The Wigwam

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 759, 4 September 1929, Page 14

The Wigwam

Here uc gather , here ice meet in porc-ivcnv friendly and discreet. To taUc of earth, and sea, and sky, and watch the world of men go by.

THE MONTHS OF THE YEAR

SEPTEMBER is with us again—our season of sunshine and daffodils. Tlie very name of this month has a musical ring, and yet it means nothing but “seventh month.” the old title given to it when March was the beginning of the year. Just so have the names of October, November and December been retained as reminders of the eighth, ninth and tenth months, though when the calendar was altered and January became the first mouth their names lost their meaning. The names of the other months have interesting origins. January is so called after the two-faced god Janus, and it means looking forward and looking back. In January thoughts of the old year are still fresh in our minds. February derives its name from a Roman festival, Februa, held in honour of the god Lupereus, and March is named after Mars, the god of war. April, the month of the Roman spring, means “The Opener,” and May derives it name from the goddess Mnia. I lie daughter of Atlas. Jupiter was supposed to have turned Maia and her six sisters into stars —that cluster known as the Pleiades. June is commonly said to be named after the goddess Juno, though some claim that this month belongs to Junius. July, which was once called Quintilis, being then the fifth month, was later renamed in honour of Julius Caesar, while August takes its title from Augustus, the first of the Roman emperors. This brings us back to September, our month of sunshine and daffodils, wrongly named yet with a musical ring. Which is vour favourite month, Chiefs and Braves? REDFEATIIEE.

FOR WISE HEADS Word Diamond: T—A consonant. 2 A period of time. :?—A distinguishing mark. 4—A conjunction. 3 A consonant. Answer to last week's word square Grass, Right, Agree, Sheep, Steps.

GIRL GUIDES’ CORNER ! Golden Birch, of the Cavell . Company. reports for August: "The past month has been a very uneventful one. One evening Guide? (Miss Mollie Davey) came round to each patrol with a man’s overcoat. It was supposed that the owner had been murdered. We had to examine the contents of the pockets and later were asked several questions about his appearance, nationality, profession, etc. The Hollies won with 10 points. “The last Guide night was one never to be forgotten. Captain being absent at training camp, and both Guider and Lieutenant being unable to come to tlie meeting, the leaders took control of the evening. Although the programme was a trifle mixed we certainly had a very enjoyable evening. “At the next meeting we have to sing our patrol songs, which we have been concocting for the past month. “Holidays being here most of the leaders are taking their patrols for a hike, and will take the opportunity of teaching the tenderfoots their stalking and tracking for second-class. "Owing to captain’s absence we will not he having ceremonial till the second week in September. “After having won the district basketball tournament our team means to have a good try for the cup.” Bluebird, of the Second St. David’s Company, writes: "We opened our meeting on August 0 with the singing of a hymn. after which the monthly inter-patrol flag was presented to the Robin Patrol. This evening Captain began training some of us for First Class badges. "On August 13. Mrs. McNair inspected us for the Kohn Cup. We were all asked to tie up a fracture of the collar-bone, but, as only two of us have Ambulance badges, it was not a great success. "Our next meeting was held on August 20. At this meeting the com- ! pany library was started. Captain read I to us a letter from a Tahutimai Guide j challenging us to a basketball match ion Saturday, August 31. This we accepted. Our meeting closed with the I singing of 'Taps.' j "On August 27 the following badges were presented:—Child Nurse to R. Geddes. M. Farr. Iv. Watson. M. Corke, 111. Budge, J. Barnes, .1. Shale and M. ; Burton. Needle Woman to J. Shale and M. Burton. Music Hover to •R. Geddes: and Homemaker to J. | Shale, H. Budge, J. Barnes, I. Hills, (and E. Gibson.

“Captain continued our First Class lectures, and Lieutenant is taking Sick Nurse study.” Moon Glow reports for St. Peter’s Company, Auckland: “At the basketball tournament on August 17 we were beaten in our heat by two goals. “A new Guide was enrolled at the beginning of the month, and most of our mothers and fathers were present to watch us work and hear our songs and ditties. Supper was handed round. Then we were dismissed after a merry evening. “Several new girls are passing their Tenderfoot and others their Second Class. “The last meeting was the Second’s night, and they conducted their patrols. "On September 1 we paraded at the Presbyterian Church, accompanied by the Scouts and Cubs of our church, as our minister is leaving.” Wind Flower reports for the Kaitaia Company for August: “We had three meetings this month. On August JO we held a stall in aid of Guide funds. The results were above cur expectations, and we were very pleased. Cakes, sweets, flowers and plants were sold, but no vegetables were available. There were also two guessing competitions. “Our monthly parade, was to have been held on August 18, but, as all the officers were indisposed, it was postponed until a future date. “Captain Matthews, of St. Mary’s Company, Auckland, is home on holiday. and has attended our last two meetings, bringing many new ideas with her. She also presented the first Second Class badge to be gained in the company. „ "We have been taking flowers to the hospital every Saturday. “Last meeting we held a Court of Honour, and Captain decided that no meetings should he held during the school holiday’s. It was also decided that if fine weather prevailed a hike would be arranged.” WITH THE BOY SCOUTS For the benefit of the Otahuhu, Panmure and Ellerslie Troops, a special First Class badge examination was held near Lake St. John on Saturday, August 31. There were 20 candidates. Passes were as follow: Cook’s Badge. —B. Collins (Otahuhu), Cooking. —Darby, Ryan. Segedin, Beetson, Chisholm. Hill, McXarev, Lee. Harris. First Aid. —Chisholm. Darby. Patrick, Hill. Iv. Pople, Allen, Gat ward, Harris, Lee. Signalling. —Skipper. Patrick, Hill, Allen. Judging. —Creamer, Segedin. Harris, West. Hill, Iv. Pople, Gatward. I The following additional passes were | secured on August 24 at Western i Springs:—Signalling. —Francis, Henry, Barnnbv, Wright. Wiltshire, Ashfcrth, Watson. Thomas. Smith. Ness. Ashforth. of the Onehunga Troop, has completed the tests for the First Class badge.

No. 1 Division District Scoutmaster F. L. Walls ad“A successful meeting of Scouters of No. 1 Division was held at West Street last Wednesday, when all troops except one were represented. Much important business was dealt with. A 'Scouts’ Own’ is being planned for the near future. “Leaders of the division are reminded that the next meeting of the Patrol Leaders’ Council will be held on Saturday. All leaders are urged to be present.” An enjoyable evening was spent at West Street last Saturday, when the West Street Troop entertained St. James’s Troop. The programme included tea, games, a sing-song, liaka and competitions. Two leaders of the West Street Troop have completed the Journey test for the First Class badge. They covered the full 14 miles and slept out for one night.

Supple Bow ("Kenneth Bell) is now Assistant Scoutmaster of the North Memorial Baptist Troop. Remuera. and Singing Arrow (Bryan Bell) has been appointed Assistant Cubmaster of the same troop. No. 3 Division The patrol leaders of No. 3 Division met last Thursday at the T.M.C.A. with Mr. K. Dyer as adviser of the meeting. It was decided to hold a district pound night at St. George's Hall. Mount Albert, on Friday, September 6, commencing at 7 ! o'clock, when the leaders will all be | in charge of their own patrols. The annual meeting of the First j Cornwell Group will be held next j Thursday, September 5. at 7.30 p.nt., | at the troop headquarters, the Methi odist Church. Dominion Road. Scouts ! are requested to be present at 6.30 i p - m -

It is hoped that parents will attend to witness a display of work by the Scouts and a play which is being produced by the Hovers. The scribe of St. Albans Troop reports as follows: “On Friday, August 30. we held a jumble sale in order to raise funds for our annual camp. Through the efforts of the troop we were able to make this venture a splendid success, the sum of £ll being collected. Prizes were given to the six boys who collected the most, these being donated by the committee. “The troop is still keeping up its standard, while our numbers are still the same. During the month we have lost four boys, all of whom have moved to a different locality, while three new ones have joined us, one being a Rover. “We now have a Hover Crew of seven boys, under the joint leadership of Acting-Scoutmaster A. J. Jones and L. Loe.’

Straight Feather reports for the Ellerslie Troop: "The “Ist birthday parade, held on August 3, was attended by a good muster of the Ellerslie Troop. When the inspection was taken at the Drill Hall the troop proved the smartest in the division, although ‘unsuccessful in the final. I "The class system. which corui menced in July, has proved a great success. Every Friday evening. More work has been done, and the gaining |of badges has been made much | easier. Twenty-eight proficiency I badges were secured in July, and ! many entries have been received for September 4. the next badge night. "On the last day of the month, First-Class tests were held at Lake ; St. John. Scouts of Otahuliu. Paumure and Ellerslie being present. The | afternoon was very successful, and j iwe shall look forward to another in I j the near future.

“A meeting of patrol-leaders was held at the house of Scoutmaster Walker on August 24. It was decided to appoint Patrol-Leader Hoper to the position of Troop Leader, I while Scout Darby was made Patrol j leader in his place. "The. important coming events arc j the Proficiency badge night on September 4 and a half-day parade on some suitable Saturday.” Great Lone Eagle, of the Devonport Troop, writes: “During the past four Friday nights we have been busy with lectures, badge-passing and other matters. “On the first Friday a visitor gave us a 1 lecture on the Sudan, which was very interesting as he had travelled and fought there. “A social was given on the following Friday evening for the Girl Guides, this being held in our own headquarters. This was a great success, and in return the Girl Guides held a so-

cial for the Scouts. This was also | very successful. “At the next parade night the Fas- | coe Cup was presented to PatrolLeader Matthews, of the Lion Patrol. I To commemorate this a pound night ! was held when boxing, wrestling and games were the chief events. “At the next meeting badges were presented to Troop Leader Catchpole, Patrol Leaders Matthews. Robinson X Evans and O. Evans, all of whom ha\e passed the Fireman’s badge Troop Leader Catchpole and Leader Robinson were also successful in passing the Metal-worker and Blacksmith badge's. “Our further intentions are to prepare the Scouts for First Class examinations and to train two of our Scouts for the boxing tournament, j which is to be held in October.”