SCOUTS TO THE RESCUE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 10 January 1925, Page 12

SCOUTS TO THE RESCUE

FAMILY’S SORRY PLIGHT. In a broken-down three-roomed shack, wtiere tattered coat-sacks served lu screen tlie windows, and ti'to-stampo flopped against the sides were ail unit prevented tlie banding t-rom toppling rrom its frail foundations, scoutmasters attached to. the Sanuwell camp ail iNev iinglitcn came across a family in exceptionally straightened circumstances cast week (says tne Lyttelton Times), teo bad were the conditions under whicn the people were existing, tiiat tne mother declared that she, ner husband and two children, had had nothing better than bread and dripping lor their Christmas dinner. Indeed, -this had been their only fare lor weeks past, and they were quite definite m telling their visitors that they were very glad to get even that. The husband had been out of work for several months, and at the time the scoutmasters visited the house the tanniy had no food at ali. Two scoutmasters who “discovered tlie unfortunate family, came to the conclusion that their condition was the result of pure misfortune and set about the task of effecting considerable improvements. With the help of others of the scout party a swing was made for the repairs were effected to the house, and the men, despite the long tramp they had before them, gave the people all the provisions they carried in their havereasks. As there were five scoutmasters in the party, and each carried sufficient provisions for three meals, the family larder soon had a much more pleasing appearance than it had borne for many months. Of course the people were very thankful for the good fortune that had come their way, a lid the scoutmasters say that the mother in her heart-felt gratitude had tears in her eyes as she bade them goodbye. Among the few possessions that she claimed was an old autograph book, in which each scoutmaster signed his name.