SCOUT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 141, 11 December 1929, Page 23

SCOUT NOTES

(By "8.A.M." Dr. P. C. Fen wick, C.M.G., V.D., late Deputy Chief Commissioner and Honorary Surgeon to His Excellency the Gov-ernor-General, and Colonel on Reserve of Officers, New Zealand • JVledical Corps, is

now Chief Commissioner for the New Zealand Boy Scouts Association. The three Wellington members of the Jamboree Contingent are giving the benefit of their experiences to other troops, and last luesday Scouters Wilkins and Meachen were present at the V.M.C.A. Troop introducing new Gilwell games and relating some of their experiences to the 0"^1 „ Scouter Moss was present at the Kelburn Troop last Friday evening, and related some most interesting events m the life of the Contingent whilst abroad. A visit from Commissioner Miller was much appreciated by the Kilbirnie Troop, ■when various proficiency badges were presented, and opportunity was taken to display the "Moorhouse" Cup for Semaphore Signalling won at the recent competitions. It was most encouraging to see the keen interest taken by the parents, and at the close of the parade the Parents' Committee was reorganised and the following officers elected: Secretary, Mr. Rice; hon. treasurer, Mr. Webb; chairman, the Rev. Mr. Sykes. A band of willing helpers comprise the committee. The Karori Pack had a good muster tinder A.C.M.'s Wilkins and Pickering. Another jungle dance -was added, and the Metropolitan Commissioner told a Cubby Christinas story. Scouter C. Wilkins, late of the Jamboree team, is now Scoutmaster of the Karori Troop. A Rover crew is being formed, and the development into a group is under way. The Karori Troop advise that they will camp ■with the Terrace Troop on Mr. H. J. Eatwell's property at Kawatiri Beach, near Paraparaumu. Visitors' Day will be New Year's Day, and the camp period will extend from 26th December to 2nd January.

All troops camping this Christmas should send in the place, the best route to reach camp, and the period of the camp, in order that the Metropolitan and District Commissioners may be able to visit as many camps as possible during the holiday season.

Deputy Camp Chief F. W. Sandford, H.S.W., H.M.M., has been appointed Dominion Headquarters Commissioner for Training, and is desirous of ascertaining each district's requirements with regard to (a) a Gilwell camp course; (b) a local camp of instruction for Scouters (c) examination for camper's badge for Scouters vide rule 54. Christchurcb, Wellington, and New Plymouth have already had the benefit of Gilwell camps, whilst some time ago Auckland were allotted Easter, 1930, for this purpose.

The Seatoun Troop is making steady progress under its new committee, who are showing special interest in the doings of the troop. Until a short time ago the troop held their parades in the Presbyterian Hall, but owing to this being required for other purposes the committee ■was forced to find a new hall, and the Masonic Hall has been placed at the disposal_ of the troop. The Cub Pack promises well, and continues to grow in numbers under the Acting Cubmaster. The Headqparters Commissioner for Oversea Scouts and Migration writes to the Metropolitan Commissioner, and sends congratulations on the success of the Jamboree Rally held in Wellington. He compliments the very fine contingent sent by New Zealand to the Jamboree; they were most popular wherever they ■went.

The Kelburn Troop is to hold its annual camp at Wallaceville over the Christmas holiday period, and Saturday afternoon last was spent in overhauling all the camp equipment. As showing how keen the Scouts are on their camping, S.M. Fletcher held a trainirig camp for the first-class test, when five boys cycled out to qualify for the journey, and maps and reports were made. Distance judging, signalling, "nnd swimming were also practised. Second Wakelin has qualified for first-class and Missioner Badge. The last meeting of the troop for this year will be held nest Friday evening, a social evening for parents and friends.

During the week-end tlio Mastertori Hovers, Scouts, and Cubs had a very full programme. By Saturday evening the visitors had arrived from Wellington and Petone, the party comprising Major Sandford, Commissioner for Training for New Zealand, Rover Leaders Middleton and Zambra, D.C.M. Gratton, and twelve Rovers. On Saturday evening at the "Den," an investiture ceremony was held, badges were presented, and Major Sandford, who was second in command of the Mew Zealand party of Scouts who attended the Jamboree in England, gave the boys present a very interesting and fascinating talk on his experiences there. The evening was a real Scouty one, hakas both preceding and closing the proceedings. On Sunday evening a record parade of Rovers, Scouts, and Cubs assembled at the "Den" and paraded at their churches. The service at St. Matthew's Church was conducted entirely by officers of the .movement. The first and second lessons were read by Major Sandford, and the District Commissioner respectively, while the chairman of the St. Matthew's Troop Committee preached. In the afternoon a conference of Rovers took place at the Rover "Den," where many matters of interest were discussed. In the opinion of all much inspiration was gained from the talks, and the influence of the visitors; it really was a great week-end for the movement in Masterton.

In the Chief Scout's outlook for October lie writes: "I can't get over that Jamboree of ours. As it lapses further back into the distance of time its proportions show themselves up in fuller perspective, and in some points loom bigger than ever. It marked a huge step forward in the development of our movement both at Home and in other countries, and how far that step may yet go remains still to be seen. But anyway, it is a big outcome of a wonderful piece of team work by willing hearts and brains. And this cooperation was not confined to those within the movement. It is true that Scouters and Rovers of every degree were responsible for a faultless organisation and its administration at Arrowe Park; while the cheery helpfulness and fraternal spirit among the boys made the whole machine run with ease and smoothness. But in addition to this the Press generally .ye

us a very helping hand by supplying an appreciation of the movement fuller and higher than that of the ordinary reporter, and thus conveyed to the public a better knowledge and understanding of the aims and methods of Scouting, together frith illustrations of its results as seen at Arrowe Park. This has been an inspiration to many. One spectator has written to me the words which appear to echo the feelings of thousands when he Bays, 'I shall never forget the two marches past the Royal Princes, and how all classes of almost all the world ivere represented. The heir to our throne, princes, the heir to a dukedom, peers, millionaires, admirals, generals, ex-Prime Ministers, Ministers of State, parsons, doctors, schoolmasters, and all kinds of business men, were in the ranks with the boys of all nations, and all classes, boys from Eton and from small village schools. It ■was great. Then, at the last march past, •when one saw the faces of the cheering boys turned towards the saluting base, one thought of the future. Then the public themselves have everywhere risen to the occasion. At Birkenhead and Liverpool their reception of the boys of the various nations was conspicuously cheery and generous. But the kindness was by no means confined to the Merseyside. In London, as in the provincial iities and towns, overseas Scouts who were touring the country were everywhere received and made welcome to an extent which one had never looked for, and which has made a deep and lasting impression on these boys, and one which they will pass on to their fel-ley-countrymen when they get back to their respective homes in the different corners of the world. This expression of genial goodwill by the British public will have far-reaching effect."