Boy Scouts and Cubs

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 10 December 1927, Page 15

Boy Scouts and Cubs

By

“Pathfinder”

THE SINGING BIRD.

Oh, singing bird, I wonder now and then, Are you less troubled than worldweary men 1 Do all your hopes come true, and is your nest Always a sweet and happy place of rest 3

I’ve seen you battle with your neighbours strong, I fancy that at times you suffer wrong 1 know you must have fears, because the cat Who seeks to take your life has taught me that

Is yours an easy life? Have you no caret That every morn I hear you singing there, Do ail your babies live 1 ? I hear no sigh. In bird-life does no loved one ever diet

Man wails his lot and calls life harsh and rude Oh, happy bird, do you not toil for food? Have you no tasks which hold you fast by day? Feci you no pains that you can seem so gay?

Ah, yes, you share our cares, oh singing birds. Yet from your throat there comes no grumbling word! In spite of all life’s hurts, while you survive You tell the world ’tis sweet o be alive! ANNUAL SCOUT COUNCIL The annual meeting of the Dominion Council of the Boy Scouts’ Association iu New Zealand was held on Wednesday week. November 23rd in the Provincial Chambers, Christ* church District Commissioners were present from Dunedin, Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne and Auckland. together with delegates from other centres. The Dominion Chief Commissioner-General A. W. Andrew, in his annual report’, stated that the movement is now in a very atisfactory and sound condition. The num bers have risen from 8007 in 1926 to 10,533 iu 1927, an increase of 31.54 per cent. Warranted ranks have increased by 42 per cent and the supply of scoutmasters is virtually assured by the promotion to the rank of assis-tant-scoutmasters of the most efficient Scouts. That Scouts generally are being more regularly and systematic, ally trained in real Scout work, is show by the following figures, those in brackets referring to last year: Tenderfoot, 4597 (2666); second class, 3162 (1382); first class, 650 (4»8j; King Scout, 234 (119); all-round cords—first grade, 157; second grade 59; third grades, 15; Wolf Clubs increased from 1903 to 3063. A gieat deal of time was speut considering new rules and regulations for Npw Zealand troops, and these will bo brought, into operation on the first of February next. They are provisional only, and will be tried out during the next two years. HASTINGS NO. 2 Y.M C.A. TROOP This troop had a fine attendance nn Saturday evening, when an investiture was held at the end of the parade, and those who formally became members of the Scout movement are-— Norman Rummery, Herbert Baliautyne, lan Hickman Colin Drummond, and Max de Dennc. Badges were also presented to the following: —H. Ballantyne and I. Hickman, Tenderfoot. G. Cooper and H. Johnson Basketworker, E. de Denne and A. Hastis. Weatherman, E. Ballantyne. Horseman and F. Sharpley. Athlete and Basketworker. HAVELOCK NORTH TROOP. On Thursday, 17th Noveffiner, we held our usual meeting, most of the Scouts being present. First, the troop welcomed their new A.S.M., Bill Ashcroft, with a spirited haka that nearly lifted lhe roof. Then the patrols were re-organised and we now have four very keen patrols under leaders Duke, Joll. Miller and Heenan. The patrol leaders marched oft their patrols and were soon hard al work on the various phases of Scout activity, from the knots of the Tenderfoot fo the first aid. signalling, etc. of the First-class Scout. The seniors made good progress with their woodwork, though handicapped by the unavoidable absence of their instructor, Mr Speight. The forms thev are working on will be a welcome addition to our furniture, which at present consist mostly of benzine boxes.

For lan Brown Thursday night was memorable, for an that night he gave the promise and joined the great brotherhood of Scouts. In the presence of the whole troop. Scoutmaster Leicester assisted by A.S.M.’s Graham and Vernon, performed the ceremony of investiture and, at the conclusion, a very proud and happy Scout marched back to his patrol.

On Thursday night. November 24th, we had a fair turn out in spite of the threatening weather. The first part of the evening was spent out of doors and then back at our meeting place the patrols carried on with first-aid, signalling, knot-tying, etc. The woodwork class have nearly finished the forms and one more night’s work should see us all seated. On Saturday the Kiwis and the Hawks went into the Hills behind Havelock and had a good tune playing various outdoor Scout games. CLEAN LIVING. In connection with the campaign for clean speech, clean sports and clean living to be put by the Tons boys and Trail Rangers of British Columbia during November, the committee in charge have prepared, under the leadership of Mr George Boss, chairman, the following suggestions for discussion in the groups. Clean Speech.—What is clean speech? What is dirty speech? Winch do you favour? Why? Is there any difference in telling a smutty story and listening to one? Whom do you respect most, the boy who speaks clean, ot the boy who talks smutty? Does "smutty talk elevate a fellow’s standing in the community? Suggestions—Control tongue, speak nothing mean, vulgar or profane; control temper and thoughts, travel with clean fellows. Bear no grudges or spites; do not gossip or speak unkindly of anyone. Clean Sportsmanship.—What constitutes dirty play? Which do you admire. the boy who plays clean or the boy who plays dirty? What, in your community, would you call dirty sportsmanship? Why? Is there any difference between rough play and dirty play? Has clean sportsmanship anv character values? What are they?

Suggestions. —Play fair—clean play increases and trains strength. I’lay the game for the game’s sake. Dirty play robs the loser of the fun of the game and the winner of self respect. Be a good loser or a generous winner. Trent your opponent as a gentleman. Clean Living.—ls health more than freedom from disease? Can we live in perfect health? How? Should we live <n perfect health? Why? To what extent are we responsible for our health? Can a man be hea’thy and fail in life! Can ho be sickly and succeed? What arc some causes of ill health! How necessary is exercise to strength, health and life? What relation has bathing to health? Do personal habits affect health? Is the sex desire wrong or sinful! Why, or why not! What arc flowers in regard to sex? Is there anything im pure about the rose? Suggestion.—Keep the body and mind clean; avoid habits that harm! cultivate habits that help; take xnnh food, sleep, exercise, that will koep eno in perfect health. “The glory of a young man is rn his strength." ‘‘My strength is as the strength of ten because my heart is pure.’’