COMMISSIONER'S LETTER

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 193, 1 September 1937, Page 10

COMMISSIONER'S LETTER

"ROBIN

HOOD".

Dear Scouts,— I am writing to you this week about your badge. I don't judge a Scout entirely by bis bebaviour at tbo troop meeting or in camp, tbe appearance of bis uniiorm, or tbo numbcr of proficiency badges be lias attained. Before I decide what kind of a cbap I think be is 1 like to know if be wears bis Scout badge wken not in uniform, Tbere are quito a number of Scouts wbo are jolly fine cbaps wlien with tkeir troop, are smart and punctual, pass tbeir tcsts well, and always are keen and enjoy the troop's activities. But once tbey are away from tbe otkevs they seexu to forgct tbat tbey are Scouts till next troop meeting conies along, and tbeir buttonbole badge is not tbere to remind tbem tbat a Scout is always a Scout. Tbe buttonbolo badge sbould be looked on as. a sigu tbat a chap remembers tbat be is always a Scout. At all tiines. I know we are sometimes teaseu about being Scouts if wo wear our badge by fellows wbo do not know wbat Scouting is, but we inust put up with that for the sake of tbe movement and of our two million brotiier Scouts. Don't forget it is an konour to wear tbe Scout Badge. It is a sign tliat you bave made a proinise and that you are going to do your best to keep it. It is also a small reminder of tbe great day on wliich you were invested, tbe day on wlncli you made that tbree-fold proinise tbat is found in tlie tliroe paris of tbe Scout badge, The two stars each with their five poiuts rcprescnt tbe ten. laws, a point for eacli law, wbile tbe whole tbing, tbe ficur de lys, or arrow liead, is ijsed as tlie point of tbe needle on a compass. It poiuts tbe way.

So wear your badge to sbow tbat you are proud of being a Scout, and wben tliings go wroug and your patb is a bit difficult, scouting, whiek tbat badge represents, is tbere to sbow you the way. Several chaps lxave asked me recently about tbe reader's badge, and some of tbem seem to tlwnk that tliere is a special list of books tbat they bave to read. Tbis is not tbe case. You bave to have read eighteen books in tbe past twelve montbs, and tbe choico is left to you. But remember tbo examiner is going to judge you by tbe type of hook you read, You will certainly not pass if you read nothing but love stories and tbrillers, but good books can be just as excjting as poor books. Oue book that of course every Scout sbould read is "Scouting for Boys" and at tbe end of each chapter tbe cbief gives a, list of books that be recommends on wliatever subject tbat chapter deals with. Well, 1 don't think we can go far wrong if we take tbe chiefs clioice, do you? | Two otber books by tbe chief tbat [ sbould be more widely read by Scouts are "Tbe Adventures of a Spy" and I "Young Knights of tbe Empire". Tbe former is a series of tlirills from end to end. Have you ever read Rudyard Kipliug's "Kim"? It is a book, and, oue tbat I bave read again and again. If you are looking for something different in tbe . way of bandicrafts and new ideas for camp "Tbe Book of Woodcraft," by Thompson Seaton, will give you all you want. Tbere are excellent drawings to sbow tbe various articles you can make: niocassins, camp-fire robes, wigwams, fire-lighting sticks, bows and arrows, and dozens of otber useful articles. As well as tbis information it tells a great deai about tbe Amcrican Indian, and wben we read tbis book I am afraid wo can not but 1'eel ashamed tbat people of tbe same race as ourselves sbould bave treated tbeir coloured brotbers so abominably. Before lie was spoilt by tbe "Pale Face" the Red Lidian was a remarkable man. Hiker, rider, tracker, hunter, and camper, be was everytbing tbat goes to mako wbat we eall tbe Back : Woodsman. m "Hunting Tower," by John Bucban is a good yarn tbat many Scouts bave enjoyed and there are many otber good yams by the same autbor. I bave only mentioned five books in this letter just to give you chaps a lead. Half the pleasure of reading is tbe adventure of finding good aud exciting books for yourself. Scouting is an adventure, and reading is one of the many scouting adventures. — Yours ever.