the Rev. N. F Benham, camp chief, presented Mrs. O. G. James with a "thanks badge" in recognition of all the help that she and Mr. James gave to the recent Seoul camp.

A SCOUT STORY "THE COWARD" "Come on, you chaps," said Bobby Adams. "We'll soon run the Kiwis lo earth! They've taken to Homleigh Woods!" It was a Saturday afternoon, and the Pee Wit Patrol of file First Homleigh Troop was trailing the Kiwis Patrol. Tin- object ol the Kiwis was to leave as few signs as possible ot the way they had taken, but so far the Pee Wits had little difficulty in following them; in fact, they were gradually overtaking them. Bobby Adams was the leader of the Pee Wit Patrol, and as he made his way across a paddock that led towards the bush beyond Homleigh Lake, the other members of his patrol strung out in single file behind him. He had caught sight of a brown coloured scarf just entering the trees. The Pec Wits broke into a run and, crossing a road, headed for an old mill that stood beside a narrow stream of foaming water that used to work the water- wheel. The stream ran from the lake, and the Pee Wits had to cross it to gain the bush. .lumped Across the Stream

There was no bridge at this part of the stream, but this did not deter the Scouts. They carried their staves, and as the stream was fairly narrow at the one point they were making lor, it would not be a difiicult job to leap across. As Bobby, the leader, approached the stream, he increased his pace, his patrol doing likewise. The nearer he drew to the stream, the faster he ran. A yard from the bank he set his stave firmly in the ground, and over he went, to land on both feet on the opposite bank. Bobby was quickly followed by Steve Carter and Fred Burns.

"Good oh, chaps," exclaimed Bobby, as they landed safely, one after the other. "Come on, Lance, don't hesitate!"

Lance Robertson was the fourth to attempt the jump. He was not quite so big and strong and lithe of limb as the others, and was rather nervous. Still, he planted the end of his stave firmly in the ground and pluckily put forth all his strength into the leap. Before Lance's feet left the ground he had his doubts about reaching the other bank, and he was right; he leapt a good two feet short.

Lance Fell In

With a yell of dismay Lance fell into the • fast-running water, where the strongest swimmer would have had difficulty in battling against the current. The steep banks on either side afforded no hold, and the current swept, him away towards the deep waters of the lake. "To the rescue. David!" yelled Bobby Adams. David Lansbury was Lance's particular chum, and as he was the best swimmer in the Homleigh Troop, the rest of the boys fully expected him to go to Lance's rescue. For a second David saw his chum's white face in the water aimed towards him, then David arched his arms, and poised on the bank.

Suddenly, for no reason apparently, down came David's arms again, and glancing around with a startled expression on his lace, he raced furiously away towards the road. (To be continued each week.)