SCOUT NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12618, 1 December 1926, Page 9

SCOUT NOTES

CITY AND SUBURBS

(By

“SCOUTER”

District Sea Scouts Section: D.S.M. H. Gilbert. Port Nicholson Sea Troop, Culliugwood (St. Peter’s) Sea Troop. Port Nicholson maintains a good attendance. Badge tests will be taken when the boating season opens. This troop has ono 27ft. sailing whaler boat, fully equipped, mast and sails—very useful but heavy to pull. A new kauri timbered 20ft combined pulling and sailing boat, designed by Messrs Petersen and McCallum (members of committee), assisted by the D.S.M., is now ready. Thanks ar© due to the chairman, Mr W. A. Dutch, and committee for making it possible to obtain the boat. Being sft 9in beam, moulded depth 2ft 6in, with five thwarts, fitted with centre-board, and (later) Japara sails, it should develop 6peeil. Ten scouts can thus pull together. The cruising yacht lent by Mr Smith, of Ngaio, lias been overhauled and kept trim during the winter. During the winter the boys and mates have built a 7ft dinghy for use in the boat harbour; cost just on 30s. Besides its usefulness, the boys learned something of woodwork, use of tools, caulking, material and handicraft. • # * A successful four days' camp at Murifctu was held during Easter. The high winds gave us a spice of excitement and adventure which certainly called for expert seamanship in handling the yacht and whaler. * • * • Collingwood (St. Peter’s Mission) Sea —The average attendance i 6 good. Ihe Sea Scout clothing has been smartened up with regulation lettering on jertejT’ wor^ the ladies of the commit- • • • * One 18ft open boat (safe, but heavy for tho boyw to pull) is always available. Une 23ft boat loaned has been recalled by the owners. Besides the usual inland camp held by St. Peter’s Mission, this troop put in a week-end camp at Lowry Bay. The troop committee attend well, and give support to the STea Scoutmaster, Mr J. H. Scott. Another boat is urgently required, and it is intended that the more fortunate Port Nicholson troop will during the boating season help ColImgwood to gain more sea-water experience. The District Commissioner has been in communication with boat clubs at Petone and Plimmerton, and it is hoped that this season troops will be added. • • * • Khandallah Troop is still going strong, although our notes are not very frequent. We are at present on second clo-ss work—so that scouts going to camp will be able to pass their test whilst there. Sixteen of the scouts and scoutmasters are combining with Petone-St. Augustine’s troop for the Christmas camp A concert was held last Tuesday, it was given by the Petone Benefit Entertainer in aid of camp and general funds. During the interval an investiture ceremony was carried out, when Jack Scliierning entered the great brotherhood. In the absence of Sir Alfred, our commissioner, the Rev. R. Watson, one of our trooD committee, thanked the company for their splendid and enjoyable programme. He also spoke of the principles of scouting and the need for more instructors, after which he presented S. M. Reynolds with his ten years* service star. On Friday last District Scoutmaster Nelson paid us a surprise visit, and in consequence was able to present Patrol Leader Hill with the troop flag, won by the Kakapos, having the highest average for attendance, dress and behaviour for the past three months. This is the second occasion on which the Kakapoa have been successful, but it is thought that the Ivakapos will take the laurels next quarShake a leg "Kiwis and Kahas.” • • * » The Terrace Troop continues to make great progress. On Tuesday of last week we received an official visit from members of the Rotary Club. Mr J. R. McKenzie was the visitor, and Rev. E. R. Weeks was also present. After watching us ot work and play, supper, very kindly provided by the rotarian, was thoroughly enjoyed. As is always the case on the occasion of these visits from our brother rotary, everybody had a jolly time. Mr B. A. Mabin ha« been appointed as secretary to the Wellington local Boy Scouts’ Association, vice Mr Eric Lawson, resigned. The secretary’s headquarters will be in the "Den," above Armit’s Buildings, Lambton quay. « * • • On November 14th last Brooklyn Troop held a succe&sfuf church parade at St. Matthew’s Church, during which the Union Jack and Now Zealand Ensign were dedicated by the vicar (Rev. Compton). The sermon was entirely for the scouts and wolf cubs, and concerned the flags which compose the Union Jack. A further report regarding the presentation of various badges will be included in next week’s notes. * * • # St. Augustine’s, Pebone, and Lower Hutt troops will hold a parade at the Anglican Boys’ Home on Saturday afternoon, December 4th. It is hoped soon to form troops in connection with the institution. Parents are invited I to attend the above rally, which is on the same day as the annual gift day. Petone Scouts’ Band propose to parade with the Uast Harbour Troop on the occasion of their Doxt church parade, December sth. • * • • The Christmas camp will be held at St. Albans, Wainui, and Lower Hutt Troop will camp at Akatarawa during the holidays. • * • « St. Cutlibert’s Troop, which is still working well, is now making active propartition for the Christmas camp, which is to be held at Packakariki. A. lumble sale will be hold on December 17tli, and the troop will be thankful to receive from anyone clothing or goods for sale. Those desirous of contributing kindly ’phone 24-275, and arrangements will be made for the material to bo called for. The following bodges were presented at the last meeting:—Troop loader, A. Charles; patrol leader, K. Hay; patrol seconds, C. Beddcll, D. Wilson, K. Gunn; scout’s, H. Ycates, B. Sadler, G. Leonard, It. Leonard, and G. Wilkinson; sec-ond-class badges, H. Yeatcs, It. Hay, A Gunn; cyclist’s badge, 11. Yeatcs, C. Beddcll; musician, B. Sadler, During last week the commissioner visited Y.MO.A. No. 1 Troop, finding a steady increase in numbers, and the probability of a wolf cub pack being formed after the holidays. St. Jude’s held a finely attended par-j cnis pound night last Wednesday night, j and a number were passed into the troop. Scoutmaster Vine, who is a inember of Toe H., received his warrant by Ipise,’ nt the hand of the commissioner, and tin- following contributed excellent, items towards the programme : —Mrs Gotlieb, MiJsses Elsie Fry, Anderson, Nuncv Turner, Tricker, Beatrice 1 Thwaite.*, Sadie Phillips, Evelyn Wright, Passau, Power, Drummond, McLaren, Mr Loon Brown, and Masters Reg. Aitken and George Powey. ' Commencing with next week’s column, short paragraphs on camping hints will lie inserted, and scouts spending thrii’ h olid aye in the great outdoors should obtain some useful information from them. • * • • December monthly circular will bo issued later than usual. »Scoutei\s should let D. S. M. McKenzie have dates and places of their camps for publication. The annual conference took place in the Accountants’ Chambers last week, 1 and it is expected that good results will i follow for the scout movement goner- j ally. | Members uf tiuoy committees and