SCOUT NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21579, 17 December 1931, Page 12

SCOUT NOTES

(By

“Pathfinder.”)

NIGHTCAPS TROOP IN CAMP.

Some 28 scouts of the Nightcaps Troop went into camp on Friday last under the leadership of Scoutmaster Phelan. The camp was highly succesful. It was held in an empty house on the property of Mr P. Sinclair at Opio. Ideal weather contributed in a large measrue to the camp’s success. Scouter Phelan has proved himself an exceedingly capable and energetic scoutmaster and his troop shows great promise and great progress has been made. Mrs Phelan also attended the camp and her influence was an outstanding feature of the camp. The care of feeding the boys was under her very capable management and she was voted by all as a “great scout.” A party of Invercargill scouts comprised of District Cubmaster Wilson, Scoutmaser Woodfield and Scouts Hall-Jones and McCrostie, visited the camp on Saturday. The visit was most enjoyable and each member of the party was impressed by the keenness and zest displayed by the lads. Their performance of the several Maori hakas learnt by them was worthy of the Maori originators and is indicative of the spirit of the scouts of that troop. The programme included a hike to some falls, a visit to some gold workings where the lads were shown how to “pan” gold, games, hakas, inspection by the visitors, church service, a “Chinese revolution” at night and a treasure hunt. This proved an arduous task and was won by Scout Colin Welsh. Good camping Nightcaps! We wish you the best of luck. CUB. CAMP. The combined cub camp, open to all cubs in Southland, will commence on New Year's Eve, Thursday, the 31st inst, and will close on Monday, January 4. The site is at Lennel, Gladstone, in the shelter of the trees near Elies road and inside accommodation is available in case of wet weather. Cubs from country packs will be met at the train or bus on arrival on the 31st inst: the cubmaster should communicate beforehand with D.C.M. L. Wilson to make arrangements about this. They will proceed straight to the camp. Town cubs are expected to be in camp by 630 p.m. Each cub must provide 3/- (that is 9d per day) for food, and in addition may bring cake, biscuits or other luxuries. Each cub must bring the following: Blankets, two sacks, change of underclothing, two pairs of stockings, change of shoes, toilet gear, overcoat, cleaning outfit for shoes, mug, plate, knife, fork and spoon. Full uniform should be worn if available.

It is hoped that as many boys as possible will take advantage of this opportunity. Cubmasters should get in touch with Mr Wilson right away so that the requirements for provisions may be gauged. Parents are invited to inspect the camp at any time so that they can satisfy themselves as to the comfort of the boys. The camp will also be thrown open to visitors on Saturday afternoon, January 2. (Entrance by Elies road gate.) Anyone willing to lend a tent is asked to get in touch with Mr L. Wilson, Grey street.

ST. PAUL’S “FIRST CLASS” HIKE. On Saturday last at 2 p.m. a party consisting of nine scouts accompanied by their scouter set out from the troop headquarters (St. Paul’s Hall) for the “first class” hike. Each scout carried his own kit .containing blankets, food etc. necessary for the journey.

The course chosen was north along Dec street to Waikiwi, across the recreation ground to West Plains, then west to the Little Bush bridge. The road, which here turns in a northerly direction, was followed until the farm of Mr Whyte was reached. Here the evening meal was prepared and soon the bam, lent by Mr Whyte, was turned into very comfortable sleeping quarters.

On Sunday morning the party set out for the Wallacetown township where the church service was attended. Lunch was prepared on the banks of the Makarewa River. After the usual rest, swimming and general “free and easy” were indulged in until 3 p.m. when all started on the final stage of the journey. The course followed the road to Underwood then across country in a southeasterly direction to the corner of the North and Moore’s roads. This was halfway and after the usual 10 minutes rest the tramp was resumed to the corner of Duke and Dee streets. The 20 miles were completed there. A very tired and in some cases, foot-sore party then dispersed. The following were successful in completing the journey for the Scout First Class: —Troop Leader S. McLean; Patrol Leaders: R. Winning and W. Adam; Scout Second Class for First Class: M. Fearn, J. Fox, N. Dorman, D. Cole, W. Miller and F. Morrison. Maps and descriptions are still to come to hand. The times for the hike were as follows: Miles, 20; hiking time, 8 hours 5 minutes; average miles per hour, 2*; average time per mile, 24-1 minutes.

The scouter wishes to congratulate the above-mentioned scouts. The journey was six miles further than required by regulations. It was a gruelling test of endurance. The kit was heavy and the days hot. .Apart from being a little foot-sore, scouts, you stood the trip well. VISIT TO LAKE HAUROTO. Last week-end a party of four scouts and two scouters from Gladstone left by car for Lake Hauroto. Saturday night was spent at the fishing camp at the mouth of the Waiau and an early start was made the following morning for the lake. Leaving the car at 9.20 the party arrived at the lakeside at 11.40. There they fed sumptuously as only a tramper can, and made a start on the return journey at 1 o’clock. The beauty of the bush can hardly have been credited with holding the party spellbound, in fact I think they were practising some new scout choruses when suddenly there was a rustle in the bush close by. Visions of scenes of “Trader Horn” flashed before their minds, then three deer were espied posing on the top of the ridge. After duly admiring their beauty in their native surroundings of tall and graceful trees, the scouter fed one on lead to which it quickly succumbed. Shortly after, supported on broad shoulders he was travelling towards the car and was finally deposited on the bonnet and securely fastened. The final scenes were laid around tea-tables where happy tales of rare adventure were recounted and plans discussed for future trips.