SCOUT JAMBOREE

Southland Times, Issue 22488, 24 January 1935, Page 5

SCOUT JAMBOREE

TALK OVER THE AIR. INVERCARGILL BOY’S IMPRESSIONS. Speaking on Monday evening from station 4ZP on his impressions of the World Boy Scout Jamboree at Melbourne, Master H. Longley said: “The South Island contingent assembled at Bluff on the evening of December 17 to await the departure of the Maheno at midnight. To fill in the time of waiting a camp fire and concert was given in the Bluff Drill Hall. The night being beautifully fine, we received a great send-off by the Bluff residents and Invercargill fellow Scouts. Punctually at midnight things began to move aboard the ship, and to the accompaniment of good-natured banter from those on shore, the last thin streamer parted, and we were on our way towards our great adventure. The voyage to Australia was more or less uneventful, the first two days being a little uncomfortable, but after that everyone improved and altogether we had quite a good trip. On arriving at our destination at 1.30 p.m. on Friday, we had to wait until all the other passengers went ashore, which took about an hour. We then proceeded to the Flinders Street station by ’bus, entraining there for Frankston. Flinders Street station by the way, is the terminus of all the suburban electric train lines, and only passengers are allowed on the station, it being necessary to show train tickets on entering. It is about one hour’s ride from Melbourne to Frankston; the fare for the scouts was 1/- return, the ordinary fare being 5/-. Arrival at Camp.

On arrival at Frankston we all piled into a lorry for another mile ride to the camp site, and I might say we felt the ground rising and falling, after the motion of the ship, for the following two days. We slept in a large marquee on the first night, erecting our tents the following day. The camp site, of 280 acres, was on rough uneven and sandy ground, skirted by thick bush, but not very well sheltered. Each camp was well provided with showers, a convenience greatly appreciated. Each country had a separate camp. The countries represented were England, Scotland, Ireland, Ceylon, Malaya, Fiji, Nauru, Belgium, France, Hungary, China, Japan, South Africa, America, Holland, Canada, Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.

The New Zealand contingent was the biggest overseas contingent at the Jamboree, being 240 strong. The commissioner in charge of the New Zealand scouts was Mr J. R. Cooksey, of Napier—a real good sport. Each camp had specially constructed gateways, representing its country. The New Zealand gateway was in the form of a Maori pah, each scout having a Maori mat, mere, takaha, tiki and stave. Our headquarters rigged up a moa, which caused a lot of fun. The Indian Scouts had a large map of India and Ceylon, made of sand, in front of their section, making a really good display. The first parade of all concerned took place on Saturday, there being 11,000 scouts and 6000 Girl Guides in the march past. The camp was then officially opened by the Governor-Gen-eral, Sir Isaac Isaacs. Chief Scout’s Remarks. On December 31 we had our first glimpse of our beloved chief, Lord Baden-Powell. Mounted on a white horse, he rode through the camp amid scenes of great enthusiasm, and despite his age of 77 years he is still as straight and soldierly as when, in his active days, he was winning fame on sterner fields. He is an excellent impromptu speaker, with a clear, strong voice. In his message to the scouts he said:— “I hope that Scouts will realize that this jamboree is not merely to enable them to come and stare at one another and to criticize one another’s dress and appearance, but also to hold out the left hand of friendship to each and every scout, to make real friends, not acquaintances.” The New Zealanders were in full Maori dress, the girls as wahines, and gave hakas and canoe songs. This scene was filmed by Fox Movietone, and will be shown in New Zealand shortly.

A huge hollow was used as the arena, the sides of which made an excellent grandstand, with numbers of amplifiers to carry to all parts of the ground. Six thousand Girl Guides took part in the celebrations this day, in lines three deep, representing the outline of Victoria, when they opened two rows of blue umbrellas representing the sea and one row of sand-coloured umbrellas as land. It was really great.

The girls were billeted in school halls, university buildings, Girls’ Friendly Societies and teachers’ training colleges, in 38 indoor camps. On Sunday, after a wonderful Scout service, the singing of which was conducted by Scouter Longden, of Dunedin, the camp was thrown open to visitors, and we had a very strenuous time answering questions concerning New Zealand. We all went into Melbourne for Christmas dinner at the Mariposa Cafe.

New Zealanders’ Display.

Friday, January 4, was the New Zealand Scouts’ big day; on that date we gave an exhibition of Maori life, as lived in the Dominion many years ago. The display opened with a hunting scene, and the Maori women (the lady cubmasters) preparing a tangi. The hunters then returned with the spoil, and after the feast a rival tribe appears. War hakas, followed by a battle, and the victors’ return, with songs of rejoicing brought the exhibition to a close. The New Zealanders were congratulated by all on their grand performance, and received the best hearing from the crowd. There were about 1200 tents, ranging from big marquees to small one-man tents, used by some Rover Scouts. In addition there were a watchmaker, chemist, hairdresser, two cake shops, laundry and a Scout shop, where hundreds of boys lined up to buy necessities overlooked at home. There were three banks, a post office and a well-conducted hospital. A thing that appealed to us was the fruit market. Oranges could be procured at four to six for 3d, bananas, apples and other fruits being correspondingly cheap. On Sunday the official Jamboree closed, but many Scouts stayed on, making trips and excursions to places of interest. The weather was very changeable: one day the temperature would be as high as 104°, and on other days we had the opposite extreme. One day in particular the camp was struck by a violent storm, necessitating the hurried work of making all tents secure. Holiday in Melbourne.

After the camp broke up I went to stay with friends in Melbourne so I will conclude with a few items of interest concerning that city. One thing I noticed was the number of cable cars in use. The picture theatres were large and artistically decorated, it costing 6d, plus 1/- tax, to see a performance. A visit was paid to Luna Park, where we spent many pleasant hours. The resort is similar to the Dunedin Exihibition, with “figure eight railways, haunted houses and such diversions. At the Museum we saw that hero of horse-flesh, the mighty Phar Lap, This was followed by a visit to the Zoo, which was marvellous.

The day of our departure now ar-

rived; we all took our farewells, and made for the wharf once again to board the Maheno for home. After a great send-off we left Melbourne and after steaming down the Yarra river for one hour and a-half entered the open sea for Milford Sound.

The trip across was without incident, the sea being very calm. The sun was not visible once during the journey across.

We arrived at Milford at 6 o’clock on Wednesday morning. I can only describe the Sound as marvellous. The captain let off four rockets in the Sound, the echo continuing through the hills for several minutes.

After leaving Milford we set sail for Bluff, arriving at 1.15 o’clock on Thursday morning, eventually to be passed by the doctor and the Customs. Then for home, thus finishing the greatest event to date in my life, and one I would not have missed.