SCOUT NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 275, 19 November 1937, Page 10

SCOUT NEWS

Thought for the week: “If you cannot be a pinnacle set upon a hill, you can at least stand at the door and give out a bill ”

Scout Concert.—Next month, on | Thursday, December 2, the First Wan- ; ganui East Troop are presenting at I the Methodist Church hall in Jeilicoe | Street, a novel variety concert. They, are sparing no pains to make it two solid hours of excellent entertainment■ and have kept down the admission to | the low price of sixpence for everybody. Those who were thrilled and mystified by Ross Robbins, the conjuror, at the 25th anniversary tea, will be pleased to hear that he is again to present a host of brand new tricks at this concert. Tunes by the Wanganui Mouth Organ Band will be sure to go I with a swing, Mr. E. W. Lee, the wizard at the banjo, ballets and tap dances by the Wright School of Dancing and many other items will make this show too good to miss. Don’t forget to keep December 2 clear. At the clubroom on November 8 B. Willacy was invested into the troop, and P. L. K. Lewis was presented with his cyclist badge. Last Monday the troop left their clubroom for Scott Island. Half of the party went ahead and laid an ambush but the others managed to carry the flag successfully past. It was a clear night and the planets Jupiter and Mars were noticed close together. The method of finding south from the Southern Cross was also practised. After the camp-fire the Scouts hiked back. On Tuesday 12 of the troop spent an instructive evening at the telegraph office where they were shown the methods ot sending and dispatching messages, the operation of the intricate machinery used, including a marvellous device whereby every one line is made to do the work of five. Many thanks are due to the courtesy of the officers in showing the Scouts round. Kawana Test. —That’s that, was the remark passed by a prominent official at the close of the eighth annual contest competed for in the Repertory Theatre on Saturday evening last. How many troops have you in the local association? —you used to have more troops competing for this coveted banner—what’s happened to them all? Were some of the many queries put to officials and in answer one ■ could only shrug his shoulders and i say—surely it must be the times. Pre- i sent-day times get blamed for many shortcomings, but getting down to ’ bedrock, should they? Last year’s test was held about the same date, just a year has elapsed, and to think that in 365 days insufficient time was given by some troops to even make some effort to be on the spot this year with a ten-minute programme with not less than six Scouts certainly does not show the carrying out of the worldfamed Scout motto “Be Prepared.” To those who entered, and particularly to those who produced “something” even if only with a party of two or three, all honour is due. Though a certain amount of disappointment was evidenced, those attending showed their hearty appreciation of the competing troops’ efforts. Castlccliff Sea Scouts were to the fore from the start to the finish, opening proceedings after an overture by Mr. G. Dawson with a series of sea songs to his accompaniment. Then followed St. Mary’s reprsentatives with an item given in good style but lacking in number of performers. Wanganui East was next with its professor in hypnotism “doing” his will completely with those under his influence. Castlecliff Sea Scouts, the holders of the banner notched another victory this year by their colourful production of the play composed by their S.M. and entitled “An Idea,” which proved an object lesson in team work to all in that every boy in the crew' seemed keenly interested to co-oper-ate in putting over a worthy show and doing their S.M. much credit. Gonville’s entry with three Scouts depicted “the end of mother’s busy day,” her hundred and one duties having been arduously carried out for the benefit of her family. Interspersed with other items including an Irish jig by Scout E. Davis, a mouth-organ solo by Scout J. Willetts, Maori songs by Scout Brown, the programme was soon “put through.” Messrs. Watkins, Jenkins, Pope and Lewis kindly acted as judges, Mr. Watkins, at the close, offering some very useful advise and suggestions that if given attention to during the coming year, should prove of considerable help in the production of next year’s contest. The pianist for the evening was Mr. G. Dawson. The final position of the competitors was announced by D.C.M. Gaze, and is as follows:—Castlecliff Sea Scouts, 1; Wanganui East, 2; Gonville, 3; St. Mary’s, 4. Metropolitan Commissioner A. F. A. Woollams expressed the thanks of the association to the judges, commended the troops on their performances, and then presented the banners and trophies won by the troops during the

year, calling upon S.M. Edinger to receive on behalf of the Castlecliff Sea Scouts the Kawana Banner, Rotary

Banner (for the most efficient troop», and the Football Cup (for the winner of the Scout annual football contest). Scout J. Willetts was called to receive on behalf of the Glasgow Eagles, the Cross Country Banner for 1937. Gonville troop will hold their birthday tea at their hall on Saturday, November 20. Wanganui East hold their concert in St. Albans Hall on December 2. Keep this in view. Latest news in cubbing. Notice has just been received of A.C.M. Taylor’s transfer to Auckland. Honk! Honk! —make way for the successor.