SCOUTS FORCED TO ABANDON CAMP BY ADVERSE WEATHER

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 December 1949, Page 2

SCOUTS FORCED TO ABANDON CAMP BY ADVERSE WEATHER

Fifty West Coast scouts camping at Paroa Hall white waiting favourable weather conditions to construct a canvas carnp at Rutherglen, today returned to their homes after having spent three days in the confines ol the hail.’ ‘ The camp was planned to •finish next Thursday - but adverse weather conditions, which, hadseyetely restricted camp activities, and had flooded the proposed camp site, made this decision necessary. The only opportunity for outdoor activity was on Tuesday afternoon when the party tramped to Rutherglen and examined the proposed site. The remainder of the time was.taken up with practice and instruction, in semaphore and morse signalling and rope work. Divided into six patrols, the scouts, who come from the Reefton, Moana, Cobden, Greymouth, Blaketown, and Gladstone troops, followed a daily programme commencing at 6.30 a.m. with reveille, followed by physical training, and at 7 a.m. by a flag-break parade. After the ex ’ ening meal sing songs were held arburid the open fire-place. Most ot the boys were equipped with sleeping bags and slept on the floor on which the tent canvas had been laid. The officer in charge was the County Commissioner for Scouts, Mr G. H. Russell. Mr J. Knight was camp chief and Mr T. Munden was the training officer. Cooking operations were under the direction of Mr M. McKane. There were no serious casualties during the camp although one boy, who was suffering from a poisoned thumb previously, had to receive medical attention.