SCOUTS’ CYCLING TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1933, Page 2

SCOUTS’ CYCLING TOUR

470 MILES ROUTE COVERED. OHURA PARTY’S VENTURE. (From a Correspondent.) After nearly three weeks’ cycling in the provinces of Wellington, Auckland and Taranaki, Scoutmaster Mugridge, Troop-leader Neville Jones, Scouts Dawber, Esdaile, Stevenson and Williams returned to Ohura sound and fit, full of reminiscences of things they had seen and full of praise for the kindness and help they had received on the road. Starting from Ohura on Monday, January 2, with all the comforts of a camp packed on their bicycles and in their haversacks, they cycled via Tokirima and the Wanganui River Road to Taumarunui, where they had dinner with the Rev. Haynes and Mrs. Haynes. A long climb brought them to Owhango. Sufficient for the day was here declared, and the tent pitched. The first night tested their scouting skill. It was wet and windy but the tent stood taut. They emerged from it at daybreak with everything in order and nothing wet. It is part of the fun of a trip like this to cook breakfast over an open fire, to make porridge in a billy without burning it, and broil the chops on spits. Breakfast oyer, the business of pack-ing-up, distributing the loads, seeing all was properly secured, was finally done to the satisfaction of the scoutmaster. Away they went gathering in the pure air of the Waimarino Plains on their way to National Park. A good site for the tent was found about a quarter of a mile from the Chateau.

The stay there proved a very enjoyable part of the holiday. Mr. Cobbe, manager of the Chateau, and Mrs. Cobbe were very good to the boys and helped them to make the most of the natural features of this invigorating resort. Among other exploits, they nearly reached the top of Mount Ruapehu, but a fierce gale across the crater kept their heads well below the rim.

After a memorable five days around the Chateau the scouts left on Monday for Ohakune, camping at the camp site. From there after a 60-mile run the party pulled up for the night at a place near a church seven miles from Wanganui. One scout says the place was an old burial ground, but the evidence appears to be slender and unsubstantial—more akin to such stuff as dreams are made of?.

With extra attention to detail, the troop, next day rode into Wanganui. A call was made upon Mr. Christie, Commissioner of Scouts for the Wanganui district. He placed at their service two Wan r ""' , ui scouts. With their help a good site was found and the tent erected near the beach at Castlecliff. A long swim in the sea, tea with Miss Boulton, listening-in to Kingsford Smiths landing at New Plymouth, with pictures in the evening marked the end of a perfect day.

Thursday saw them on the highway to Eltham with stopping places at Kaponga and Hawera. By the way, those responsible may like to know the Ohura scouts found the camping ground at Hawera to be “top-hole.” At Eltham Scoutmaster Blackman proved a brother scout indeed and Mrs. Blackman was kindness itself. Mr. Blackman devoted Saturday and Sunday to taking them up Mount Egmont, first staying a night at Syme Hut. It happened to be Mr. Mugridge’s birthday on the day they climbed. Being the first two scouts to reach the summit, Alan Dawber and Fred Stevenson had the whimsical pleasure, of wishing their scoutmaster “many happy returns of the day” on top of Mount Egmont. But there was a long way to go yet, so early on Monday morning they set off for New Plymouth. The charm of tins part of Taranaki was felt at once. The call of the sea, the beauties of Pukekura Park, the attractiveness of Devon Street made the days fly. Stiff determination was needed as they set out on Wednesday on a 61-mile .run to Awakino. Mount Messenger’ was thought very fine and Tongaporutu was regretfully passed, but Awakino was a bit too far so they pulled up at dusk at Mokau. By this time, the troop was expert at camp life. Each scout had his job. Inside of 45 minutes the tent was up, beds made, tea ready. Another 45 minutes and tea was finished. Maipu was the next halting place. It was in these parts than an unknown carrier was met who gave them a long lift over many miles of hilly roads. Then the last lap home through Ongarue and Taumarunui, and by the River Road and Tatu completing a total distance of 470 miles.

The trip was a great success. Unstinted praise was given for the care, guidance and thoughtfulness of Mr. Mugridge, but he for his part attributed the happiness of the outing to the spendid scouting qualities of his five scouts, and to the unfailing kindness of friends and helpers everywhere.