THE SYDENHAM SCHOOL CAMP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6073, 10 January 1898, Page 4

THE SYDENHAM SCHOOL CAMP.

! An example ir«tar *_ £ ls 3«t. -ow being set by Mr J- Baldwin headBaldwin conceived the- idea of planning an outL for a number _*t the boys in the 3 standards of his school, and oiguiaed a campiug party as the means to that end. Between fifty and sixty boys are encamped in the private grounds of Mr Tapley at Governor s Bay, where camp was pitched on Sunday Jan. 2. lhe boys marched over the lull from Sydenham early on Monday morning, Jan. 3. under the direction of Messrs Miller and M'Gallan, and then found that the advance party under Mr Baldwin had nine bell-tents erected and in readiness for their reception. The tramp over the hill, via Dyer's Pass, was a fatiguing journey, for the day was exceedingly hot, but after a brief rest the boys were ready for the few light job!? required of them to put the camp in orde* From that time the strictest discipline .^as been observed, and when a Lytteltor Times representative visited the camp /esterday it was apparent that the boy* were completely under the control of their master and th© drill instructor allowed by the Defence .Department to attend the camp. Amongst the " orde^ <>£ the camp read out on 'Mondor «vening, there was a special referent t° the penalty to be enforced sho«id any boy be found trespassing in uny of the adjoining gardens, and further precaution was taken by insisting that no boy was to leave the camp without permission. These provisions i have proved ample, and it is pleasing to be able to say that not a complaint of any kind has been heard from the residents of the district. Each tent is in [ charge of a f ent captain, who is, generally speaking, one of the older boys, and he is : responsible for the conduct of his fellow- ■ occupants, and attends to getting the meals and so forth. The bugle is sounded at 5 a.m.', and at 5.30 the boys fall-in," and the roll is called. After breakfast, which is cooked in camp, the [ bigger boys assisting, they again f all-in and are drilled, for an hour or so. Then comes the adjournment for a dip in the sea, which is taken under the supervision of Mr Baldwin himself ; dinner ; more drill ; and then a ramble in the bush and to the beach concludes the afternoon's work. The mid-day meal yesterday consisted of cold corned beef, hot potatoes, plum pudding, and plenty of good wholesome milk. The captains of each tent were lined up, and, with the able assistance of Mrs Baldwin, five or six minutes sufficed to see each tent captain hurrying off with the supply for his fellow messmates ; and what a supply ! A special word of praise is due to Mrs Baldwin, who is staying at the bay, but who spends the greater part of her time in carrying out the catering arrangements for fifty-five hungry boys, and the success of the camp is in a large measure due to her unceasing care and forethought. Yesterday afternoon a very large number of visitors, including parents of the boys, were at the camp, and at three o'clock a camp service was conducted by Eev J. J. Doke. The boys were paraded, and formed a square in the centre of the camp, the visitors being on the outside, and the Eev J. J. Doke preached a very appropriate sermon from the Fifth Commandment, " Honour thy father and thy mother," specially selected by Mr Baldwin. A collection was taken up for Herrick'Si Horned On Saturday evening the pupils gave an entertainment to about fifty visitors. The programme consisted of vocal and instrumental selections and recitations, in all of which'the lads acquitted themselves very creditably. The singing of " Home, Boys, , Home," and "Eule Britannia," in chorus, was especially enjoyable. After singing the National Anthem, Mr Baldwin, the head-master, thanked the visitors for their attendance, and the company dispersed. The boys were then off duty until nine o'clock, and free to indulge in games and sports to fill in the remaining daylight. Discipline and good order were everywhere noticeable, and the boys will not readily forget their teacher's kindness in providing for them so excellent and pleasant an outing.