TE KORERO FOR BOYS SCOUTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 32, 7 February 1934, Page 16

TE KORERO FOR BOYS SCOUTS

(By MICHAEL.)

Last Night's Party. There was a lot of fun at St. James' Hall last night, when a household evening was arranged in honour of the Auckland Akela leader and the popular Grey Lynn CM., who celebrate their marriage on Tuesday, February 20. Possibly "Mid" and "Frankio" found the evening something of an ordeal, but nevertheless everybody enjoyed themselves thoroughly. The'cubs greeted the guests of honour with a Grand Howl specially compiled for the purpose. Likewise the scouts rendered a suitable haka. Then with due ceremony the stretcher party, complete with guards of honour, arrived with the gifts, which were deposited at the feet of the couple. After this ordeal was satisfactorily completed games were played and supper served. During the evening Commissioner Johns, D.C.C, in a very happy speech, expressed the good wishes and congratulations of all present. Speaking on behalf of Miss Walker and himself, Mr. Middleton briefly replied, at the same time thanking all who had so loyally backed up his efforts both as a training officer and as the metropolitan secretary. '• » -. *' * » . Veni Veki. When a working party descended upon the Oratia site last week-end things began to move rapidly. Tongues probably had more exercise than anything else, for reminiscences of the recent camp provided a constant stream of conversation. Camp life was lived over again, due homage being paid to the tircy Cat, the Kaka's donkey, and camp oven, the lake near where Psyche bathed, to say nothing of padre's effort in "the big stoush."

But nevertheless work proceeded apace, and quite apart from the fact that a new site has been made the area adjacent to the camplire circle presents a totally different appearance. . ■ "Mike" will be on the ground practically every ■ week-end until Enster, and scouters who wish to lend a hand will be gladly welcomed. " »■ ' • « " • St. Mary's Wolf Cubs. "Michael" has been advised that the above pack will meet in the parish hall at the usual time on Friday night next. St. Mary's cubs please note. * * * * Grey Lynn Doings. Tarades arc now in full swing in the Grey Lynn Den, and attendances are steady. Next parade night each scout is to bring with him a notebook and pencil and two bandages.

A New Departure. Auckland's first open-air community sing will be pioneered by Albert Russell and the boy scouts. This will take place this day week at the Western Springs Stadium and in addition to the sing-song several spectacular displays will he given. All menroers of the association are asked to parade on the playing field adjacent to the stadium at 7.30 p.m. sharp. Each boy is to provide himself with a box of matches. Both troop and King's colours are to be carried, but uo staves. There is no admission charge for troops or packs. * # * » St. Albans' Scouts and Cubs. The above group celebrated Regatta Day by an excursion to Castor Bay under the chi.-ge of Scoutmaster Cronk and Cubmaster Sylvia Smith, assisted by Mr. Frank Butcher and Mr. C. Mansfield, the latter acting as secretary, which position he carried out with his'usual thoroughness, writes a scribe. The whole arrangements for the comfort and happiness of the boys, including a liberal supply .of refreshments, ensured an enjoyable time. During the afternoon sports were held and prizes awarded. The party left the bay at 7 o'clock, and their ceaseless merriment on the return journey testified to their having had a Jolly day's outiug. # * » * Camping at Tauranga.

Boy scouts of the Matamata, Tc Poi, Morrinsville and Waitoa districts, who have been spending their annual fortnight under canvas at Tauranga, returned home last week. There were (3!) scouts and 30 cubs in camp, under the charge af District Commissioner F. G. Southon, of Tc Poi, assisted by District Cubmastcr It. C. Watson. The scouts were divided into seven patrols, three from Matamata, two from To Poi, one from Morrinsville and one from Waitoa. The winning patrol of the camp was the Lion patrol, from Matamata tinder Patrol Leader Stanley, with the Waitoa patrol, under charge of Patrol Leader D. Klaus, a very close second. At the special inspection parade by the district scoutmaster from Bay of Plenty, Waitoa were defeated by one point by Matamata. Two cricket matches were played, the first when Waitoa-Te Poi defeated Matamata-Mor-rinsvillo by five runs, and the second when Thames Valley defeated Bay of Plenty by five wickets. A fishing excursion was held at a email island near Omokoroa. Qn the first Sunday the "Scouts Own" was held under the leadership of the commissioner, while on the second Sunday there was a church parade and civic reception, the lessors being, read by the commissioner and the Mayor of Ta'uvanga. Much interest was taken in a treasure hunt, which commenced at the camp, extended through the town to the swimming baths, to the redoubt, to Sulphur Points, to the rifle ranges, and back to camp, the treasure being found by Noel Kcay of the Waitoa patrol.

Among the places of interest visited by the scouts was the mission house built by the first missionary, Mr. Brown. The Mayor conducted the scouts through the Maori cemetery; another place of interest was the Judca Maori pa, wherethe scouts and cubs were the guests of the Maori missionary and Mr. Tower. A demons!ration of Maori cooking was witnessed, and food, when cooked, was enjoyed by the visitors. A camp fire was held on the concluding night of the camp, at which there was an attendance of about 200 of the Tauranga residents. The cubs spent their evenings playing jungle games and doing jungle dances. All the cubs sat for their athletic badges, 28 being successful. A visit was paid to the camp by the cubmastcr of the Cornwall wolf cub pack. The cubs and scouts speak well of the hospitality of the Tauranga resident', and the opinion was voiced that it was the best scout camp they had attended.