BOYS’ BRIGADE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13243, 20 January 1941, Page 1

BOYS’ BRIGADE

END OF TOUR

Continuing the account of the Boys’ Brigade tour:— t The Zoological Park was the scene of interest on Saturday morning. Ginger the Orang Outang was the special source of amusement. After lunch the boys marched to Prince’s Wharf where the boys were allowed to view a liner in her warime array. There were lost of interesting sights near the wharves. Time did not permit us to use all the facilities offered us by the Police Department and the Harbour Board. This is an opportune time to mention the kindness of everyone to the pary for giving our country curiosity and our offtimes late i arrival. The assitant officers are here to be complimented on their help in Camp. A long walk led the parade through the Domain to the Museum where a hurried view left in the lads' minds a desire to revisit the institution at their leisure. Back at Camp three week-end visitors from Tauranga were waiting, and over dinner they gave us the latest home news. The bus then called to transport fifty of the more energetic to the Speedway where they were the guests of the management. It was a great thrill, the boys even being asked to put on a special stunt which* unfortunately, was not possible ori the spur of the moment.

Sunday’s Reveille was just as early for most of the boys had had breakfast by Church time. The Roman Catholic boys went to Mass at 7.30, and all the Anglican section attend,ed Holy Communion in All Saints at 8 o’clock. The Captain celebrated in full vestments as is the custom at Ponsonby. Bob Pole acted as Altar server at 8 a.m., and Roy Grigg at 11 a.m. Eucharist, when the Rev. Canon Averill was celebrant. The Presbyterian boys under Capt. H. Davies attended St. Stephen’s, the Baptist went to Jervois Rd. Church, and the Methodist and Brethren under Lieut. Backhouse attended St. John’s, Ponsonby Road. All services were out by noon and after dinner, away by bus to Whenuapai, after a delay of an hour through a breakdown. Once on the way no time was lost in getting via Henderson to the Aerodrome where several Flight Sergeants, under the direction of their Commander, escorted the party round. The Y.M.C.A. v entertained the boys to afternoon tea which was greatly appreciated, and then small groups were shown over the officer’s quarters with their up-to-date architecture and containing every comfort one would wish for both socially and domestically. A two hours drive over the Waitakeries, with its wonderful panoramic view concluded the afternoon. The driver told many tourist tales of ancient days with their native lore, and the short break at the summit landed us amidst members of the Gilbert and Sullivan Company. After tea, at which we entertained the Vicar and several choir boys of All Saints, the Church of England section under Sgt. R. Pole and §.Sgt. H. Stratford, marched to St. Matthew’s Church -in Wellesley Street, where His Lordship, Bishop Simkin, delivered his New Year broadcast address to the people of the Auckland Diocese. The Rev. H. Irving was unable to attend for Roy Grigg needed medical attention. Capt. Davies took charge of the Presbyterian and Baptist parade to Beresford Street Congregational Church, where the celebrated preacher Rev. Lionel Fletcher, delivered an inspiring address thoroughly enjoyed by the youthful party. Lieut. Backhouse marched the Methodist and Brethren boys to the Pitt Street Church which is an outstanding feature of Auckland Methodism. Later all viewed the march of the troops from the Rutland Street drill hall to the railway station where the soldiers entrained for Waiouru.

Early on Monday morning the bus called for us and we made our first stop at the Otahuhu workshops, a hurried visit of inspection disclosing marvellously equipped machinery sheds, etc. Some chose not to enter the Fertilizer Works of Kempthorne Prosser, but they missed a great deal for here it was explained how, under steam pressure, rock sulphuV is liquified in California and pumped f from the earth to settle as rock once more in the ship's hold. The sulphur is conveyed to huge retorts at Westfield and burnt under a -great heat to produce various gases that are collected and acted upon in leaden vats whence these are conveyed for mixing with phosphates, etc., §#ewhere. Amidst the dust a goodly number viewed the phosphates as they come from Nauru and then followed the mixing, drying, automatic weighing and bagging processes. As we alighted to lunch at Penrose photoraphers ' appeared, so many* photos were taken.. -Continuing oil our way the Reid Rubber Mills displayed all the ingredients in their raw state as imported from abroad and then took us through the various processes of their treatment and the making of Bren Gun wheels, garden f gloves, toys, hot water bottles, etc., etc. Then there was the N.Z. Glass where hoppers of broken glass, sand.

BUSY SIGHTSEEING DAYS.. FAREWELL TO CAMP

soda and lime were watched being turned into a glassy liquid. The whole process of making tile bottles was then shown. The cardboard making department with its 3 massive rolls of brown paper, a crinkling machine, and self glueing trough all working simultaneously, caused no little interest to the wide-awake students. The making of parts for all kinds of machinery and the turning and lathe devices used at J. B. MacEwan’s Penrose works was a great finish to the day.

Our week-end visitors left for home after a swim, and we went off to bed to stay fast asleep till very late on Tuesday morning, this being permissible owing to the strenuous days which we had been through. A visit to the Herald Printing Works was all we could fit in that morning. The Weekly News was in productipn at the time and all keenly watched the printing, covering, stapling, trimming, counting, Avrapping and despatch. Leaving the Herald, an hour Avav given for shopping in Queen StreeV and following lunch we traA r elled by bus to “Tui Glen” the fun farm at Henderson where the afternoon Avent all too quickly. The grounds provide wonderful facilities for a selfmade picnic, Avith donkeys, swings, etc. The Avater Avas a great attraction and most of us spent Che stay in boating up and down the tidal river.

At night all leave was stopped except for a visit to the Hospital patients, and an impromptu entertainment Avas given amongst the boys for a feAV Tauranga friends in the city, and the Auckland Presbyerian Girls’ Club, who at different times, had given Mrs Hert a hand. The programme included pianoforte items by Mrs P. Hert and H. Beswick; Mouth Organ, Trevor Oliver and Eric Gilbert; songs Avith own accompaniment on guitar, Mrs Hert; songs and violin accompaniment, Mr and Mrs Stewart; song by the Gang, “No. 2 Squad”; community singingled by S.Sgt. Allan Lowe who also sang “Lords of the Air” and “At the Bhlalaika.”

The visitors were entertained to supper and during this repast, S.Sgt. Allan Lowe made a short speech and presented Mrs Hert with a personal gift on behalf of the boys for her wonderful care and hard work. This was accompanied with musical honours and hearty cheers, Mrs Hert in her reply told the boys how much she enjoyed looking after them, before wishing them a cheery goodbye. She called for cheers for the Captain who had organized so great a holiday for such a large party. Musical honours duly over, the Rev. H. Irving thanked all for their help, the boys for keeping within bounds, the officers for their assistance, the Camp Mother for her marvellous help and bright spirit, the Vicar ana Vestry of All Saints for the use of the Hall and those present fox’, their patronage. Lights were soon out, after the singing of the National Anthem, to prepare for an early reveille at the Break of Camp. Cpls. Eric Gilbert and Jim Dickin supervised the emptying of the straw and everything was picked up ready for departure by 8 o’clock next morning.

After a few minor delays we got aboard the Taneatua Express only sorry that our holiday was over. Many thanks are due to all who co-operated with the Boys’ Brigade, especially to Messrs Hammond and Sons for their carriage of our goods both ways for the train, and to the Press for their full reports.