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SCOUT NOTES
(By "Kiwr )
rPOOWOOMBA Scoutcrs have had
the privilege during the past week
of meeting Commissioner Puddlcombe
of New South Wales, a man with wide
experience and a fund of scout Infor
mation. Commissioner Puddlcombe
holds a unique position In the Scout
world; he is the only Commissioner
for Administration in the movement.
He handles all matters of Administra
tion In New South Wales, a delicate
and Important post. Speaking of the
Jamboree, where he will bo In control
of administration, commissioner Pud
dlcombe expects 10 to 12 thousand
scouts to be present from all over the
world. The task of organising the var
ious services is stupendous, and Gov
ernment and business experts have
been formed Into committees to or
ganise transportation, entering, sani
tation, hygiene, and the various other
services. Thousands of pounds are be
ing spent on ronds, railways, water
supply and bathing accommodation.
Provision Is being made for 4090 boys
to bathe at the same time. . Commis
sioner Puddlcombe states that every
effort Is being made to give the Scouts
attending an -enjoyable time. Every
thing wanted will lie available at city
prices, but care has been taken to pre
vent profiteering.
rpHE 3rd Toowoomba Troop re-ar-
ranged their patrol last week. P.L.'s
Falconer and Simpson became Troop
Leader and Scribe respectively. N.
Sanders and W. Hatton become Patrol
Leaders. L. McDonald, R. White and
K. Hillocks become "seconds." This
means responsibility. The patrol is
getting nearer to first-class standard
every month.
fkVER the week-end 3rd Toowoomba
Troop had a profitable time at
Webb Park. Mr. T. Smith gave them
a talk on first aid. It proved most
valuable to those who nre doing the
ambulance test for their 2nd class
badge. From ambulance work the
troop passed on to signalling, They
nre becoming fairly efficient at morse
code, and they had the lamp going
effectively at Webb Park.
CJCOUTS and Guides should fill tho
- hall for Mr. McAllister's movie
talk on Saturday night. If all Guides,
Brownies, Cubs and Scouts sell three
tickets ench they will have done their
job. "Tawnie Owl" and "Akela" arc
doing their best to show that Brown
ies and Cubs can sell more tickets
than Guides and Scouts. All should
strive to get Mum and Dad to take
them to hear Mr. McAllister. "Kiwi"
heard during the week that the pic
tures are worth going a long way to
see; they are not the old slide variety,
but movies. As the Premier's secretary
Mr. McAllister had some fine oppor
tunities of getting select pictures
while flying to England, and like a
good scout he made the most of those
opportunities. Yesterday's "Chronicle"
gave full particulars of the movie talk.
"TCIWI" wU1 be absent on holidays
for the next fortnight, and he has
arranged with "Crow" to carry on the
Scout notes. Troop scribes must send
their reports to him by Monday of
each week.
"OANGEVILLE 2nd Toowoomba Cubs
had a battle royal at soccer last
week. Rangeville were a bit short in
numbers, but their skill enabled them
to make a draw of the match; 2nd
Toowoomba are improving and under
stand the game better than previously,
so Rangeville will have to look to their
laurels next season,
rFHERE is a move on foot for Too-
woomba to be represented at tho
Father and Son camp at Eprapah on
September 24 and 25. Severnl have
signified their Intention of going, so
any P.L. desirous of taking Dad for a
good week-end should get in touch
with their G3.M.'s not later than to
morrow. Tire cost for everything
should be 'only a few shillings each.
Nominations closed on August 20, but
if -you get busy now we hope to have
the Toowoomba team included,
TN OCTOBER, 1915, Sir Emcst
Shackleton had to abandon his
ship, the "Endurance"; she was
crushed in the ice. They were 340
miles from Paulet Island. The condi
tion of the Ice mnde sledging almost
impassible, but they got within 00
miles of their destination, when the
broken ice stopped further progress.
Their next object was Elephant
Island, 100 miles north of the point
they reached by March 1916. Shackle-
ton decided to take to the boats, and
after many hairbreadth escapes the
men reached their object on April 17.
No one would look for them there;
the nearest port was 540 miles away.
The winds were against them reach
ing there. South Georgia. 800 miles
away, was their alternative, but the
risks were tremendous. Their boat was
unseaworthy and was 20ft. long.
Shackleton and Ave men set out on
this forlorn hope, leaving 22 men be
hind, for whom they went to seek
help. He wrote: "The men remaining
were a pathetic group. There was hope
in their hearts and they trusted us to
bring help." The next 16 days was
"one of strife amid heaving waters,
for the Antarctic Ocean fully lived up
to its evil winter reputation." They
landed in King Haakon Bay, South
Georgia. The unexplored mountains
lay between them and the whaling
settlement. They rested a few days,
but three of the party were too weak
to make the attempt, so Shackleton
with the other two set out. They had
to cross glaciers, cut steps for their
feet, climb 4000 feet and then climb
down precipitous cliffs and negotiate
waterfalls to reach sea level. It was a
wonderful achievement. Shackleton
wrote of that Journey from Elephant
Island: "When I look back at those
days I do not doubt that Providence
guided us, not only across those snow
fields, but also ncross the stormy
white sea," They were warmly wel
comed at the whaling station and a
ship went at once to rescue the three
men at King Haakon Bn"
lem of saving the other 22 was more
difficult, but Shackleton remembered
they were confident that the "Bo.ss"
(as they called him) would rescue
them. The first ship got within 70
miles and had to turn back. Shackle
ton went to the Falkland Islands.
There was no suitable ship there. Eng
land was too far away. Messages were
sent to the South American Republic.
The Uruguayan Government offered a
trawler. It got within 20 miles of the
men but was forced to turn back. An
oak schooner was chartered, but
violent storms again defeated Shackle
ton. In desperation he begged the
Chilian Government to lend a small
steamer, the "Yelco." As If by a mlr-
ncle the ice opened and permitted
them to reach Elephant Island. As a
boat neared shore shackleton cnlled:
Are you all well?" The answer came,
"We are all well, Boss." Three cheers
were then given by the moil, who,
through dreary months, had kept
their faith in the "Boss." This story
illustrates the 1st Scout law; "A
Scout's honour is to be trusted."
Husband: "You know, you'll never
get that dog to obey you." Wife: "Oh,
yes I shall. He only needs patience. You
were just as difficult, at first."
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