OF INTEREST TO SCOUTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 89, 6 July 1927, Page 14

OF INTEREST TO SCOUTS

On Friday July 1, a meeting was held at St. Aldan’s Parish Hall. Remuera. to form a troop committee, Canon Williams being in the chair. Mr. R. f Grigsby, Auckland District Commissioner. and Mr. E. B. B. Boswell, District Scoutmaster, were also in attendance. During the evening Mr. Grigsby, on behalf of the Dominion Boy Scouts’ Association presented Mrs. A. E. Roughton with the association's long service medal, and congratulated her on her long and successful career as Lady Cubraaster of St. Alcan's cub pack. Mrs. Roughton. lie .stated, had the honour of being the first to form a wolf cub pack in the Dominion, this being St. Aidan’s. Or. the night of Wednesday, July 6, the Scouters' Association will meet to discuss future inter-troop activities in connection with sports and trophies. A pound night will be held at Avondale on July 15, when each scout must bring a friend and a pound of something. Games will be indulged in, and much merriment may be expected when the packages are opened and their contents laid bare. The annual meeting of the Judean troop will be held in the clubroom. Wyndham Street, on Sunday, July 17. Elsewhere in the Wigwam page will he found a letter written by the Chief Scout after his visit to the Dominion in 1912. I hope you will all read this. The following extracts are from an account of an interesting trek, forwarded by Grey Wolf, of the Avondale troop: ‘As my friend and I left Avondale the weather was fine, although a blanket of fog hung over the place. We caught the train, and arrived at Glen Eden at about eight o'clock, and from the station we proceeded down West Coast Road, where, in the distance, could be seen the tops of the ranges, clad in bush. Just recently new shops had been erected opposite the station, and outside these were two St. Alban’s scouts going to camp. Many glasshouses were to be seen, while across the road was a football field, where some children were playing. Here, too, were several orchards, their tres laden with juicy red apples. The roads were rough, and made of metal, while great clay banks surrounded them. We then scattered, and soon we passed over a bridge known as Parr's Bridge, around which grew many evergreen trees. Here we rested beside a stone fireplace where some picnickers had lately enjoyed themselves. . . On the second range a few houses were scattered, and son we passed over Kelly Bridge and up Nihotupu Range, or the Blue Mountains, where a boarding house stood. Here we noticed a gully of ferns, with a brook running through. The roads were of clay, with bushes on either side. In the distance lay Rangitoto, and a stretch of harbour. A sea scout gave us some water, and a handful of apples, and at last our scoutmaster said that we had completed our 14 miles. We boiled the billy, and went in search of firewood. Kauri trees, many of them over 20 feet in girth, surrounded the place. The chiefs and braves will regret to hear that Grey Wolf is at present on the sick list, and will join me In wishing him a complete and early recovery. —Redfeather. GUIDING LINKS IN AN ENDLESS CHAIN What wonderful thoughts that word arrests in me. In my mind rises the picture of an everlasting chain of Guides, neat and trim in their uniforms of navy blue, marching in perfect time to the roll of drums. It i 3 a world-wide chain that links up girls of every nation, country, and town, whether they be rich or poor, or whether their countries are foes or friends. It is the great chain of sisterhood that is daily increasing, and strengthening each link, and that proudly defies failure or weakness, with honour and loyalty its standard, and beautiful ideals its banner. It is the sacred promise which challenges that honour and forbids weakness to sever a link. Guiding is filled with happy friendships and service to others. It is a happy Guide who has sought for and found the joys of good turns, and it is to the Guide with the all-round knowledge that people can appeal for help. How many instances can be recalled of the worthiness and courage of Guides who have, with stout hearts and strong minds, prepared themselves to risk their lives for others, thus obeying their watchword: i “Be Prepared.” Yet Guiding is reverence in itself. It fills one with respect and love for ones King and country, and its fcymbol, the Union Jack. One feels

the sacred influence when the Union Jack is hoisted and the National Anthem sung. And again, at the end of a happy camping day, when we sit together round the reddening fire, another deep influence lingers over us and holds us in its spell until the last ember dies. Thus that great chain marches ever on, seeking to help the world with its willing hands and cheer it with its happy smiles —an eager band of pure, healthy girlhood. —Eyes of the Morning. (Ruby Blair). THE ANEMONE An old story tells how the anemone or windflower was once a beautiful maiden beloved by Zephyr. Then the goddess Flora grew jealous and changed her into a flower, which often grows in places swept by the wind. Zephyr forsook her. but the goi Boreas tried to win her love. She disdained him — and so, in anger, he shakes her every . spring anew*