SCOUTS' JAMBOREE

Evening Star, Issue 19143, 9 January 1926, Page 6

SCOUTS' JAMBOREE

— BIG CAMP AT TAHUNA OVER fi THOUSAND UNDER GAHVAS From north and south hundreds of Roy Scouts were on their way to Dunedin to-day to participate in the big jamboree which is being held at Tahuna Park in connection with the Exhibition festivities. The jamboree is, in fact, the largest of its kind ever held south of tho Line, and, when the muster is complete by Monday morning, there will be about 1,070 boys and Scoutmasters in camp. Those responsible for the organisation are particularly gratified that the jamboree is being attended by Scouts from overseas, contingents having come from South Africa, .Victoria, and Nov/ South Wales. OVER 100 TENTS. An idea of tho size of the camp at Tahuna may bo obtained when it is mentioned that it is the biggest'held there since the Main Body was in camp in 1914. To accommodate the thou-and-odd boys and to provide space for messes, headquarters, and stores, over 120 tents of tho bell and cottage varieties will bo used. Most of them were pitched by this morning, and others were being busily and correctly put up. Four big marquees have been erected for messes for tho boys, each taking over 300. The camp is large enough to accommodate two Territorial training battalions.

This morning over 200 boys were m camp, 350 are arriving to-night, and the remainder will be under canvas before Monday morning. Tho four New South Welshmen, tall and muscular vouths, typically Australian, were in camp to-day, and South _ Africans and Victorians will arrive to-night. The familiar khaki uniform will predominate, but there will be a good springling of Sea Scouts, with their distinctive naval-like attire. OFFICERS IN CHARGE.

The camp is particularly fortunate in its commanding officer, Commissioner J, D, Campbell (Rarotonga), Mr Campbell, who was an officer of the 10th Hussars in the Great Wax, played a prominent part with General BadenPowell in the initiation of the movement, and is the proud possessor, m addition to high military decorations, of tho “ Honorary Silver Wolf,” the highest award which can be bestowed in the Scout movement. Another capable Scout officer who holds, theposition of camp adjutant is Major W. E, S. Furby (Christchurch),, whose task of dealing with the administrative work of a camp with a personnel of over a thousand will be no light one. Commissioner Slipper (Palmerston North) is iho camp quarter-master, and Com* missioncr Meek, the camp supply officer. TRAINING AND ROUTINE. Training in the camp will he carried out 1 on tho patrol sytsem, the idea being to place as much actual control as possible on the boys themselves. For the purposes of organisation the camp is ’ divided into four tribes, each being named after one of the famous Maori canoes—Takitumu, Aorangi, Annva, and Ngapui. The camp standing orders by the commandant are prefaced as follows, and give an idea ol tho splendid spirit in which it is proposed to-manage the camp: —“These orders have been prepared not with n view to restricting the freedom of Scooters and Scouts in camp,, but so that at all times the camp will carry out its duties in a truly Scout spirit and live up to tho Scout motto of 1 Be daily routine will be observed; —

6.30 a.m.—Rouse, ablutions, turn out bods. 7 a.m.—Coffee, biscuits. 7.] 5-7.3o.—Scout games. 7.30. Stow tents, clean up lines, dress for parade. 7.30. —Sick parade. 8 a.m.—Breakfast. 9.15. General parade, salute flag, prayers. 9.30. Scout exercises. 9.45. Inspection of camp by campcommandant. 12 p.m.—Lunch. 1- —Rest. 2- Scout exercise. 5.30. —Dinner. 6.30. Guard mounting. 6.45. —Retreat. . . 6.30-7 p.m.—Scouts write out dianeS and letters to parents. 8.45. —First post. 9.15. —Last post. 9.30. —Lights out, VISIT FROM GOVERNORGENERAL. The jamboree will be continued till th® 24th. Several displays are to be given at tho Exhibition, one of winch will be witnessed bv the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson), who will also pay a visit of inspection to iho Another visitor to the camp will bo Briga-dier-general Andrews, Commissionergcncnil of the movement in New Zealand, who will reside at the camp for some da vs. On Monday morning, at 9 o’clock ' the camp will bo officially opened, the-ceremony including a Li parade and the hoisting of the Dag. All friends of tbo movement arc invited to !>n present. WATCHFUL OF HEALTH. The health of the boys will be care, fully guarded. Each boy has to undergo a medical examination on arrival, and (he medical officer (Dr Marshal! Macdonald) will visit tbo camp daily. A camp hospital has been established. The camp orders include the stem; “ Smoking is strictly prohibited lor any Scout in uniform.”