SCOUTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18832, 21 March 1931, Page 14 (Supplement)

SCOUTS

NEW PAREORA TROOP. At an enthusiastic public meeting held in the School Room, Pareora during the week, it was decided to form a Scout Troop and a Guide Company, and at the invitation of a number of res'dents, the Commissioner of Scouts, and the D.S.M. attended the meeting. The Rev. Thorpe occupied the chair, and briefly explained the object of callthe meeting. After introducing the Commissioner, who spoke of the aims of the movement and its principles, nominations were called, and the following were elected to act as the Governing Committe of the local Scout Troop:—Messrs. H. Hoskins (chairman).’P. A. Coote (secretary), R. Bee, W. Morgan, E. Longman, and Mrs Nelson. It was resolved that application be made to the Commissioner for a warrent of Scoutmastership for Mr. Thorpe. Before the conclusion of the meeting, a committee of control in connection with the formation of a Guide Company was elected. It was decided to apply for a warrant for Mrs Nelson. The following committee was elected:— Mesdames P. A. Coote, R. Munro, R. Whittacase, P. Sinclair. A. Munro, B. Anderson, H. Hoskins, V/. Morgan and F. Hansen. May every success attend the efforts of these workers for the causes of our youth, and may they have good scouting. The rally was a proud day for the South Canterbury Troops, and although it was a long day, over fourteen hours, we were well repaid with all we saw of the Chief Scout and the Chief Guide. We can feel satisfied with our own achievements also. The tower which was made by the combined Geraldine and Waimate Troops, stood the test of a number of Scouters racing to the top. The camp built by St. Mary’s Troop was noted for its neatness and

arrangements. As the bridge stood the test of all the Commissioners, and a weighty test at that, the effort speaks for ISself. Looking over the bridge, the Chief espied a small canoe paddling downstream, and further up on the opposite bank stood a small fisherman —without a license. Apparent with a sympathetic feeling, for this little fisherman had no luck that day, the Chief spoke a few words of comfort. May all the lessons learnt from this rally by Scouts and Scoutmasters be remembered and acted upon. We have a long way to go yet, but let us hope that more sincere co-operation between the public and the Scout movement will result. It is now up to the leaders of the movement here to “deliver the goods” of good scouting. Scouting has given to large numbers of boys a real change in life, owing to its insistent demand that the boy shall look wide and be prepared to do things rather than talk of them, and we should be the example, if we intend to do our bit. The St. Peter’s Troop held an open field day last Saturday, when the Scouts, accompanied by their Scouter, spent the afternoon at Brassel’s Bridge. Mushrooming appeared to be the most popular pastime of the day, if one may judge from the full baskets of the returning scouts. With the Highfield Troop now becoming settled in their new heme, recruits are rolling in fast, and the work of the Scouter and his leaders will not be light during the coming few months. A portion of the den is to be excavated to-day, and with the adjustment of the different gadgets, the home should soofi be comfy.

St. Mary’s scouts are indeed unfortunate in losing, temporarily, their Scouter, J. Keen, who may be absent from the town for a few months. With the good foundation that this Troop has, we can rest assured that the assistant, Big Bill, will carry the good work on.

SEA SCOUTS. Last Monday evening the company paraded at two bells. The Master presented every boy with a new cap ribbon, a gift from the officers and men of the H.M.S. “Endeavour” at Malta. The boys had a short test in seamanship, and were later shown the first part of the cutlass drill. The shield which the men of the navy are making Tor the Sea Scouts is to be awarded for boat-pulling among the four crews. Last Saturday afternoon a mixed crew went boat-pulling, and showed exceedingly fine form. They were hampered, however, as there was no coxswain. Most of the boys are looking forward to the initiation ceremony, which is to be held in the near future, and are revising the Scout Law and Promise, and several useful hints on Seamanship, which the Master has given : n a series of lectures and demonstrations aboard ships in Timaru. CARPET-MAKING AT HOME. Beautiful carpets are being made in greater numbers than ever with turkey rug wool. The work is just the same as for a rug except, of course, that it is much more bulky. It is worked in strips of canvas which are afterwards sewn together to form the complete carpet. This can quite well be done at home with the help of strong carpet thread. Place the strips together so that the knot's of wool along the side are touching and the selvedges turned down “face to face,” then sew the two strips together as near the wool as possible.

Next turn over the carpet and press the selvedges flat (just as for a seam) and then bind the joining with strong webbing.

It should be remembered that rug wool carpets should never be hung over a line and beaten.