High School Camp Breaks Up After Six Days In The Sun

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1939, Page 8

High School Camp Breaks Up After Six Days In The Sun

A FTER a week of healthy camp life, whangarei high A SCHOOL BOYS BROKE UP THEIR BARRACKS THIS MORNING AND RETURNED HOME, WELL TANNED BY THEIR SIX BAYS IN THE OPEN, AND OUTWARDLY SHOWING THE BENEFIT OF THEIR SHORT STAY UNDER CANVAS. MORE THAN 200 BOY'S WERE ENCAMPED AT THE SCHOOL GROUNDS FOR THE OCCASION, WHILE NINE OFFICERS AND THREE WARRANT-OFFICERS WERE IN CHARGE OF THE BAR RACKS.

When reveille sounded at 5.30 this morning, the boys turned out, and. except for half-an-hour for breakfast, spent until 10.30 striking camp, the boys then being officially dismissed.

Visitors Entertained. Yesterday afternoon was visitors’ day at the camp, and more than 300 parents and friends were entertained by the boys at afternoon tea. Sports were also indulged in, while a display of semaphoring and signalling was given. In the evening, a grand final concert was hilariously indulged in by the boys. An inspection of the camp took place yesterday afternoon, after which the battalion fell in and marched past, the salute being taken by Major Morrison, N.Z.M.R. (North Auckland). , Tent-pitching and striking competitions were indulged in, one team of four representing each of the four houses —Carruth, Hobson, Grey and Marsden. The boys were required to double 25 yards, erect a tent, and stand-by the completed task. The umpire, Sergeant-Major J. W. McMurray, N.Z.P.S. (Dargaville), awarded first place to Hobson House, with Grey second, the other two teams being disqualified for faulty erection. Marsden House won the striking competition, the teams being required to double 25 yards, strike and pack the tent, and double back to the starting point. All other teams were disqualified for faulty packing. Various Events.

Knox, assisted by Mrs. F. U. Roberts. Lieutenant-Colonel S. H. Ward was medical officer. The Soup Incident According to Sergeant-Major Thomson, it was the first camp he had been to in 25 years where tin-openers had not been required.

Except for some slight indisposition following the consumption of tomato soup on Thursday evening, there were practically no cases of illness during the camp. The mysterious tomato soup case was investigated by the medical officer, who reported that the after-effects were not serious. In a short time all the boys affected had been able to partake of full rations as though nothing had happened. The rumours which had spread of a serious outbreak of poisoning were entirely unfounded.

Tabloid athletics were indulged in, 12 teams taking part, three being from each houses divided into A, B and C groups. One officer and four cadets were in charge of each event, which comprised 100 yards sprinting, 50 yards skipping, putting the shot, high jump, standing long jump, standing hop, step and jump, 75 yards threelegged race, 75 yards hopping, 50 yards jockey race, 50 yards hand and feet race, and “rest” race.

Some very exciting finishes resulted, Carruth House coming off victorious with 116 points, followed by Hobson (104), Grey (91), and Marsden (61).

Finals of the school athletic club’s events were also held, results being:— 300 yards, final: N. Ross (Grey), 1; R. Wright (Carruth), 2; A. McKay (Carruth), 3.

100 yards, semi-final.—First heat: I. McKay (Carruth), 1; C. Rasmussen (Grey), 2; P. Hosking (Carruth), 3. Second heat: R. Wright (Carruth), 1; J. Stanton (Hobson), 2; E. Harnett

(Grey), 3. Thirs heat: Gordon (Grey), 1; I. Lock (Carruth), 2; M. J. Richards (Carruth), 3. Fourth heat: N. Ross (Grey), 1; C. Hoskin (Carruth), 2; O. Haigh (Hobson), 3. Boys Have Good Time Signalling by helio and semaphore by a special platoon under the command of Lieutenant J. T. Shaw, N.Z.R., and assisted by Sergeant C, Wotherspoon, N.Z.P.S., proved very interesting, messages being sent by both methods from the tennis courts in the school nearby to the hill at the back of Weaver’s property facing the camp.

Ample variety of evening entertainment was provided during the week. Monday night was given up to a talk by Lieutenant-Colonel S. H. Ward, N.Z.M.C.,' on camp sanitation and hygiene. This was followed by an impromptu concert by Carruth House. On Tuesday evening an impromptu concert was given by Grey House, while on Wednesday. a lecture was given by Mr. G. Reid, representing the Whangarei Swimming Club, on swimming and life-saving. An impromptu concert by Hobsoon House completed the programme. 'Mr. R. H. Packwood, District Engineer of the P.W.D., gave an address on the Waitaki hydro-electric scheme on Thursday evening, his talk being illustrated by lantern slides. Last night was the greatest of all nights, there being a grand combined concert, in which all had a part. Camp Personnell Camp Commandant during barracks’ week was Captain H. G. Dyer, second in command and adjutant being Captain G. M. Robertson. A Company commander was Lieutenant W. J. Glanville, second in command being j Lieutenant L. G. Miller. Lieutenants |H. R. Heward and E. H. Blow were j also attached to this company. B Company was commanded by Lieutenant E. Gumming, Lieutenant A. McDell being second in command.

Lieutenant J. T. Shaw was in. charge of headquarters’ wing. Members of the Permanent Staff present at the camp were SergeantMajor J. Thomson, Sergeant-Major J. W. McMurray and Sergeant C. Wotherspoon. Officers from the school were:— Battalion Sergeant-Major, H. James; A Company Sergeant-Major, H. Beale; B Company Sergeant-Major. R. Gurr; Quarter-Master Sergeant, I. Johnston; Band Sergeant. J. McKenzie. Cooking was in charge of Mr. L,