Scout News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 114, 17 May 1933, Page 10

Scout News

Conducted weekly in the interest of Scouting in tho district, and to acquaint the public with the work which Scouting embraces. All contributions should be in the hands of “Lone Wolf,” care 217 Avenue, at the latest Saturday morning of each week.

(fey

“Lone Wolf.”)

It is pleasing to be able to record an awakening of interest on the part of those who like to sec Boy Scout activities get a bit of publicity. “Lone Wolf” has much pleasure in acknowledging receipt of quite a generous budget for this week’s notes. The change to Wednesday appears to be a really popular move. Successful Candidates The Scouting fraternity of Wanganui will have great pleasure in joining “Lone Wolf” in extending to Miss Norrie an# Jack Dowling warmest congratulations on their success in passing part two of tne Cub Wood Badge. These two Cubmasters, of the Westmere and Knox Packs respectively, atended the practical camp at Wellington during Easter, where they did good work. All will wish them the best of luck with parts one and three. “Stick to it! ” Opening Song The following verse, sung to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne,” proves quite popular at a camp-fire:— We’re here for fun right from the start, Pray drop your dignity. Just laugh and sing with all your heart, And show your loyalty. All other camp-fires we’ve enjoyed, Let this one be the best, Join in the songs we sing to-night, Be happy with the rest. Football Entries for the Woollams Cup should be made to members of the Trophies Committee as soon as possible. At the time of writing entries had been received from Wanganui East, Castlecliff and Knox. Sea Scouts Last Friday evening a very enjoy, able and successful “snowbail” evening was held at the residence of Mrs. Taylor. A number of Sea Scouts and their friends were present. Several games were held and competition was very keen. The most successful competitor was Miss Peggy Wilson, who won six out of seven games. The second was Mr. Jack Hodge junr., who won five games. Apple bobbing caused much amusement, more wet hair and faces being gained than apples. More fun was caused by a comic parcel and two or three of the players received most unexpected compliments. After all games and competitions were finished supper was partaken, and t o this all did justice. The evening closed with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and cheers for the hostess. It is to be hoped more of these evenings will be held in the near future. A’ church parade was hold at Christ Church on Sunday and as it was Mother’s Day, each o£ the boys wore a white flower on his uniform. Spare-time Activities Those who have been to a Gilwell camp know that the. Scouts there don’t get any spare time. Yet at the back of the “Gilwell Note Book” is a page for spare-time activities. Every day we were given a sparetime activity to do. When we did it we got it entered up in this page. My! Didn’t we work just to have the Camp Chief scribble his initials in our book and say, “Not so bad.” Below are the spare-time activities given at the Dannevirke Gilwell Camp: (1) i.e. tenderfoot knots and # whip a rope. (2) Saw through a three-foot tree trunk. (3) Make carbon copies of six different native leaves. (4) Give the patrol call. (5) Make personal measurements. (6) Do a lashing. (7) Cook a .damper. How about trying out this idea at your next camp Make it a competition. It’s fun. Marton Rovers Last Wednesday evening eight members of tho First Wanganui City Rover Group journeyed to Marton to attend tho first birthday celebrations of tho Marton Rovers. Quito a good gathering of Rovers and their committee met round tho birthday cake and well-laden tables. Mr. Woollams also presented a Rambler’s Badge to a member of the Marton Crew. The toast list included: “The King,” proposed by R. S. L. Slcssor; “The Chief and Brotherhood,” proposed by A.D.C.R.S. Woollams; “The First Mar ton Crew,” proposed by D.R.S.L. Minnell and responded to by R.S.L. Slcssor,• “Tho Group Committee,” proposed by Rover Wells and replied to by Mr. Gregor, chairman of the committee; “First Wanganui City Rover Group,” proposed by Rover Pete Laurer and responded to by Rover Mato J. Taylor; “Visitors,” proposed by Rover Second Slight and replied to by Rover Mato A. Norrie and the Assistant District Commissioner for Rover Scouts, Mr. A. F. A.. Woollams; “Kindred Bodies, ,} proposed by Rover L. Harvey and replied to by Mr. Davies, of the St. John Ambulance. Home Studies The Gilwell home studies for pari one of the Cub, Scout and Rover Wood Badges should be practically finished by now. Study one is to be in “The Reader’s” hands by Monday next, May 22. It is hoped that all who have applied for these papers will complete them in time First-class Hike What kind of instructions are you chaps given when you start on your first-class journey? This is what was given to one patrol at the Dannevirke Gilwell Camp. At 9 a.m. on Friday the patrol paraded with everything set and tho Patrol Leader was handed his instructions. Ho opened tho envelope and found two sealed letters and a map. One letter was addressed: P. L.

Kereru Patrol. (Not to bo opened till 6 a.m, on {Saturday, April 21). The other ono was: To P. L. Kercru Patrol. Instructions for first day. (To be opened in the “Sun Parlour”). We went to the “Sun Parlour” and opened it. This is what we read: — Dear “Jaw Cracker,” —I’ve heard as how an old bloke “pegged out” some years ago down near Rawston’s farm. He had a nice little bit of “dough,” which he hid down that way. The “cops” have an idea where it is and may get it before us. Get some of the boys and .drop down the Manawatu. River, following right bank to Rawston’s shed near bridge on main road. It is painted black. A stream runs into tho river here. There is a wido track leading up from this stream on right bank. Just above this is a tree stump of light grey colour in which is hidden directions to “the goods.” Follow those out and keep your “eye skinned.” Replace all in-* structions. Judge height of tree mentioned by the “old bloke,” using second tree stump (chief’s method). Bring in specimens of lace bark toitoi grass, silver poplar. Take a plaster cast of any footprints near the Rawston’s place and spend night there and watch police. Leave no clues. Yours, f <‘PLUG PETE.” Next morning when wo opened the other letter we read this:— Dear “Jaw Cracker,” —Get home as soon as possible, but make a sketch of country on right of road opposite Tiratu cheese .factory. Keep eye skinned for police.—“PETE.” Visit to Mangamahu Several members of the Durie Hill Troop proceeded to Mangamahu on Saturday for the purpose of visiting the Lion Patrol, which is now firmly established up there. The first party left at 11 a.m. and arrived thereabout 2.30 p.m., having had lunch on the road. The Scoutcr and Troop Leader left at 2.20 p.m. and got through by 4.35 p.m. They camped at the shearers’ quarters at Mrs. Macdonald’s “Glenaladale, ’’ station and after having tea, all got together for a real sing-song and a merry evening. Sunday was spent in some test work suitable to the occasion- and useful assistance around the place. It was getting dark by tho time they got back from the hills and tea w-s very welcome to all. Another happy evening was spent with the boys and then, after all had a cup of tea the S.M. and Troop Leader left for town at 9.30 p.m., arriving home at 12.30 a.m. The other boys returned with their P.L. on Tuesday, as they had much important test work set out for Monday’s programme. Thanks to the generosity of tho whole Macdonald family, the boys had a great time and were very loath to leave for home. Round the Camp-fire. Ghost stories figured prominently in the programme of items given round tho camp fire last Friday night at the gathering of Scouts on tho Stratford motor camp site, when a number of townspeople attended to swell the number-, to a largo gathering, which with a roaring fire in tho centre forgot the chilliness in complete absorption of the various numbers given. Performers were not lacking, and short sketches, solo numbers, stories and riddles, with a good round of community singing in which tho young voices entered W’ith vigour and rhythm, *inado tho evening a jolly one. Several original items wore presented and tho boys are to be congratulated on their enterprise and the confident way in which they acted their parts, though some of them were not used to appearing before an audience. Th e community “sing” probably appealed more than anything euso as it offered every boy an opportunity to do his bit without having tho eyes of all his fellows on him, and to judge by the volume in tho various rounds all keenly enjoyed the spirit created by a united vocal effort. During the day the Scouts marched to the town, where perhaps the most appreciated point of their visit was tho generous action of a confectioner who supplied the whole company with free ice-cream. Why Travel? Holiday time sees many people “on the wing.” Why? What is the object of. travel? In the New Zealand Railways Magazine Mr. Ken Alexander raises this question and answers it: It is not to run hither And thither to blither Of where you have dallied and dined; Or how you’ve disported Where caliphs once courted , And potentates wintered and wined. The reason for roving Should be the untroving Of treasure—not baubles or pelf But gems undiscovered, Tn vanity smothered, Wich lie in the depths of one’s self. Afghanistan's Boy Scouts. Afghanistan is the latest country to start Boy Scouts, making a total of 47 countries with the Boy Scouts International Bureau. When ex-King Amanullah visited London some three years ago, a demonstration of Scouting activities was organised for his benefit at a few days’ notice. The present organisation under King Nadir Shah is believed to bo a direct result of that demonstration The Afghanistan Scouts have started under high auspices, for their Chief Scout is tho Premier of Afghanistan, H.R.H. Mohammad Hasham Khan, and their International Commissioner is the Minister of Educa tion, H.E. Ali Mohammad Khan. Gift of a Fine Headquarters. Mr. 11. S. Cowper, J.P., has given tho Old Court House, Hawkshead, to the National Trust, with the condition that the premises shall bo used for all time as headquarters for tho Hawkeshead Boy Scouts, subject Io facilities being given to the general public to view the Court House. Mr. Cowper has'had the promises considerably renovated, so that the Scouts have one of the finest headquarters in Lancashire. The pre

mises arc to be formally handed over to the National Trust shortly, when representatives of tho Scout Movement in the north will be present. Good Work Under Difficulties, When a New South Wales Scoutmas ter was in hospital for six weeks re cntly, his Scouts and Cubs came on the lawn near his bed to carry on with their work, and as a result obtained seven wins out of eight entries in a recent local Eisteddfod. The Scouts achieved 91 per cent for a physical culture display, and the Cubs 76 per cent. In tho Open Choir they had to compete against two schools with over 400 boys in each from which to choose. One event was a 20-minute concert parly,” and the Scouts came in third with a perccutagc of 86.