Boy Scouts and Cubs

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 26 November 1927, Page 15

Boy Scouts and Cubs

Py

“Pathfinder"

SAVE THE FORESTS. Around the evening campfire red, Beneath the stars and moon, Where seated twenty Boy Scouts tired; They’d worked all afternoon. The forest on the mountain- side, Yes, just across the lake, Was all on fire because a man Precautions did not take. At noontime bright he left his camp, His lire was smouldering low, While all around lay nioss and twigs, The kind to make fires go. A spark flew up into the air, And then it downward sped Upon a pile of nice dry moss, The best kind for a bed. All afternoon the scouts worked hard That forest fire to stop, Because they did not want the blaze To reach the mountain-top. Now, there are many other folks Just Qke this careless jay; They never put their camp fires out Before they go away. They’re careless with their cigarettes, Red butts they throw around; Their matches, too, are not put out Before tossed to the ground. And so it is in our N.Z. That forest fires will start, But scouts are taught to kill their blaze Before from camp they part. These boys all know' that forest fires Destroy the birds and beasts, Ami all the beauty of the land, And on good timber feasts. ♦ ♦ * * SCOUT STANLEY E. ACKROYD. ST. AUGUSTINE'S, NAPIER. We have not had very many public appearances yet, but we are still worknig away bard at second and first-class work, and we hope to have a few firstclass Scouts at Christmas. The Assistant District Commissioner, Mr W. D. Johns, visited the Troop on Saturday last, presented the warrants, and officially instituted the officers:—Rev. C. E. Hyde, Scoutmaster, and Messrs. A. A. Worley and S. H. Groome. Assistants. Mr Perry, Scoutmaster of the Y.M.C.A. Troop, was also present and received his warrant. The Assistant Commissioner then invested two of the boys, and in a short address, stressed the feeling of brotherhood, which should exist between Scouters and Scouts. He showed us two new games, and was then forced to leave us, hut not before he had been given three hearty cheers. The usual work was then carried on for half an hour, and to finish the evening a very interesting lecture on first aid was delivered by S.M. Perry. The opportunity was taken to ask Mr Perry questions, and altogether, the address was most instructive. We hope he will oblige us again at a future date. On Sunday, 13th, we held a church parade, at St. Lukes, the second church in the Parish, which is in charge of our Scoutmaster, the Rev. Hyde. Some twenty-five boys paraded, and made a good showing. A very interesting address, on the Scout movement was given, apd Mr Hyde showed what a fine thing it would be if the Scout ideal of brotherhood were carried out by all persons. “ Truly the Boy Scouts,” he said, “must do a great deal to make the world a better place to live in.” We are now working hard for our first parent’s night, which will be held shortly.

* * * * HASTINGS Y.M.C.A. TROOPS COMMITTEE. The regular monthly meeting was held on Thursday evening, with chairman Ralph Paynter presiding. After routine business, several satisfactory reports were received from sub-com-mittees. The question of funds had to be faced, and a sub-committee was set up to take the necessary steps to gather in a little cash. In view of the long evenings, it was decided to make an endeavour to get the fife and drum band going again. Much satisfaction was expressed when Br G. Wheatley decided to accept a Scoutmastership, and the secretary was instructed to apply for a warrant. Mr Wheatley has had considerable experience of Scouting in other countries, and our No. 1 Troop is fortunate to secure his services. Mr. Duff, who has been acting S.M. for some time, will continue as assistant to Mr Wheatley. ♦ * * ♦ HASTINGS Y.M.C.A. No. 2 TROOP. This Troop held its regular meeting on Saturday night (S.M. Eric Dutton) with an attendance of thirty-two Scouts. AU spare time has been taken up with W'ork on the “ Den,” and the boys are sure proud of their efforts. After the Scout Law and Promise, the Troop was dismissed, when the “Otters” dug in and spent the night under canvas. A Sunday morning rumour had it that they could have done with another rug. Is that so, boys? ♦ * ♦ ♦ HASTINGS Y.M.C.A. CUB PACK. The Cub Pack had a full muster on Saturday afternoon, when Assistant Cubmaster Charlie Elphick, with the assistance of Ewen Ballantyne, Micky Hull, Norman Mummery and several other Scouts, kept the pack hard at it. Yes, the invitations are out for next Saturday, which is “Parent’s Day,” when a grand exhibition rtf Cub work and games will be staged. ♦ * * ♦ HAUMOANA TROOP. On the Bth and 18th of this month, the Troop held its usual weekly meetings on the Tuki Tuki river-bed. The spot selected for these meetings is an ideal place, a clearing surrounded by willow trees, with plenty of firewood and water. The locality provides an excellent area lor Scouting games. The first of these meetings was held to celebrate the I'oniing of daylight saving ami was in the form ol a "pound uigbl.”

The Scouts greatly enjoyed themselves with such games as a Treasure Hunt, tracking the light, tracking the whistle, etc. Later in the evening a huge campfire was lighted and the Scouts and Cubs treated themselves to supper. The second night was more of an ordinary meeting, but was none the less enjoyable. The games played on this occasion were rounders and bombing. These open air meetings are a delightful change from the meetings held inside, and it is hoped they will be continued through the summer. ♦ ♦ ♦ * TENTS. Tents may he made to hold one or two persons when required for hiking purposes, and should weigh about 31 lb., or may be made to hold four or eight persons for a camp. The tent for four is generally Bft. x 10ft., while that to hold eight is 12ft x 14ft. The hiking tent is generally made of japara, as this material is light, and keeps dew and light rain off, unless moisture is drawn through by touching the inside The material may be made waterproof with a solution of alum and sugar of lead, but as the lead is poisonous, this is not advisable. Another method is beeswax, dissolved. Another method is ed in, but this is inflammable. Sometimes the material is tanned, thus making it less visible in the bush. The larger tents are generally made of unbleached calico •or duck; the latter wears better, ljut is heavier. The rectangular tents generally have flies above them, which should project well over the tent, not only at the sides, but also at the ends. The guy ropes, which should be loosened when they get wet, are best tied on to the pegs and passed through the eyelets of the fly, so that the free end can be slid up or down, as required, while the campers are under shelter of the fly, should it be raining. These rectangular tents are best made with an opening at either end. In hot weather this makes the tent cooler, while in wet or windy weather the opening on the weather side may be closed. Pitch your tent with the opening opposite to the direction from which the prevailing wind blows. In the morning, air the tent by rolling up the sides and flaps inward, and tie them up, so that the air can circulate around them better. When guy ropes are fastened to eyelets, splice or tie a loop ruond them. Do not tie a stop knot, as that is liable to tear the brass eyelet out. Always cut a trench round the tent, on the higher ground, with a getaway directly under the edge of the fly, and place the excavated earth on the side next the tent. If a small depression is made under the tent-poles, and a stone or piece of wood placed in it, instead of having to loosen all the guy ropes at night or when it rains, the stone or wood may be removed, and the poles lowered, which will have the same effect. , There are many ways of pitching tents, largely depending on the material at hand and the nature of the ground. A tent with sidewalls is much more roomy than one the roof of which reaches the ground. —The “Scout."