WINNERS OF TRIDENT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22241, 29 January 1947, Page 4

WINNERS OF TRIDENT

GISBORNE SEA SCOUTS TIE FOR BEST TROOP Bearing the Jellicoe Trident, which they won jointly with a Nelson troop. 41 'Sea Scouts and Scouters returned to Gisborne on Saturday evening from a Sea Scout camp at Tauranga. The Takitimu Senior Sea Scout troop were the actual winners of the trident, other Gisborne representatives coming from the Takitimu and Tainui troops. The Sea Scouts had spent a week under canvas at Tauranga, there being a total of 237 scouts, representing 13 •troops, in the camp, which was established on public works property near the jetly at Mount Maunganui. Perfect weather was experienced during the week, and the facilities oilering did much to make the camp an outstanding success. Competitions were entered into with enthusiasm by the scouts, the main events being rowing, sailing and swimming- . , The 11 Takitimu Sea Scouts at the camp were successful in carrying off the two major events at the camp, the Jellicoe Trident and the Nelson Cup for the winners of the open rowing. The Jellicoe Trident, which was presented to Dominion Sea Scouts in 1924 by .the then Governor-General of that name, is awarded to the best all-round troop of Sea Scouts in New Zealand. It was last competed for in 1930, when it was won by the Nelson Iron Duke troop and has been held by it to date. Practical scouting and the scout spirit are .taken into consideration in the award, the main items decided at the camp being seamanship and camping. The judges were unable to separate the Takitimu Seniors and the Iron Duke troops, the trident being awarded jointly. The trident, which is approximately sf.t. long, with silver-plated prongs and an ebony handle, will be held ~in Gisborne for the next 12 months, as the camps are expected to be conducted bi-annually in the future. It is hoped to display the award in the business area in the near future. After a hard-fought race the Takitimu senior troop also won the Nelson Cup for the open rowing event, beating Iron Duke by 3ft., with the Bluff boat a length behind. The Takitimu .troop were second in the junior sailing event, while the Takitimu Seniors were third in the senior sailing. Takitimu Seniors were also second in the senior swimming relay race. During the week a large number of the scouts travelled to Rotorua, where the day was spent viewing the thermal attractions. The visitors were also made welcome in Tauranga, a march through tiie streets being held.