GIFT OF CAMP SITE

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1933, Page 9

GIFT OF CAMP SITE

SCOUTS AND GUIDES BENEFIT PRESENTATION TO MRS. T. AVERY. MAJOR SANDFORD’S BIRTHDAY. What Major F. W. Sandford described as the culmination of a long-held wish was celebrated on the banks of Te Henui River on Saturday afternoon, when a gathering representative of the town and the Boy Scout and Girl Guide movements paid tribute to Mrs. T. Avery, senior, for her gift of land as a permanent camping and recreation reserve for the Scouts and Guides and children of New Plymouth and district. The occasion was made use of also to make presentations to Major Sandford to mark his 80th birthday. The site of the reserve is redolent of Maori history. On this side of the river is Puke-ti, and on the other Pari-Ha-mori, both hills about which doughty deeds of daring were performed by Maori warriors. Mr. W. H. Skinner informed a reporter that the reserve was originally laid off on the town belt and named Soames’ Park, after the first chairman of directors of the New Zealand Company. There is a splendid bathing pool under a woody bank. On the reserve side of the river the lower part of the land slopes gently to the water. Levelling, drainage work and tree-planting has already greatly improved the site, but, as was explained on Saturday, it is planned to do much more. A regular supply of pure water is obtainable from a spring on the sillside, and .it is here that the gift is permanently recorded in the concrete container; on a granite slab is inscribed: “The gift of Mrs. T. Avery, senior, 1928.” The approach to the reserve is from Avenue Road.

As a prelude to the tributes that were to be paid her generosity, Mrs. Avery was on Saturday afternoon presented with a bouquet by Mrs. T. Wilson, president of the New Plymouth association of the Girl Guides. “MOST EXCELLENT GIFT.” Archdeacon F. G. Evans said they were present to express their gratitude to Mrs. Avery for this splendid gift for the use of the Guides and Scouts. He was sure it would be generally agreed that it was a most excellent gift, and it had the special advantage that it would last for all time. The Archdeacon said he did not know of anything more significant of beauty of character than the giving of something that would be of use to others in the years to come. As long as she Jived Mrs. Avery would have the satisfaction of knowing that she had done a great deal for those splendid organisations, the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, and of knowing that her gift was appreciated.

The next to speak was Major F. W. Sandford, Scout, training commissioner for New Zealand. This, he said, was the culmination of a wish he had held for many years. During* the three years he had been travelling around the Dominion on behalf of the Scouting movement he had been continually impressing on Rotary Clubs and other bodies the need to obtain' permanent reserves Cor the children. In the meantime Mrs. Avery wrote him, offering this gift at New Plymouth. He had known Mrs. Avery a long time; her husband was very good to him when he arrived in the. country. He felt that now that his wish had been fulfilled at New Plymouth he could drop his work with content.

This locality lived with historical memories, proceeded Major Sandford. It was known as the Avery Trust, but to the Scouts, it would always be known affectionately •as Puke-ti. Mr. Skinner could tell them about the beautiful Maori woman living there who was desired by a chief. The chief invested the place, but rather than allow the men, women and children to continue to starve, the woman walked out and gave herself to the chief, thus showing a splendid example of noble sacrifice for others.

GOOD WORK BY RELIEF MEN.

Relief labourers had worked particularly well on the reserve, said Major Sandford. He had pointed out to them that whatever they did would be for the benefit of their children. Planting and trenching had been undertaken. Commissioner Coleman and District-Scouter Hopkins had done splendid work. Some day it was hoped to plant it with trees suitable for firewood, which was the chief lack of the reserve at present. Though over 400 trees had been planted, to-day they could see hardly one, but authority had been obtained to fence off future plantings from stock and it was hoped there would be no more losses from this cause. It was intended to plant trees for shelter.

Archdeacon G. H. Gavin expressed the opinion that the chief job in life that was worth while was the helping of young people. Mrs. Avery had the satisfaction of knowing that through this splendid gift she was helping two organisations (the Guides and the Scouts) well deserving of help. He admired these organisations because they stood for three very fine things in'' life —that their members should believe in God; that they should honour the King; and that they should do at least one good turn to their neighbours daily. He hoped the Scouts'and Guides would make use of the reserve, for by so doing they would ensure that it would never be taken away from them. Major Sandford mentioned that the deed of gift to the borough provided that the reserve was for the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides so long as 4hey were in existence and used it. If by any chance these organisations should cease to exist it was provided that the gift should be for the benefit of the children of New Plymouth for all time. The assembly gave three cheers for Mrs. Avery and her family, and sang “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Birthday gifts to Major Sandford were presented. Archdeacon Evans said Major Sandford had reached another mile-stone in life on March 29, and the Girl Guides had decided they would take this opportunity of marking the event. They wanted to show their admiration for a good man and the wonderful .work he was doing. On behalf of the Guides the archdeacon presented Major Sandford with a fountain pen as a token of their affection. Cheers and musical honours, were accorded the major.

Mrs. D. K. Morrison, provincial commissioner for Girl Guides, said the Guides had felt it was hardly fitting that the birthday should ba celebrated without a cake. Mrs. Morrison asked Major Sandford to accept a birthday cake, and expressed the hope that he would long be spared for his noble work. The cake, which. was a splendid example of culinary art, was made by Mrs. Morrison. Oblong in shape, the top was covered with almond icing. On this another layer of icing was laid in the form of a Union Jack and covered with 80 pink roses, and in the centre of each rose stood a candle. ' Archdeacon Gavin endorsed what Archdeacon Evans had said and joined in the tributes to Major Sandford. .He was the “grand old man” of the Scouting movement, had won honour throughout the world, and had been awarded the “Silver Wolf” badge, the highest honour the movement had to confer.

In reply, Major Sandford gave a demonstration of the American Scouts’ greeting. His feelings were too full to

permit him to say any more, he said. Mr. M. Avery,'on behalf of his mother, thanked the gathering for the tributes made. He thought the property was being made to serve a very good purpose and that in time to come it would be a valuable asset to the town. He urged the Scouts and Guides to make it valuable by using it fully for amusement and instruction.

Afternoon tea was served by the Guides and the birthday cake was cut. and distributed.