SCOUTS AND GUIDES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17773, 8 October 1927, Page 16

SCOUTS AND GUIDES.

AY HAT ARE RANGERS? “The name Ranger lias been chosen for the older girls (states “Policy, Organisation and Rules”), because Rangers are people who care for the forests and parks, and see that no harm happens to the birds and the beasts in them. The name with its suggestion of woods and outdoor life is a much more attractive one than Senior Guide. “The Senior Guide or Ranger scheme was started with a double object—that of retaining the older Guides, who under ordinary circumstances would leave their companies at the age of eighteen, and that of attracting into the movement older girls and women who have not previously been Guides, and inducing them to adopt the Guide Laws and ideals. “The following are some of the subjects most important in Ranger training: (a) Citizenship.—To comprise knowledge of housing, public health, laws of factory and workshop, infant welfare, use ol' vote, etc. (b) AVoodcraft. —Camping, especially light camping. All day hikes. Observation of animals, trees, birds, flowers, etc. Study of tracks, etc. (c) Art and Literature. —Visits to galleries, concerts, notable buildings and beauty spots. Camping, library, debates, designing, acting, singing. ((1) Handicraft. —Leather work, book-binding, toy-making, basket work, stencilling. (e) Home Craft. —Cooking with knowledge of food values and economic management. Dressmaking (where this is not taken up as a trade). Child knowledge, hygiene and home nursing. (f) Physical Training.—Physical exercises, outdoor and indoor games, dancing, swimming, etc.” TOPICAL NEAYS AND NOTES. The Forum. (Conducted by “Silent AVarrior.’’) “Silent. AVarrior” will he pleased to receive news items of interest to Scouts and Guides. They should he addressed to reach him, <:/o “Herald,” not later than Tuesday each week.

The following Timaru Cubs have passed their second Star Test aiul have since been presented with their Stars: —G. Kernick. J. Wright, F. AVright, J. Townsend, A. Hunt, H. Atkins and Fred Coker. They are now working for their Ambulance Proficiency Badge, which test the examiner, Mr AY. Jacques, may take them for next Friday.

Last evening the following Tenderpads were initiated as full-blown Cubs: —-Dudley Gumming, AV. Ayres, 11. Newman and B. Castle. The Culis are endeavouring to arrange for an outing this afternoon and an opportunity will ho taken of giving the Culis a test in their signalling abilities.

The following Timaru Cubs have been sucessful in passing their test for the Second Star: G. Kernieh, J. AVright, J. Townsend F. AVright, A. Hunt, F. Coher. Through passing this test the above are now entitled to earn Proficiency Badges and they are all working hard for the Ambulance Badge.

At last Friday’s meeting of the Hlglifield Troop twelve Scouts passed their Second Class Test in signalling. Most of these hoys are ready for their other tests. Three new members put through their Tenderfoot Tests were initiated with the usual ceremony. The roll is now about forty-five. It is hoped to have another field day one Saturday in the near future in order to give all who have not yet passed their fire lighting and cooking a chance to do so.

Timaru Girls’ High School possesses two of the largest Guido Companies in South Canterbury. No. 1 Company is under the control of Captain Marriott and No. 2 Company in the charge of Captain McLean. The various patrols are busy and instruction is being given in the different branches of Guide work. A number of girls are wearing several badges and all are striving to earn distinction in badge work. The companies are to he congratulated on their smart appearance and the officers commended for the enthusiastic interest they show in this splendid work.

Girl Guides assisted in a great cocoon hunt at St. Janie’s Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, London, recently. For some time past these places have been overrun with caterpillars, which spoiled the beauty of the street. A great cocoon hunt was organised by the head of the College of Pesolog.v, who stated that each cocoon taken in the spring would mean 20 fewer caterpillars later, so that if each of the thousand hunters accounted for 10 cocoons during the day two million caterpillars would be eliminated by their efforts. As a. matter of fact, 30,000 cocoons were collected, so that about six million caterpillars were accounted for.

There were Bov Scouts and Girl Guides, AYolf Cubs ami Brownies, Boy Brigadiers and Life Bovs, boys from Barnardo’s Homes, boys and girls from elementary schools, all armed with long bamboo poles with which to dislodge the cocoons and furnished with paper bans to put them in. Tim hunt started and finished to the sound of bugles. There were some minor casualties, and many small people were unusually glad to go to bed at the end of the day.

Pooolc in the vicinity of Girls’ High School after dusk last Saturday night, no doubt noticed that an air of festivity hung about the briahtlv lighted hall where the Guides of Company No. 2 entertained Company No. 1 to a social evening. The hall was full of happy girls who wore dancing merrily. A plain Schot-ti.-che provided great fun especially for the more energetic who jigged on enjoying themselves, regardless of time and music. Competitions- proved entertaining. particularly the nig drawing, which was won bv Edith Hurst. For this competition cadi girl had a piece of paper suspended on her back and each was provided with a piece of chalk. The object of the game was to draw a nig on the hack of the girl in front while all were running round in a ring and keening time to the music. Some very amusing drawings were paraded, the winner lining privileged to wear her pig for the rest of the evening. Miss Aspinnll acted as judge. Among the other attraction-: of the evening was a ping-pong tournament hold for those intei-esled in the game. All too soon came the last dance which was followed bv an enjoyable supper. The singing of the National Anthem brought a very happy social to a close.

1)0 YOU KNOW? That iho tenderfoot scout badge. if clotli. should 1)0 worn on the pleat of rhe left pocket, between peak of pocket Ha]) and bottom, and That the metal badge should always he worn in the lott lapel of the coat in civvies. Than in uniform, shirt sleeves should he worn turn up inside, or cut short at tin head of the dhow—From The Scooter's Gazette. ‘

NIGHT SCOUTING. The night equipment of the scout calls for "a little attention. A stout stall, preferably pointed, a pair of kneepads, and a length ot strong string should he obtained. Isut to return to the actual night, work. It often happens that the zigzag pat'n is the surest, hut after scouting round and passing obstacles, the scout is very apt to lose his direction and "get lost." This makes it difficult to proceed and almost impossible to find the return path. The simplest instrument to use in order to preserve direct inn is the compass. and izpecially useful is the luminous one. In the absence of this a suitable landmark must he used —when avaduble. the stars. If possible distant landmarks should he selected in preference to any near at hand. The ingenious scout will also help him to find'his way hack. The only star in the heavens which does not appreciably move is the Pole Star. When looking at this you are facing north. Since the other stars move in circles round the Pole Star it is not advisable to use them as aids to direction. They move through an angle of 5 degrees in about twenty minutes, so that if these stars were used as guides, in crossing open country fresh hearings would have to be taken every quarter of an hour. When nothing else is available the direction of the wind may be helpful. Finallv remember the moon. A knowledge of its phases will help a -scout to estimate the duration of moonlight. The new moon sets soon after sunset, but by the time it has reached its first quarter it sets about midnight. Full moon shin“s practically all night. When the moon begins to wane tho time of rising and setting gets later and later, and after the last nuarter moonlight will not he expected till after midnight. In the ease of the waving moon the horns point to the left and in the case of the waning moon they point to the right. These facts should bo known bv every scut, but they are often for gotten. They will he found useful for who desire the moon to lighten tUeir outward or inward journev. or. on flip ether hand, desire to proceed without ihe aid of moonlight. GUKANING"

“What we live for is to make the world less difficult for each other.” — George Klliot. We want to pie von t in the next (veneration sonic ol the delects apparent, in the present.”—Scoutme.stersliip. “With most people happiness is something that- is just a day off', but 1 have nu de i' a rule never to put off' being happy till to-nunrcw'.”Badeii Powell. “A nation owes its success, not so much to its strength in armaments as to the amount of character in its ei t izens.'' —Seoutmas tership.