SCOUT NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 68, 17 September 1930, Page 19

SCOUT NOTES

By "B.A.M.'

Arrangements are well in hand for the opening of the new Assembly Hall on the Lyall Bay Recreation Ground for the Lyall Bay Scout Group on Saturday afternoon, 27th September, at 2.30 p.m. His Worship the Mayor, Mr. G. A. Troup, has promised to perform the opening ceremony, nnd all old members of the Scouts and ex-mem-bers of the committee are invited to be j present. The building is the result of hard labour on the part of the committee, and especially the hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. E. Rudkin, who has worked tirelessly to raise the necessary amount in order that the building may be an accomplished fact and a home in which the Scouts of Lyall Bay may call their j own, after having been shifted from, pillar to post during the course of the last fow years. Every success to the ladies and gentlemen who have made possible the hall, and may their efforts be rewarded in the years to come in seeing the Lyall Bay Group come into its own once again, j On account of the holiday period the average attendance of the Boy's Institute group shows a slight falling off. Examinations by Station Officer M'Jennett, at the! Central Fire Station, resulted in P/L's M'Kenna and Johns and Scouts A. Meyer and J Barrett passing for their fireman's badge. Scouts B. Gosden and Meyer were invested by S/M Cargill, and are now members of the Great Brotherhood, and doing well. Instructors A. Cleverley and Messrs. O. Anderson and Warden are regularly attending, and the classes are] making good progress. The Scout library has received a gift of a large number of books, which A.S.M. M'Crea reports are of good quality. The group has been fortunate in securing the services of Mr. A. J. Buck as trumpet-band instructor. Assistance is also being given by Mr. Roscoe, an old Scout, in training a team for the district competitions in semaphore, physical drill, and Soccer. The Rover crew, now attending the First Wellington Rovers for traiuing, are doing well, and the director expresses deep appreciation to Rover Leader Meachen for his interest. It is hoped to hold another of the camp fire evenings during next month, and invitations will be extended to all Scouters disengaged—the date aud time to be notified through this column. Dr. Gray, of Khandallah, has very kindly invited the officers and P/L's to make _a week-end camp on his property, which is greatly appreciated, and will be taken advantage of when the weather improves for outdoor camping. M. Tardieu, the French Premier, has presented the Cross of the Legion of Honour to Canon Cornette, Chaplain-General of the Scouts of France. He stated that in 1914 the French Scouts numbered JOOO, but they have now increased to 35,000. The Great Jamboree at Birkenhead last year was a .triumphant success for the French Scouts. He urged the Scouts to cultivate more and more the virtues_ of self-confidence, mutual help, and action. The Cambridge Group Committee held their annual meeting last week, when the Rev. H. Johnson presided. The annual report presented showed that S/M Glover,; in charge of the troop, had maintained steady progress. The Cub pack, under Miss Inniss, continues to do good work, and during the month many happy times were spent around the camp fire, and the "eats" provided were thoroughly onjoyed. Miss Robin presented a totem pole to the Cub pack. The Cambridge group wish to express to the Kelburn group their, congratulations on their twenty-first birthday celebrations. The Chief Constable at Glasgow pays a tribute to the Boy Scouts _ and Girl Guides and other juvenile organisations in his annual report. He says that these juvenile movements have been_ responsible for a considerable decrease in young persons brought into local Courts charged with such offences as housebreaking, theft, and malicious mischief. Sir Percy Everett, who recently received a Knighthood for his many years' work on behalf of the Boy Scout and Girl Guide movements, and who is joint managing director of Messrs. C. Arthur Pearson Ltd., has been presented by his fellow directors with a silver salver. The salver was presented at a luncheon given in Sir Percy's honour at the Savoy Hotel, and was autographed by all present. Members of Messrs. C Pearson's staff, who had been associated with the new Scout Knight for over thirty. years, presented him with a handsome clock, bearing on its face the autographs of the donors. Other workers in the firm have given Sir Percy a pair of silver candlesticks. The Wellington South District have reached the finals in the competition for the Soccer banner, and are now awaiting the results of the matches played in the other districts to compete in the area finals. The Seatoun Troop were the winners of the junior section, and St. Thomas annexed the senior grade. In the Wellington North District, Brooklyn play St. Paul's in the senior grade at Rongotai [next Saturday. Brooklyn were declared winners of the junior grade. The match will take place at 1.30 p.m.

The fourth birthday celebrations of the St. James (Newtown) Group took place recently, when 75 Scouts and Cubs were present, including several old members of the troop. The 'group was glad to welcome Sir Alfred and Miss Robin, and many Scouters and friends. After the playing of games a very jolly party assembled round the decorated supper tables, where full justice was done to the good things provided by the group committee. The birthday cake was cut by Miss Robin, who in a happy speech, wished the troop aud pack "Many Happy Returns, Cth September."

On Saturday a party of eight from St. Michael's Scouts went to Wainui and back. Though, the rain interfered to a certain extent, a good dinner was cooked at the 'Varsity Tramping Club's hut above the river, and the bay was reached again, wet, but cheery. A visit_ was paid by the Metropolitan Commissioner to the group on Monday night, when 44 Scouts and Cubs were present. After a splendid tea the rest of the evening was spent in games. At the Court of Honour plans for the concert on 13th October were discussed. Last Saturday an afternoon hike was held over the Makara hills, and all were well tired when they reached the Karori tram terminus. Au official investiture of the Moera Boy Scouts was held in Stephens' Hall on Wednesday, the 20th. In spite of the unfavourable weather conditions there was a good rally of Scouters and Rovers from Lower Hutt and Petone groups, and a number of parents were there to witness the ceremony. Sir Alfred Kobin (Metropolitan Commissioner), Mr. Jones (Mayor of Eastbourne), the Rev. J. E. Lopdell, Mr. E Nelson (District Commissioner), Councillor D. S. Patrick, and D.S.M. M'Kenzie all took an active part in the proceedings. Mr. D. M'Ewan, chairman of the Scout Committee, presided, and apologies were read from Sir Alex. Roberts, Mr. W. 11. Nash, M.P., the Rev. M. Durrad (Featherston), and Miss Hutson (Moera Girl Ghiidcs). The principal speakers referred to the remarkable progress made by the troop siuce its formation in May. Commissioner Nelson gave the assembled Scouts and Rovers a few useful hints on how to get there, and the necessity tor determination to reach the desired objective. Sir Alfred Robin performed the very •impressive ceremony by investing S.M. Nicholls with his warrant by Ipise. Four Scouts were examined by the b.M. for their tenderfoot badge, and all passed with credit. The supper prepared by the ladies of the Group Committee was done full justice, to by all present, and was a iittiug and pleasant wind-up to the evening. An exhibition of the haka by D.S.M. M'Kenzie and his Braves - and Rovers was a rousing affair. Thanks are expressed to all who helped to make the ceremony and the evening such a notable S"on b Saturday evening, 27th September, at 730 p.m., a meeting, will be held m the Rover "Den" for the purpose ot giving an outline of "Rovermg" in the Wellington urea to all members of district executives.