SCOUTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18629, 26 July 1930, Page 14

SCOUTS

Northdown are doing good work by fostering the Patrol system. Last Friday Second R. Andrews took charge of the Tenderfeet, and gave them a good coaching in Second Class work. Scouters should note this fact and bear in mind that the Seconds should be given their chance as well as the Patrol Leaders, thus preparing them for the higher position. The Highfield-Northdown football match was abandoned, owing to heavy rain, after twenty minutes play. The score then stood at B—o8 —0 in favour of Highfield. St. Mary’s Scouter, no doubt in common with those of the other troops, has spent a great deal of time in thoroughly preparing his boys for the Tenderfoot ceremony held last evening. A Patrol Leader is appointed to the command of a Patrol by the Scoutmaster, who should consult the Court of Honour or the vote of the Patrol. A second is selected by the Patrol Leader to he his assistant and to take command of the Patrol when he himself is away. All Patrol Leaders should have their Patrol Flags, in design—the emblem of their Patrol, mounted on a stave and should be carried, during all inspections by his Scoutmaster, at the alert. If the Patrol system is fostered in the troop by the Scouter and the responsibilities impressed on all leaders, in leaders’ meetings, and in the delegation of instruction duties, the troop spirit will be bv.und to improve and efficiency in the Patrols will soon be noticeable. Without this system, the Troop soon becomes a one-man show, j The Chief Commissioner of the New Zealand Association, when in commence with the local Commissioner and D.S.M. during the week-end, suggested that the Timaru branch make a big effort on a trestle building display during the Rally on the occasion of the Chief Scout’s visit. After discussion it was decided to arrange for this display by the Timaru Troops, in accordance with the wishes of the Chief Commissioner. Probably three or four trestle bridges will be built, with perhaps a tower. Scouters should remind their Committees of the combined meeting of all Committees of Scout Troops to be held in September. Those Scouters who have bi-monthly meetings only should take a special note. It behoves all Scouts to look round lor the regulation stave, during the coming few weeks. A proper stave should be a stick such as manuka, with the bark left on. five feet long (four feet six inches for the smaller Scouts) ; and marked in feet, with one foot of its length marked in inches. Ornamental carvings are permitted. To become a Scout, a boy must be between the ages of 11 and 13, except in the ase of a young man about to become a Rover Scout. He can remain a Scout up to any age. Ho must satisfy his Scoutmaster that he knows the Scout Law, signs and salute. The composition of the Union Jack and I the right way to fly it: the use of the j scout staff; the following knots—reef, , sheet bend, clove-hitch, bowline, sheep- i shanks, and understand their special [ uses; and how to whip the end of a i rope. It is the duty of a committee member to impress upon the boy the j full meaning of the promises which he It to undertake on being initiated. A | combined scout ceremony will be held in the Ambulance Hall next Friday evening for the purposes of administering the Scout Promises and Laws to I Intending Tenderfeet. All Troops are to converge on the Ambulance Hall at | 7.15 p.m. in full uniform, staves and flags. As troop committees and i parents should attend this ceremony in the interest of the movement their ; sons all scouters and scouts will of course persuade their parents and : committees to attend this meeting on the 25th instant.

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