Scout News

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19759, 14 December 1935, Page 20 (Supplement)

Scout News

SIXTH SCOUT LAW. A Scout Is a friend to animals. DISTRICT NEWS. The Rangers’ “party” last Monday evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all and sundry. Tea consisted ol' cooked sausages and “galloping guinea-pigs,” and a little bird has whispered that the Rangers hope the Rovers will cut longer twigs for tho latter n'ext time as the Rangers objectto burning their hands while cooking. A very Jolly meal was followed by a campflre, Scouters and Rovers doing their share by putting on the stunt, “There ain’t no Santa Claus.” We all had a great time ' an'd have already accepted the next Invitation In advance (but Silver Wolf thinks the compliment should be returned first, so go to it, Rovers.) ROVER NOTES. Hamilton Crew. On Monday evening we were represented itr strength at the Rangers’ campfire and had a very pleasant time Indeed. Rangers, we thank you Tor asking us along and hope to return the compliment some day. We close Den Tor the Christmas vacation with our next meeting (already held) and meet again on Wednesday, February G, at St. George’s Hut. TROOP NOTES. St. Patrick’s (Te Awamutu). Last Friday night our Patrol competitions were started and lashings, knotting, first-aid, signalling, etc., competitions were the order of the evening. Some keen work was shown, especially by the Seagulls In the signalling, which they won hands down. In the long run' the Owls won by one point. On Sunday morning the Troop paraded at Mass in uniform and made a great showing at the Altar Rails. In the afternoon In glorious weather we' hiked and hiked out to Baxter’s pool on the Punlu to do some fire-liglitlng and cooking. Some fires went and others went out; what was cooked was at least eatable. After dinner and a ramble we went boating and swimming, an'd thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Nicely pink about the back we packed up at 4.30 p.m. and went home. A glorious outing, and we have hopes or more. Te Rore. Our meeting last Saturday was held on the banks (and In the water!) or the Walpa River. We practised tent pitching, stalking, first-aid and compass work. A new game, “The Sleeping Pirate,” proved very popular, and then we had a swim before lunch. Some of us swam on the bank, certainly, but we all enjoyed it, especially someone’s efforts at diving backwards! , In the afternoon we learned how to fold the blankets for a camp bed, and had a yarn on camp cooking. A little signalling practise and another swim completed the first part of "the day’s Scouting. In the evening we met again and the campfire was lit with due ceremony. Skipper told us a yarn about King Arthur’s Knights, arter which our Investiture was held. Dick Finn was Invested as Patrol Leader, while John and Mervyn Garrett, Keith Kesby and Bruce Whale made their promise as Scouts and were received Into the Great Brotherhood. We meet again next Saturday, after which we shall close down until our Camp, which is to be held early in January on Mount Plrongla. St. James’. Last Wednesday we had 10 on parade. Arter Inspection and roll-call the S.M. gave us a talk as he had to leave early. Our programme then commenced with a knotting relay race, followed with camp preparations. w- had a game of freeze-ball mi -Used oitr anibulan'co item r _> evening. One

“By Silver Wolf”

new recruit Joined us, whilst another passed his Tenderfoot test. In addition' to an extra meeting on Wednesday, we are holding our break-up evening on Thursday, when the Committee are entertaining the Scouts and Ctibs to supper. So far as we know we hope to have a full Patrol attend the District Camp. Ohaupo. „ , Last Saturday we just simply got down to hard work and practised for the Rally. To-day we have our break-up party to close the year’s activities, and we are looking forward to having a Jolly good time with our parents present to see Just how much good we are deriving from our training. We know they will be pleased and enjoy themselves. 8 St. George’e. Last Saturday “Miss Effort” was brought back to life and Jim and Hendy, with the D.C.M., set out Tor the camp site with our gear; After dropping us the D.C.M. went on' to Cambridge. The two P.Ls. then set to work to get the tent pitched. After this we made a cup of coffee which went well with biscuits. About 5.30 p.m. Fergy of Claudelands arrived and we soon had tea. This comprised coffee, sausages, bread and jam and biscuits. After tea we went rambling for an hour, and on returning to camp turned in for a read. Lights went out at 9 p.m. : we woke up at 4 o’clock on Sunday morning and read until about 5.30. We had breakfast over by 7, and arter doing some work about the camp we set out to investigate the bathing facilities. The most suitable place found is about 500 yards rrom the site and consists or a sandbank a hundred yards long and about Torty yards wide. At the northern end of the sandbank there is a shallow place suitable lor the smaller boys. Arriving back at camp at 10 o’clock we started In to prepare dinner. As we expected the D.C.M. and Ills family ror dinner we cooked extra rations (without dropping the spuds in the mud), and owing to a most unfortunate .experience with burnt rice some time ago, we rell back on preserved plums for pudding. The D.C.M. did not 'arrive for dinner, so we did ourselves tremendously well, some even attempting a second helping of plums which were not as sweet as good (?) Scouts like them. We appreciated the compulsory rest period after dinner. More work followed, and at 3 p.m., with the arrival of the D.C.M., we had afternoon tea, followed by a round-table discussion as to ways arid means or further improving the site. . At 5 p.m. we struck camp and returned home. Monday evening found us at the Hut carrying out strenuous practise for the Rally, enlivened occasionally by games.

PACK NOTES. St. James. Last Saturday we Joined the St. George Pack at their lair and then xve all went to the Lake, the meeting being held near the model yacht pond. It was great fun watching the two models. We had some games and then did the Bagheera Dance. We took afternoon tea with us, and while we were playing, Jack and Air boiled the billy, then we all had tea. Two boys set out to lay a trail while the rest of us had a look around. Then we set out on the trail, and it was a great job following it up. We found they had “gone home” at tho entrance to the Lake, so we followed them to St. George’s where we llntshed up with a big Grand Howl. We are meeting again on Tuesday evening with the Troop when, we hear, the Committee, are entertaining us all to supper. That will be our final meeting for the year, and we all join in wishing our brother Cubs and Scouts throughout the district a verv happy Christmas and Good Hunting for 1936. ~, ,