Visit to Troops.

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 137, 7 December 1938, Page 24

Visit to Troops.

During last week "Rama" visited two troops, St. Peter's on Monday and the Collingwood Sea Scout Troop on Tuesday. In the latter case he was accompanied by the Dominion Headquarters Commissioner for Sea Scouts Captain Spence, and both were well pleased with the general smartness and keenness of the troop and congratulated the Scoutmaster and his assitants thereon.

Break-up Parties

At this time of year there are a number of breaking-up functions in troops and packs. Those occurring shortly, of which we have received advice are: December 9, Ist Kelburn and St. Mark's; December 13, The Terrace; December 15, Roseneath.

Ngaio Group

The Ngaio Cub and Scout mouthorgan band celebrated its first birthday recently when the parents were entertained with several items under the leadership of Geo. Johanson. The ad-j dition of an accordion and a guitar raised the standard of the band, which, considering its infancy, has achieved wonderful results. The idea of the band is to perform at entertainments and so help towards the raising of funds for the Ngaio Scout Hall. Tea and the cutting of the birthday cake concluded the celebrations.

British Contingent

The British Isles contingent of 19 Scouts, two^ Rover Scouts, and six Scouters. to the Australasian Jamboree sailed from Southampton by the Esperanco Bay on November 2. The -Jamboree will be held at Bradfield. about nine miles from Sydney, in typical-Australian bush country, from December 29 to January 9. Between 10,000 and 12,000 Scouts from all parts of Australia, various parts of the Empire, and several foreign countries are expected to attend. The Scouts selected to represent Great Britain are from Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire Devonshire. Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Leeds. London, Middlesex, Surrey, Worcestershire, Yorkshire, Scotland, and Wales. They are under the leadership of RearAdmiral Collins, C.8., R.N., Assistant County Commissioner (Scouts), Berkshire, who is assisted by Lieut.-Colonel M. B. H. Ritchie, D.5.0., Assistant County Commissioner (Rovtr Scouts), Inverness-shire. During the voyage a programme suitable for camp-fire items at the Jamboree will be arranged. A course of physical training will be given by Colonel Ritchie, who will also assist in cases of illness or accident. Mrs. Ritchie, who is also on board, although not in any way connected with the contingent, has offered her services to do sewing or other domestic duties which the contingent may need. Special arrangements have been made for a Scout welcome at each port of call, and, where time permits, as at Colombo, a motor coach tour has been arranged.

A warm welcome awaits the contingent on its arrival at South Australia on December 7. There the Scouts will stay in the homes of Australian Scouts, ■ and Admiral Collins will be the guest of the Governor of that State. The ctay will be for a few days and then the contingent will set out on a 14-days' motor coach tour through South Australia and Victoria to Sydney. The boys will have the pleasant experience of spending Christmas in the homes of Australian Scouts in Sydney, where they have been invited to stay for a few days before entraining for the Jamboree. After the Jamboree the contingent will take part in hikes and sightseeing tours until they leave for England on January 25 on the Jervis Bay. On their way back they will visit Cairo and the famous museum there.

The Cairo Scouts are arranging a great welcome.