TE KORERO

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 252, 25 October 1933, Page 16

TE KORERO

For boy

Birthday Celebrations. The Roskill Cub Pack celebrated its second birthday party on September 19 last. The guests of the evening were the sixes , and old Wolves of the Edendale pack. An enjoyable evening was spent in games, organised by the old Wolves. The cubs sat down to a delightful supper provided by the ladies' committee, and after the usual toasts had been honoured the birthday cake was cut by A.S.M. North. A very happy evening was brought to a close by the pronouncing of a short cub prayer. « * * • No. 4 Field Day. A very successful rally of the troops of No. 4 district was held on Saturday, October 14, at Mr. Quick's farm, Milford. The rain, which was turned on specially to test the scouts' knowledge of the eighth scout law, damped a good many bodies, but nobody's spirits. During the morning an inter-patrol athletic competition was held, which was won iby the Bulldogs (2nd Devonport), with 30 points. The Curlews and Moreporks (Takapuna) • gained second and third places respectively. After lunch the patrols were inspected by the commissioner, Mr. Downard, and the metropolitan secretary, Mr. Middleton. The afternoon was devoted to scoutcraft competitions, including signalling, first-aid, compass work, lashings, knotting and tenderfoot test work. This was won by the Riroriro patrol (Paremoremo), G4i points, with three Takapuna patrols very close behind, the Hawks (574), Cockerels (55J), and Curlaws (55). The commissioner and rally committee desire to thank all who helped make the day a success, especially Mr. Quick for granting the use of his land, and for the assistance ho gave during the day. [Michael regrets the omission of this report from last week's notes.]

St. Mary's Celebrate. St. Mary's (Parnell Pioneer) scout group held a birthday party on Friday last to celebrate tho 25th birthday of the group, and quite an enjoyable evening was spent; old boys present were entertained by the troop with hakas, speeches, boxing and wrestling. The oldest ex-member gave a very interesting talk on the old troop which makes interesting reading. The Parnell Pioneers were formed by Master W. J. Hicks in February, 1908, when a patrol was formed among telegraph messenger boys of the G.P.O. in April, 1908. Mr. S. H. Bennett took charge; later in 1910 the troop moved to new headquarters in the ruins of Fort Resolution, above where the Parnell baths are now, and made new quarters underground. A very popular activity those days was canoeing and the troop's fleet roamed from Orakei to Tamaki. Captain G. J. Rust took charge in 1911, and in 1912 the troop moved into the St. Mary's hall and changed their name to St. Mary's. Outdoor work was the keynote of the early troop. With the event of the war all of the scoutmasters left for service; a list collected of old boys who served in the war contained 58* names. In the early part of the war boys joined the troop in hundreds, and in 1910 there was a membership of 200 boys. . Tho various scouters in charge after Captain Rust were Gilbert llollinson, G. V. Rogers, Rev. Stanton, the late Mr. E. B. Boswell, and Mr. G. Iversen, who carried on to 1931. Every year an annual camp was held, and week-end camps, hikes, cruises were held throughout the years. Six camps were held at Whangaparaoa. In 1924 the troop won the Bristol Signalling Shield, and tho Otter Challenge Shield for swimming and life-saving, and won five local trophies in the same year. Three scouts have won decorations for saving life—Scout O. Wakefield, gilt cross 1919, A.S.M. William James (blind scout) gilt cross 1919, and Leader Druiiunond Hall gilt cross 1929, while two old members have been awarded the honorary medal of merit and one the honorary silver Wolf. To-day many of the old members are or have been commissioners and scouters in other districts.