SCOUT NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21855, 4 November 1932, Page 9

SCOUT NOTES

(By

"Pathfinder.”)

Will Cubbers note that a meeting of all cubbers is called for Friday evening next week (11th inst.) at the Gladstone cub-house.

Next week we hope to publish the first instalment of “A Wolf Cub’s Dream” by “Gilcraft.” Wyndham Birthday Party.

The Wyndham Troop held, on Friday evening last, a very successful party, at which were present the local Girl Guidg Troop, the committee and parents of the Scouts, and many others who are interested in the Scouting Movement. This party was in celebration of the fourth year of useful activity. During the evening an opportunity was taken to demonstrate to the parents and others, the valuable work taught in Scouting, such as signalling and first aid, these demonstrations bringing forth favourable comment and being much appreciated. Many very amusing games were played, these being interspersed by items and hakas from the troop. The feature of the party was the halfhour entertainment given by Leaders C. Baird and W. Richardson and Scouts S. Richardson and G. McKay all of whom were taking this opportunity of gaining their Entertainers Badge. Their programme consisted of choral numbers, pianoforte duet, juggling tricks, ventriloquism and a mock orchestra which terminated their splendid performance. At a suitable interval, four 'renaerfoots were made members of the Great Brotherhood of Scouts, by being invested by Scouter M. Rice after which ceremony supper was served. The birthday cake which was generously provided by the president, Major S. Rice, was severed in small pieces, the knife being in the hands of Edward Pankhurst, the most recent recruit, and all sampled the cake’s nutty flavour. At this stage of the proceedings the president addressed the Scouts and Guides. He was followed by Mr C. E. Davey who said he appreciated the work done by the troop. The happy and pleasant evening was terminated by the troop giving their closing ceremony. A very welcome addition has been made to our troop, for we now have an Assistant Scoutmaster in Thomas Jellyman who has joined us after severing his heart from Otautau. We extend our sympathy to the Otautau troop, but at the same time are jubilant that their loss has been our gain. The Battle of Belgravia.

The scene is laid in the beautiful old grounds surrounding the home of Mrs Todd, Waikiwi. The time was last Friday evening. Rumour hath it that a vast horde of enemy from Makarewa are moving overland intent on bombing the temporary headquarters of Gladstone and Waikiwi who are concentrated about the bush at Belgravia. However, the latter Troops are soon acquainted of the proximity of the raiders and lose no time in preparing a stout resistance. Sentries are posted at copvenient spots and the defenders in patrols move silently about the five acres of bush intent on catching the enemy on his own ’ground, for offence is the best means of defence. However, the raiders are somewhat fatigued by their forced march and it is nearly dark as they set their wits against those of the Gladstone and Waikiwi combination to try to break through the lines of defence and set a match to the bomb known to exist in the centre of the bush. Not a sound is heard, figures move stealthily from post to post: the enemy slowly and silently approach. A patrol of defenders scouts the raiders, a noiseless and sudden attack leaves casualities on both sides—for when a Scout loses his neckerchief which was looped through his belt, he is a dead man. However, the Makarewa horde closes in, the defenders are suffering severe losses, when at a given signal they fall back to form a square around their danger spot and fight to the last. On come the raiders—Then follows a terrific pitched battle, one of the raiders cleverly breaks through the defensive square, places a light to the bomb, a fizzle, a splutter and then with a terrific roar the bomb ignites and so on sweep Makarewa to claim victory after a hard battle lasting nearly two hours. However, in traditional British style the enemies soon, very soon, make friends of each other, the dead come to life and all assemble on the lawns near the house. It was then discovered that all told, attackers and defenders numbered some 85. The combined forces then joined together to partake of the wonderful hospitality of Mrs and the Misses Todd. The thought that prompted our hostesses to provide supper was surely one of extreme generosity and kindness, and they did it well, as each Scout testifies. It is truly refreshing in these times when everybody is looking glum and talking depression to step as it were into quite a new sphere of happiness and joyful hospitality. The haka and cheers for our hostesses close the scene of the mighty battle of Belgravia.