ORPHAN BOYS' CAMP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 12, 15 January 1934, Page 8

ORPHAN BOYS' CAMP.

AT MAHURANGI HEADS. MOTORISTS' EXPERIENCES. Portion of a party representing the Tawhiri Social Progressive Club, One Tree Hill, had unusual experiences on Saturday in going to entertain the Presbyterian Social Service Association's orphan boys in camp at Mahurangi Heads. The cost of the entertainment was defrayed by part of the proceeds of a "charity court" held by the club in November, when a number of residents of One Tree Hill and Onehunga were "fined" on various "charges." -Mr. R. L. Stewart, vice-chairman of the committee, took the main party to the camp in his launch Duchess in the morning, and a further party of men left at mid-day by Mr. S. O. Clark's motor car, intending to drive to Mr. McElroy's property on the opposite side of Mahurangi Heids, and to be taken from there by the launch. The wet weather had made the unmetalled portions of the side road very slippery, with the result that the car slid into the water table in endeavouring to negotiate a hill at Pukapuka. Communication by telephone being established through Warkworth; the launch set out for the Pukapuka landing, being piloted up the narrow channel by Mr. Fred Jackson, a local settler. With the aid of Mr. Struthers, the local postmaster, and some of those from the launch, the car was got on to the road again; it was then run back about a mile to the metalled road. The whole party finally reached the camp, and four members went ashore to supervise the special tea provided for the boys. Twenty-seven of the boys, 19 from the home in Onehunga and 8 from the Leslie Orphanage, Meadowbank, have been in. camp since Christmas. Matron Furniss is in charge, and is assisted by Miss Duffull and Mr. Randall. The camp building was erected on a site given specially for holiday camping some years ago. When each boy had been presented with a kite, and the camp with a large water ball, cheers were exchanged, and the party left. They were taken across the river mouth by boat, whence they tramped barefooted over four miles to the motor car. They arrived in Devonport just in time to catch the last vehicular ferry, with the satisfaction of having accomplished their object, though without the willing help of the local settlers they might have failed. Those who returned by launch, including all the ladies, had reached the city some hours earlier.