GUIDERS’ TRAINING CAMP

Hawera Star, Volume L, 1 December 1930, Page 6

GUIDERS’ TRAINING CAMP

NEW PLYMOUTH. On Friday the Guiders in training on the banks of the Henui stream at New Plymouth .broke camp, after a week of intensive training in 'carap--1 craft and general Guide practices. The camp was in charge of Miss AA . Ly-snar of Gisborne, who lias had large experience of camping both in New Zealand and abroad. She was assisted by Miss J. Duthie, of Heretaunga. The Guiders present came from various parts of the North Island. Although the weather conditions included much rain, this was not altogether a disadvantage. as valuable experience m wet weather camping was gained by those present. The health of the camp was excellent throughout. The daily routine was as follows: Reveille at 7 a.m., followed by ‘‘colours” at 7.45; prayers (undenominational. read by commandant); breakfast at 8 a.m.; court, of honour at 10; tbnt inspection at 10.15; general training; dinner at noon; rest hour; further training; tea at 5 p.m.; campfire; lights out 9.30. On Monday afternoon the provincial commissioner, Mrs. 11. K. Morrison, formally inspected the camp. She was accompanied by Miss 1. Skinner, provincial secretary, Mrs. Broad, district commissioner for New Plymouth, Miss Berridge, district captain, and a number of ladies interested in the local branch of the movement. Other visitors to the camp included Archdeacon and Mrs. Evans, Lady Myers, the Mayor of New Plymouth and councillors, Mr. W. H. Skinner, and Dr. •

Wade, medical adviser to the camp. \ 7 isiting Scouters were Major Sandford, Cubmistress Miss Elliott, and Scouters Coleman and Hopkins. The head of camping for New Zealand, Miss Alison Kebbell, of Levin, accompanied’ by Miss I r . Pike, a Levin Guider, motored up oil AY ednesday to pay an official visit to the camp. Miss Kebbell gave an interesting talk on camping and taught the Guiders present the steps of “The Dashing .AA liite Sergeant,” the country dance which is to be performed at Wellington during the visit of Lord and Lady BadenPowell.

One evening the programme was varied by a talk oil tire pruning of roses and their cultivation, given bv Mrs. D. K. Morrison, who holds a diploma in horticulture. Airs. Morrison stayed for the evening campfire, which was also attended by local scouters and others.

The history of the picturesque camp site and its surroundings was told one evening by Mr. AY. H. Skinner, the well-known authority on Maori lore. Tlie speaker opened with a sketch of the early colonisation of Taranaki by Maori and pakelia. Then, with the Guiders grouped on the rising ground by the Henui, he pointed out the ancient pas of Puketarata and Panh a more, and the more distant lull of the fairies, Puke-o-tipua. The two old pas are still in good preservation, with the lines of the trenches easily discernible. Mr. Skinner said Pa riba mo re was famous in its day for two tilings. These were a titoki tree, from tlie berries of which was distilled a sweet scented oil used by the old-time Maori to anoint the hair and body; And a very beautiful maiden who was

the pride of her tribe. Around this maiden, Uru-kiuaki, centres a romantic story of siege and courtship which delighted the hearers. A suggestion was made by Air. 'Skinner that the camp site which has been presented to the Scouts and Guides of New Plymouth by the Avery trustees, might well be named Pari-liamoro after the historic pa beside it. \ The following day the campers to Fitzroy beach, across country, special interest being taken in the native trees. On the last night of the. camp the Guiders gave- various stunts in impromptu costumes.