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Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 281, 12 November 1929, Page 5

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NEW ZEALAND BOY SCOUTS ■*A PERFECTLY WONDERFUL TIME.” CARVED TOTEM POLE FROM CHIEF. (Par Press Association.! Wellington, Nov. 12. Tanned, and looking the picture of health and spirits and full of regrets that the most eventful five months of their careers were ended, the New’ Zealand contingent of Scouts arrived back by the Ulimaroa from the jamboree at Birkenhead. They are consoled. however, by the approach to home. Commissioner Cooksey, who was in charge of the contingent, said that they had had a perfectly wonderful time from the time they left New Zealand to the day they arrived back. Tlie jamboree itself was magnificent arid unforgettable and the New Zealand contingent in its Maori pa was not the least conspicuous of the component parts. The contingent brought back with them a carvea totem pole, the gift of the Chief Scout from a 1200-years-old oak tree on his own property, Paxhill Park. It is typically Maori and will be treasured with a flag, also presented by the Chief Scout. As Overseas Commissioner of New Zealand Scouts; Mr. Cooksey received from Lord Baden Powell a 'ine walking stick made out of oak taken, from the old Westminster Hall. To keep in touch with one another now that they have returned, the Maori members of the contingent, who were of the Ngapuhi tribe, resolved on an annual reunion at Wembley. The contingent of 1924 were of the Arawa tribe, the Arawas being the first Maoris to come to New Zealand. The Ngapuhis were the second arrivals. On the final night of the trip the Ngapuhis presented Commissioner Cooksey with an illuminated address and a bronze statue in recognition of all he had done. Assistant Commissioner Sandford was presented with two autograph books.

The Hastings quota of the Boy Scout contingent are expected to arrive home by to-morrow night’s mail train, when they will be given a rousing welcome on the railway station by their comrades.