The Wigwam

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1043, 6 August 1930, Page 14

The Wigwam

Here we gather , here we meet in pow-wow friendly and discreet. To talk of earth, and sea, and slcy, and watch the world of men go by.

A GOLDEN TRUMPET

IN the days when the minutes were wishes and the sun shone all the time, and no weather clerk was needed to predict storms or other unpleasant conditions, there lived a little greenclad boy with blue eyes and sunny curls, whose duty it was to stand on the edge of the world and announce the passing of time through a golden trumpet. Every hour he would make his announcement, and the people would take their time from him and know how long they had to spend at their ball games or the other pleasant contests they were engaged in. Then the Seasons decided to make the world their home, and with them came the weather clerk, with his rain gauges and other unheard-of instruments, and all in a twinkling everything was changed. The hours were divided into days and nights and the years into periods of four seasons, and soon it was obvious that the services of the little announcer with the golden trumpet would no longer be needed. “Never mind,” said the fairest of the Seasons, whose name was Spring, “you can help me to hang the catkins on the trees and unfold the new green leaves. And so that your golden trumpet will never be lost to the world we shall have flowers made to exactly resemble its pattern.” Perhaps on sunny days the ghost of the little boy with the golden trumpet still stands on the rim of the world, and certain it is that daffodils bloom wherever Spring sets foot in a garden. REDFEATHER.

WITH THE BOY SCOUTS Gilt Cross Presented At the Proficiency Badge night at St. James’s Hall last evening the Gilt Cross for brave;ry was presented to Pleader Drummond Hall, of St. Mary’s Troop. With the assistance of another boy, Master Cyril Hilliard, this Scout rescued Ross Hill, aged 5, who fell off the wharf at Murray's Bay on January 27, 1929. The two boys were fishing, and some smaller children were playing on the wharf, when little Ross Hill lost his balance and fell into Y2ft of water. It was almost dark, and th« tide was going out, but Hall and his companion plunged in, locating the drowning child by his white hat. and brought him safely back to the wharf. Hall, being a Scout, has been awarded the Gilt Cross for his share in the rescue. The presentation was made by Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, Metropolitan Commissioner. • * • The Auckland Scouting District The Auckland Scouting district is now organised as follows: Metropolitan Commissioner, Mr. W. J. Holdsworth; District Commissioner. Mr. A. J. Veart; Assistant District Commissioner for Wolf Cubs, Mr. N. M. Matheson; Assistant District Commissioner for Sea Scouts, Mr. R. A. "Woods; District Rover Leader, Mr. C. Buxton Bach. No. 1 District.—Assistant District Commissioner, Mr. A. S. Oxley; District Scoutmaster, Mr. L. S. Abbott. Troops: All Saints, Herne Bay, Leys Institute, Grey Lynn. Gordon, West Street, St. James, St. Columba, Judean, Devonport, New Lynn, Glen Eden. No. 2 District.—Assistant District Commissioner, Mr. A. V. Windsor; District Scoutmaster, Mr. S. Beek; District Cubmaster, Mr. A . J. Gaily. Troops: St. Barnabas’s, Shackleton, Kitchener, Cornwell. St. Albans, Edendale, St. George, Mount Albert, White Swan. No. 3 District.—Assistant District Commissioner, the Rev. R. J. Stanton; District Scoutmasters, Messrs. A. Trtbblfj and N. "Walker; District Cubmaster, Mrs. A. E. M. Roughton. Troops: St. Mary’s, St. David's, St. Aldan’s, Kohimarama, St. Heliers, Fanmure, Ellerslie, Otahuhu, Papakura, Drury, Pukekohe, Waiuku, Onehunga. St. Peter’s, Tahutimai, Epsom, North Memorial. No. 4 District (Sea Scouts). —Assistant District Commissioner, Mr. R. A. Woods; District Sea Scout Master, Mr. R. Iversen. Troops: Calliope, Vindictive, Hawke, Victory, Fame. • • • Warrants Issued At the Scouters* dinner last Saturday evening, after Commissioner Holdsworth had presented Mi\ A. Tribble with a five years' bar to his service medal and Mr. D. Watts with his five years’ medal, warrants were issued to the following:—Mr. S. J. Marks, Scoutmaster, Paremoremo Troop; Mr. C. J. Peake, Assistant Scoutmaster, St. Peter’s Troop; Mr. N. E. Carson, Assistant Scoutmaster. Herne Bay Troop; Mr. D. R. Hyde, Scoutmaster, Mt. Albert Troop; Mr. R. Mcßride, Assistant Scoutmaster, Mt. Albert Troop; Mr. A. J. Carpenter, Scoutmaster, All Saints’ Troop; Mr. J. F. Curtis, Assistant Scoutmaster, Kitchener Troop; Mr. E. Taylor, Cubmaster. Grey Lynn Pack; Mr. J. Burton, Cubmaster, Onehunga Town Pack; Miss J. McGowan, Cubmaster, Herne Bay Pack, and Mr. W. Upton, Assistadt Cubmaster, Hospital Pack. * m ♦ First Class Tests First Class tests will be held at Lake St. John on Saturday, August IG. The results of the First Class tests at Western Springs last Saturday are as follow: Signalling. Harvey and Hicks (Edendale), McLellan (St. James), Anderson (Gordon), Jacombs (Kitchener), McKeown (Herne Bay). First Aid.—Don (Kitchener) and Clark (Hawke Sea Scouts). Conventional Signs.—Neville (St. Heliers,, Anderson (Gordon), Freer, Stewarv, and Don (Kitchener), McLellan (St. James), Clark and Lantrabeer (Hawke), Hfcks (Edendale), McKeown (Herne Bay). Judging.—Clark and Henry (Hawke), Blakey (Mount Albert) and Freer (Kitchener). * * * Judean Troop The Judean Troop is being reformed with Scoutmaster Zukerman in charge and Messrs. Marks and Goldberg as Assistant Scoutmasters. All three officers were presept at the Scouters’ dinner.

White Swan Troop Twelve White Sw n boys were initiated at Waikowhai by members of the Cornwall Rover Crew last Monday evening. Rovers Conquer, Ely and Taylor each initiated a separate patrol, and at the conclusion of the ceremony Rover Watts read the Chief Scouts’ Jamboree address on the Scout Promise. This was followed by a game, after which the Cornwell Scouts gave an ambulance display, the evening concluding with a sing-song and supper. Mr. Williams, Scoutmaster of the White Swan Troop, left yesterday for the Rotorua district, and the Assistant Scoutmaster will carry on the troop. * * • Winged Arrow reports for the Ellersli , Troop: “The past month has been one of moderate activity in the Ellerslie Troop. The rearranged patrols, Tuls, Bulls, Eagles, Kiwis and Morepork, are engaged in settling down. On parade nights we are continuing our few minuets’ sing-song. We have also tried out a new game, ‘Soccer on the Ice.’ The ice is the hall’s slippery

floor, and the teams at present are three a-side. The ball is an old boxing glove. Handling is absolutely forbidden. We have played it once and found it quite good.’’ * * • Great Lone Eagle reports for the Devonport Troop: “Our Parents’ Evening, which was held on July 17, was very successful. There was a great gathering of parents and two representatives from the Legion of Frontiersmen, who gave a .short speech during the interval. “The first item was a cornet solo by Leader Bennett, accompanied by Mrs. Bennett. The second and third items were an ambulance display by the Cubs and signalling bj f the Scouts. Next came the camp-fire, which was very interesting with a fire flickering in the dark hall and Scouts and Cubs singing and reciting. “After this item, supper was served while the Scouts gave a physical culture display and pyramid building. Our committee was formed and his Worship the Mayor was elected patron. Dr. Pope secretary and Mr. Robinson chairman. At the .conclusion of the evening the National Anthem was played and tlie troop dismissed. “During the coming holidays a camp Is anticipated for the boys.” GIRL GUIDES’ CORNER Bronze Wing reports for the Cavell Company: “The past month was a very exciting one, the main item perhaps being on Saturday, July 5, when we held our ninth birthday party, which was a very happy one indeed. The hall was decorated to represent a pirate ship, and the cake, which was also made in the form of a ship, was enjoyed by everyone. Some of the Rangers were dressed as pirates, and they captured the rest of the company, and we ha<-\ to walk the plank before our last meal. “We were also very fortunate in having a week-end at Otimai from July 18-20. The time was. spent in country dancing, nature games, poledrill ‘Guides Own’ and the best of all • —camp-fire. One of the nicest things about Otimai is that it is not goodby-, for ever, but just ‘Au Revoir.’ l“On Wednesday, July 23, we held a gift evening to obtain gifts for the bazaar. We entertained our visitors with pole-drill, country dancing, also the Dutch Tragedy and the High Tower, which have been very popular plays since Dominion Camp. “July 30, being the last Wednesday in the month, was our ‘work’ night. Each patrol had to hoist the colours and do square and diagonal lashing. Captain and Lieutenant acted a little scene dealing with the health rules, and then we wrote down the rule 3 broken and kept. “On Saturday, August 2, we held our annual bazaar, which was opened by our Divisional Commissioner, Mrs. Coates, and it proved very successful. The stalls, which were gaily decorated with coloured papers, looked very attractive when all the articles had been arranged on them. In the evening Dr Margaret Knight presented two very enjoyable plays and various tableaux.’’ • * •

Dancing Star supplies the following First Takapuna news: “Violet Whittaker has been initiated Leader of the Clover Patrol, and Nancy Arthur has been made her Second. The cup and the ribbon for attendance were won last month by the Speedwell patrol. We have been doing Second Class work lately, and several girls have won their badges. Because the hall was being used for another purpose that night we could not hold our meeting on July 24. “We play inter-patrol basketball matches nearly every Saturday, different patrols combining each time to form the teams. A match was played against the Brett Company, and after a hard game we defeated them by one goal. “We are holding our second annual dance on August 9/’ , Dream Cloud, of the Arohanui Company, writes: “The chief event of the month was our Leaders’ week-end at Gittos Bay, where there is a bach, belonging to the family of an ex-Leader. This they kindly lent us for the week-end, and it was much appreciated by all who had the privilege of being present. “Our family consisted of Miss E. Strong, Kakamai Ranger Lieutenant, who acted as Commandant; Captain and four of the five Leaders, Lietitenant arriving on Sunday. “On the Saturday afternoon we hiked round the vicinity of Blockhouse, re - turning in time for the preparation of tea. After tea and orderly work we played hide and sneak, in the dark, ancl the outbursts of laughter which arose could be heard no short distance away. Following this we had campfire. when Captain told us one of her wonderful stories. “About eight o’clock on Sunday morning we rose and eventually breakfasted. After this and orderly duties, which lasted some time, we had nature and First Class work. Captain then read extracts from ‘The Joy of the Road.’ Dinner was then served, after which we tidied up, cleaned shoes and had rest-hour. ‘Guides’ Own,’ conducted by Commandant, then took place. We left at about seven o’clock, taking with us the spirit of the out-of-doors and leaving behind the sound of Girl Guide laughter. “During the Leaders’ absence, Lieutenant, with the Seconds, took the meeting. Last month the cup was won by the Poppies, the Robins coming second. On July 6 church parade was held at Balmoral. On August 9 three Leaders and three Seconds are to be invested.’’ Northern Star reports for the Kaitaia Company; “On July 5 Captain mentioned that a

cup had been presented to our company for competition in ambulance work by two appreciative visitors to the North. She also asked for ideas for something the company could do for the public benefit. “At our next meeting, Lieutenant and two Guides had ten minutes’ start to lay a trail, which the rest of the company then followed. After some time they were located in some teatree, and we then marched back to the hall. Captain then asked for our ideas. The Red Rose patrol had two Ideas, for which they received 15 marks. The Bluebell patrol received 10 marks for their idea. The Red Rose girls had begun on their first idea, which was to mend the hospital bed linen, and had spent the meeting working at our Guide-Mother’s house. After a signalling game We were dismissed. “On Sunday, July 13, we had church parade at the Presbyterian Church, the Bluebell patrol carrying the flag. “After ceremonial on July 19, when one girl was enrolled and some service stars were given out, we revised Second Class work. The Red Rose patrol spent some of the meeting at their working bee. Before dismissal we had a dance and a game. “On July 26 another Guide was enrolled, and a Leader was invested. We then marched up to the hospital to see the bed which the gardener had prepared for us and which is to be our very own. (The Red Rose patrol’s second idea.) We planted the border and then returned to the hall, and after a dance and ‘musical afrms’ were dismissed.”