DISAPPOINTMENT FOR BOYS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29089, 29 December 1959, Page 5

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR BOYS

Stream Near Camp Swollen By Rain ’’The Press'* Special Service AUCKLAND, Dec. 28. The Wairoa stream, swollen by heavy rain in the bush-clad Hunua district during the past four days, has temporarily shattered a dream of 200 boys at Camp Adair. Since Thursday they have sat and looked at the stream, they have pulled eels from it, but they have not been able to swim in it. And until the stream drops to its normal level (it had risen two feet by today) the boys, who are attending the first of three fortnightly Y.M.C.A. camps at Hunua. will miss their swimming. But they are not allowing this misfortune to spoil their camp life. On the wet days they have organised indoor games and listened to detective stories told by Captain H. Sutcliffe, a Church of England evangelist. During 18 years of voluntary service at these camps Captain Sutcliffe has become affectionately known as “Cappy” to many thousands of boys and their parents. On Saturday, parents’ day at the camp, mothers and fathers crowded for shelter with their sons in the camp lodge, in cabins and tents, to listen for an hour to “Cappy’s” broadcast of exciting stories over the camp speaker system. The camp opened on December 19. Since then the boys, aged from 10 to 17 years, have had a busy time. Apart from their camp duties and games, fhey have helped to set up the new chapel and library. This 40ft by 20ft building was originally part of the Auckland City Council administration block at Cossey’s creek. It was taken to the camp site last week and is already being used as a meeting room and library.