WITH THE BOY SCOUTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 413, 3 November 1930, Page 5

WITH THE BOY SCOUTS

(By Lone Wolf). Chief Honoured Lord Baden-Powell, our Chief Scout, on Sunday was admitted as an honorary freeman of Canterbury and affixed his signature to the distinguished roll which contains the name of Earl Roberts, Earl Haig, Lord Davidson, and Earl Jellicoe. Kent Scouts and Girl Guides to the number of 6000, gathered in the cathedral city for the occasion, and the Chief Scout, as he made his way to the Guildhall, where the ceremony took place, was enthusiastically cheered by large crowds of citizens.

The Certifiate of Freedom presented to the Chief Scout was enclosed in a casket made from ancient oak from the Arundel Tower of Canterbury Cathedral’ It bore the arms of Lord Baden-Powell, the Scouts badge and the arms of Charterhouse School, the City of Canterbury, the See of Canterbury, and the County of Kent. Toothache

At a recent parents’ night held in Wellington the cubs of the St. Augustine’s Group performed a novel good turn. The mammoth ‘ ‘Neverwasaurus’ ’ was afflicted with toothache, which trouble the Cubs removed per medium of a huge rope and much exertion. Thh earned for them the gratitude of th dumb beast, which showed it with joyous, if clumsy, capers. Chief’s Visit

Our sister organisation, the Girl Guides, have requested that we join with them in an endeavour to secure a special train. This the executive have agreed to do- In order that the approximate number of Srouts who will be going to Wellington may be ascertained, all Scouts must notify their bcouter if they are going on or before November 12. The day’s programme proposed is: Leave Wanganui, 7 a.m., arriving at "Wellington between 12 and .1 p.mLeave Wellington about five or six, arriving home about midnight. The Law of the Scout Each week for the next three weeks we will publish a special verse about one of our laws. No. 7 A Scout obeys orders of his parents, officers, patrol leader and employer without question. Obedience is the first fruit or the seed of discipline Sown in the boy at a tender age, not forced, it’s bound to win. His allegiance to law and order, that rook in the shifting sands On which, with God’s good guidance, the British Empire stands. The Scout who’s destined to command must first learn to obey. The orders of his parents, his officers; and they With the wisdom that experience brings, will help to point the way. Jamboree. Our biennial jamboree is to be held from December 27 to January 3, 1931. This year, by request of the Taranaki Scouts, it will be held in or near Wanganui. A strong commitfee is to be set up at the next executive meeting to make all arrangements.

Where? “Where arc the men to lend a hand— Echo it far and wide. Men who will rise in every land, Bridging the Great Divide? Nation and Flag and Tongue unite, Joining each class and creed; Here arc the boys who would do right, But where arc the men to lead?” JOTTINGS. Whilst in Los Angeles, Commissioner Montgomery visited the 107th. Los Angeles Troop. This unit has its own hall situated just opposite one of the city squares. This enables displays of Scout craft to be given, and at nights they have permission to give camp-fire concerts in the square. The troop is 60 strong, and has a scoutmaster and four assistant scoutmasters. American Scoutcrs are allowed to qualify for and wear proficiency badges, and in this instance the scoutmaster held 82 out of a total of 84 which it is possible for him to gain. The badges are worn on a collar Commissioner Montgomery was greatly impressed with this troop, and suggested that perhaps some of the Scouts would like to correspond with New Zealand Scouts.

To groups fortunate enough to own a den, a fine field of outdoor work is open in ’ collecting Nature’s specimens, mounting and cataloguing same, and transforming the interior into a real cabin and Scout'museum. Lord Baden Powell is a great believer in keeping the “out” in scouting. Now that we are entering the fine weather it is noticed that various city groups are making preparations for the annual camps and first-class t</st hikes. The great secret of help is encouragement. An approaching motorist noticed a young fellow recently pick up a nasty piece of barbed wire from the road. Stopping to express his thanks, he was politely informed that a Scout is required to do a good turn to somebody every day. Life-saving medals to the number of 1827 have been gained by Scouts, in addition to a large number of certificates and Royal Humane Society awards.

The Scout movement was first commenced in New Zealand at Kaiapoi, the late Mr T. Mallasch forming the first patrol in May, 1908, the boys being formally invested as Scouts by the late Colonel Cossgrove on July 3, 1908. The Scouts were: Rudolph Mallasch, Eric Gray, Carl Mallasch, and Barton Hoskin. The second troop was formed at Elmwood, Christchurch. Troops then followed in quick succession nt Woodend, Dunedin, Linwood, and Woolston. To Woolston belongs the honour of pro ducing the first King’s Scout in the Dominion.

On Monday evening, at Christchurch. Acting-Metropolitan Commissioner Rich gave a most entertaining lecture dealing with Scouting generally, illustrated by slides and gramophone records, to a gratifying attendance of the members of Toe H at their club room. “Rover” was interested to learn that a certain Christchurch troop of Scouts is looking after the garden of a lady who is an old age pensioner. When these Scouts eat their Christmas dinners they will gather great satisfaction from the fact that they have helped someone else to enjoy the good things a« well as themselves. Commissioner Rich is taking a party of Scouts—patrol leaders— round the North Island, in January and February. They will be three weeks away. Mr Rich will show his well-known lantern slides of the Jamboree. They will meet troops of Scouts everywhere, and will have a fine lot of camping practice, and learn something about the North Island. They are sure to have a topping time, and it will do a lot of good to the movement. Don’t you all wish you were going?