Scout News

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20207, 29 May 1937, Page 18 (Supplement)

Scout News

After to-day should see all you hoys back at school and also, we hope, taking up Scouting in earnest once more. We are, therefore, looking forward to receiving plenty or Scout news from all troops. Don’t rorget the address: “ HAMUTANA,” C/o. 11A Boundary Road, CLAUDELANDS. « HAMUTANA ” ROVERS. Here we are again, sparkling with piles or news. This week we are without our r« Plerre ” and are really missing him However, last Saturday we turned up at the Den, which turned out to be too cola for our liking, so we finished up In “ Fergv’s ” place. After signing the logbook, we went on to a discussion of some very special articles for tills column. We are arrald that -during the next few weeks the Scout News may not be quite up to tlie usual high (?) standard, as we have all got water on the brain with hard thinking. Just when we were on our last legs we remembered the supper which helped to restore us to normal. And while we are normal we wish to send a message of cheer To “ Pierre,” who is at present at Rotorua having treatment at the Mineral Baths. Well,* Skipper, “ Hamutana send a great big health germ and a cheerio. Hurry up and come back, otherwise we will run out of Ideas. . And to our Damien Friends (?) we are waiting anxiously for those notes Tor this column (don’t forget, Bob). HANDICRAFTS FOR WINTER EVENINGB. (By “ Jiff ” and “ Saw.”) Foreword. —Owing to our Inability to publish diagrams in this column, we will give written instructions and those who •wish to obtain plans and diagrams may have copies or same l>y sending a stamped addressed envelope Tor reply to: “ Jig ” and “ Saw.” C/o. 11A Boundary Road, CLAUDELANDS. This week we tell you— How To Make a Buzzer. Here Is a simple method for making a buzzer. All that is required is a piece or board 3Jin. square, a nut and bolt 1J In. long. 2in. or clock spring, two small pieces or brass about Jin. long by Jin. square, and a few yards or 2<i gauge wire. First, wind three layers or the wire round the bolt, having previously screwed the nut on the very end or the bolt. Next, secure the bolt to the block of wood, keeping tbe nut as near the edge as possible. Now fix on piece of brass in an upright position 3 -16ths In. rrom the head or the bolt. The other piece or brass must have the clock spring fixed to it, and then mounted in such a position on the wooden buse that the loose end or the clock spring lies touching the first brass block. Next comes the wiring part of this model. First take a wire from a battery to brass block No. t. Now from brass block No. 2 to one end or wire wound on bolt. The other end of the wire from the coil is taken to tlie battery through a switch. This is a very simple type and has no adjustment or tone. However, if any readers want plans of a more elaborate type of buzzer they may obtain them by sending three penny stamps to the above address. (IT you are interested in these articles by ‘‘Jig” and “Saw.” he sure to read next week’s Scout News when we will describe another working model). GAMES. Seeing that most local troops are commencing activities this week we offer you a fine rousing game to play one cold evening. A basket or a pail or any other rccepi tacle for that matter, is placed at the end 1 of the clubroom as a base, and one or the Scouts carries a slipper. All the players I—as many as you like—spread out, and

By "Silver Wolf"

the man with the slipper must endeavour to hit one or them with his dangerous weapon. If he Is successful, he must Immediately run to the pail and put the slipper In It. The man who has been hit must at the same time try to touch the slipper fellow before he can get his weapon In the pall. IT the slipper is deposited In time, tho man who has been hit must take tbe slipper and start again: IT he touches the other before the slipper gets into the base the slipper man must have another go. And so the game goes onr—fast and furious. THINGS YOU WANT TO KNOW. If you ever see a broom tied to the masthead of a boat. It does not mean that someone has been playing a practical Joke, but that the owner of the boat wishes to sell It. It Is not certain where or why this practice originated but here Is one feasible explanation. In the old days, when not many people could read a written sign, “ For Sale ” would convey nothing to them. So the owner of the boat, who himseir was also probably unable to write, would hoist the broom to show that he meant to make a clean sweep of bis boat, sails, oars and gear. The sign, being a fairly obvious one, was therefore kept In use even when everyone could read.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK. Laugh, and the world laughs with you—weep, and you weep alone.

TROOP NEWS. Claudelands: ATter an absence or six weeks, we met last Monday night. There was a good attendance of boys and we commenced activities at 7 p.m. Roll call was followed by semaphore and Scouting games. We hope Skipper “ Pierre ” will soon be with us again, also that next week we will have a full parade and be able to get down to Scouting In real earnest. St. John’s, Hamilton East: At last, arter having been closed for a Tew years, we again appear upon the scene as an organised Scout group, with committee, two Scoutmasters, and two patrols—come on you chaps and help bring the old troop up to full strength. Parades will be held every Friday at 7 p.m. sharp. On the lGth April last, the Scoutmaster and Troop Leader invested four- boys, whom we welcome to the great brotherhood or Scouts. Last March we held a parents’ meeting In connection with the troop. There was a good attendance, and a committee was elected, Mr Mutt being elected as chairman, and Mrs Young as secretary. It was found that there was a small amount of money available from the old troop in the Post Olllce Savings Bank. The trustees will transfer this money to the present trustees, Mr Ilutt, Mr Watkins and the Scoutmaster. Ngahinapouri: On the 29th of last January we were fortunate in being able to camp for a few days, and oh boy! was it wet on the dav we went to camp. Thanks to Skipper Marks, of Te Rore Group, for aiding us greatly by helping us to get the camp straight, and Tor conducting the campfire. On the Saturday we went for a hike up the mountain, nut when Bald Spur was reached we decided that we had done turned to camp. Sunday, being visitors’ day, several parents and friends of the troop visited the camp and beTore leaving complimented the Scouts on their cookOn Monday we again climbed the mountain, this time reaching the top. On Tuesday we cycled eight miles to Karamu Caves, but unfortunately we could not procure a guide. SPECIAL NOTICE TO NGAHINAPOURI. It Is up to you, in the absence of your Scoutmaster, to do your best until the Skipper can arrange for Mr McKenzie to come out to Ngahinapouri. Please carry on with morse and make sure that you are al! carrying out and practising the laws of Scouting. “ H AMUTAN A.” (Continued In next column.)