KAPONGA NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1929, Page 7

KAPONGA NEWS

BOY SCOUTS AND CUBS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Before a good attendance of parents and friends the investiture and swear-ing-in ceremony of the recently-formed Kaponga company of Boy Scouts was carried out in the Town Hall on Monday evening by Mr. F. W. Horner (Hawera), Commissioner of the movement in South Taranaki. The Rev. P. J. Cossum, chairman of the local committee, presided. He welcomed Mr. Horner and expressed pleasure' at the presence of the Girl Guides, saying that both the guide and the scout ‘movements in any town helped to make for better citizenship, manliness and womanliness. Verdun Evans played a violin solo, and the guides sang their chorus, “The Rangers, Guides and Brownies.” An interesting exhibition of knot tying and scout drill was given by the local troop, Tom Tattersail, Verdun Evans and Collis Anderson being placed first, second and third in the knot trying competition. After the scouts had been sworn in a sketch, “The Government Stroke,” was staged by Messrs J. Tonkin, G. Davies and E. Benson, whose efforts were loudly applauded. A demonstration by the guides of first aid work and some fancy dancing interested the gathering. The Commissioner handed to master R. Ryan his warrant of appointinent by the Dominion Boy Scouts’ Association. He congratulated Mr. on undertaking the position, which, he said, was one of great honour, as he alone was responsible in all matters pertaining to the teaching and tra : ” : nq of the scouts. Mr. Uornei also presented warrants and badges to the following: Patrol-Leader Lyle Brewer, Leaders Desmond Evans and Tom Tattersail, Scouts Verdun Evans, Collis Anderson-and James Davies.

Addressing the audience, Mr. Horner said that when Kaponga had previously had a troOp of scouts its name had been well-known and its work most favourably commented on all over the Dominion. He appealed to parents to give the newly-formed scout and cub troops all the backing they could. A few words of encouragement would help them largely to live up to their ideals, and one way in which parents could help was by sending their boys regularly to practice. The boys had now joined a world-wide movement of brotherhood. At the great world jamboree in England recently scouts from all nations and of all colours had met together on common ground. No matter where or when they met scouts were all equal as brothers. It was hoped to have a combined meeting of all South Taranaki troops at Hawera early in January and to arrange for Major Sandford, who had attended the jamboree, to relate some of his experiences. Mr. Horner congratulated the Girl Guides on the strong company they had got

together and the useful work performed by them that evening. After the scouts had recited the scout law and given the Dominion haka, the National Anthem was sung. The accompaniments for the evening were played by Mesdames I. Evans and R. G. Cook. In view of the fact that the troop is practically without funds • an appeal was made to local tradespeople for assistance towards the supper, and the committee thanked the following who generously contributed goods: Mr. J. J. Davison, Messrs Firth and Frank, Mr. C. Tonkin and Mrs. I. Evans. A ladies’ committee, consisting of Mesdames Albon, P. J. Cossum, A. Corder, W. Carringtori and C. H. Brewer, was responsible for the excellence of the supper arrangements. The following scouts have almost completed their- tenderfoot passes and

will be sworn in soon: —Scouts Douglas Harding, Ken Harding, George George and Ken Catchpole. GENERAL. The final “hike” of the year for the Kaponga Company of Girl Guides was held by kind permission of Mr. C. Matthews at his property on Manaii& Road. The Guides, cooked their dinner over a campfire by the riverside. Games and swimming kept them busy during the afternoon, and the tramp homewards begun about five o’clock, occupied an hour and a-half. Mr. J. Guy kindly conveyed the company by motor-lorry on the outward journey. f ■ PERSONAL. Mrs. IS. R. Jones, of Lyall Bay, Wellington, ' S js visiting her parents,. Mr. and Mrs. J. Giiy. ■

Mr. and Mrs. A. E, Johnston, of Otaki, are on an extended visit to this district. Mrs. 0. H. Brewer is their daughter. Mrs. G. D. Bertie, accompanied by her mother, Mrs. W. Simes, returned from the Waikato on Saturday evening. Mr. C. H. Severne and his son Charles, of Auckland, are on an extended visit to Kaponga. Mrs. Olsen, of the Dominion Hotel, returned on Monday night after spending soma weeks' at Wellington.