SCOUT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 135, 4 December 1929, Page 18

SCOUT NOTES

(By "8.A.M.")

The First Lower Hutt Group is most fortunate in having two of the most essential needs of Scouting— a permanent "den" in which to carry on the game of Scouting and an enthusiastic committee of. friends and parents interested in the welfare of the boys. The combination of these two essential factors has resulted in' the past year's activities being the most successful the group has experienced. One hundred and fifty pounds has been raised by means of weekly dances and a concert and children's fancy dress carnival. The concert held on 12th November in aid of the Christmas camp was given by artists from Wellington as well as local talent, and although the attendance was not up to expectations everyone who was there went away with a glad heart. Items were rendered by the J.J. Dance Band, Mr. V. Tindall, Miss N. Mackay, Messrs. .'. Harboard, S. Burrows, and L. Jones, T. L. Ballantyne, Mrs. Schmidt, Miss J. Andrews, Miss M. Fletcher, Mesdames Henderson and Whittaker, Miss Morrison, and the Group Trumpet Band. The annual children's plain an 4 fancy dress carnival was held on 16th November, when Sir Alexander Roberts, with Lady Roberts, ably judged over 100 children in fancy costume who took part in the grand march. The array of fancy costumes was gorgeous and surpassed all previous displays. Numerous prizes were presented by Sir Alexander Roberts, and special items wjre presented by those taking part. A magnificent bouquet of roses was presented to Lady Roberts, and a buttonhole to Sir Alexander by Miss Margaret Clark. In the evening the final dance and "500" evening was held for adults, when opportunity was taken to show the esteem of the committee for the faithful and untiring services rendered throughout the year by Mr. and Mrs. George Peck, Mrs. Barber, and Mr. Jameson, by presenting each with a token of appreciation. The thanks of the committee are extended to all those who gave donations, and assisted in any.way to make the function such a success.

The visit of Commissioner Hitchins to the Boys' Institute was much appreciated. An Ipise, investiture, and presentation of badges ceremony will take place on 9th December, and a' hearty welcome is extended* to all1 Scouters who can spare the evening to be present. A.S.M. Solomon will receive his warrant. The patrols camped'at-South Karori over the weekend.

The Brooklyn Troop held the final pound night for the year last Monday, which also coincided with a visit from the Rotary Club, and District Commissioner and Mrs. Vosseler. Thirty-one Scouts, nineteen Cubs, and' four Scouters ' were present. Badge work, Cub and Scout games were presented during the early part of the evening, ' the Comihissiouer then presenting the ten Cub badges, each recipient receiving a word of encouragement. The ceremony of bringing two Cubs up to the Scouts was held, followed by the investiture of a Tenderfoot,; and finally the presentation of the Patrol Cup to the Kiwi Patrol. The important : part of the evening's programme commenced with the handing round of the "eats," and an accident (staged) attended to by the Ambulance Badge holders was closely watched by the visitors. An enjoyable evening terminated with the Grand Howl by the Cubs. A meeting, of the committee to deal with camp activities was held during the week. A book recommended by the Scoutmaster is "Campcraft," by .Warren Miller. Twenty-two Cubs from the Kelburn Pack paraded last Saturday afternoon under Cubmaster MacKenzie and visited the Kiwi Camp. In anticipation of the'combined social with the Girl Guides the Scouts have been busy spring cleaning their "den." The annual camp will, again be held at Wallaceville, and the privilege of the Cubs is that seven of their number will.be selected to go into camp with the Scouts.

The-Petone Sea Scouts will hold their annual general meeting in St. David's Presbyterian Hall on Thursday, at 7.30 p.m.; a hearty invitation is extended to all interested in Sea Scouting to be present and learn of the-valuable work accomplished by the company during the year. A special invitation is extended to all members of the District Committee to be present at the annual-meeting. . . . .

Members of the Petoue Sea Scout Company, journeyed to ■ Silverstream last Friday and took part in the concert in aid of the school funds; the singing of sea chanties added to a most successful programme. An interesting comparison is made from the figures presented in the annual report of the Dominion Council just to hand, showing , the ' strength of the Scouts throughout the Dominion. In the North Island ,there ; are ten districts and 34 Lone Troops'with a; total of 7312. The South Island:shows, six, 'districts and 23 Lone troops with a.t0ta1,0f:3496. In the Auckland Province, comprising two districts

and-fourteen Lone Troops (605 Scouts), there are 2436; in the Wellington Province of eight districts and 20 Lone Troops (599) there are 4876; in the Canterbury Province, comprising three districts and nine Lone Troops (375) there are 1787. The Otago Province of three districts and 14 Lone Troops (452) shows 1709 Scouts ami Scouters. These figures repiesent a total of 10,808 Scouts and Scouters throughout New Zealand.

TheD.S.M., Wairarapa, attended a special parade of the Martinborough Troop on Saturday evening last, and found things in good working order. The evening was spent in Tenderfoot and second-class work and games, and some little time was given to talking and thinking about loyalty— the second Scout law. Much amusement is being caused throughout the district at present through the introduction of the game "Feed the Baby race." Scouters who have not already played this game are recommended to try it—see Gilgraft Book of Games, page 80. The D.S.M. attended a meeting of the Martinborough Committee after the parade on Saturday last. A very profitable hour was spent forming plans for a Christmas camp. A meeting was arranged for last Monday night at Greytown, and the D.S.M. to meet the committee there to discuss important matters, and arrange a camp. The Carterton Troop is to be congratulated on gaining two King Scouts. There are_ the first King Scouts in the troop, which has only been in existence a short time. In Masterton badge work has been slack lately, owing to the fact that all work of this kind has been strongly discouraged. During the last few weeks most of the lads have been facing "exams.," and they do not have any time for extras, because their examination work is so important. The next few weeks will be spent in rehearsing and preparing- for entertainments for others and for ourselves.