SCOUT NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18874, 18 February 1933, Page 15 (Supplement)

SCOUT NEWS

PROGRESS AT MAEROA. SEVERAL HIKES HELD. Good progress Is reported by the Maeroa Troop, and with 15 Scouts and. 19 Cubs striving bard to be efficient, work is going ahead famously. Several bikes, where instruction was given in cooking, second-class tests, and proficiency badges, have been held. —“Keep It up, Maeroa!” UNIQUE GOOD TURN. DIRECTING AN AEROPLANE. TE AWAMUTU’S ACCOMPLISHMENT. Lunch was Just over at the Te Awamutu’ camp and the rest hour In progress when the still rare sound of an aeroplane roused the camp. Great was the excitement when It was realised that a landing ground was being searched for. The rally whistle was blown and all Scouts told to keep Inside camp limits unttl the plane had landed. Meantlmo Scouters were busy signalling to the airman Information re the grounds. In a short time one Scouter was perched on a telephone pole with his scarf waving to point out tho wires, another was pointing out rences, and the third was giving general landing Information. With a dip of the plane wings the Information was received, a swoop and a circle and down she came, to make a beautiful landing Just outside the camp. In a very little while a crowd of admiring Scouts was crowding round, questions were popped like machine-gun fire at the fliers, and offers of assistance were showered on the men. A very willing crew soon had the plane wheeled Into a safe place, and two very proud Scouts mounted guard (with unlimited powers) to keep the curious from doing damage. Meanwhile the filers were partaking or the cup that cheers, dispensed by our cheery camp mother. The plane stayed In our care till arter lunch on Sunday, and many were the longing looks which followed Its night to Napier. or course the cameras were popping anrl we now await with some an.vtety the results. All hands were given the opportunity to test the reel or a seat In the cockpit, hut not while In the air.

By “Silver, Wolf.”

“Monday and the following days meant serious work: 8.30 a.m., all turn out, wash and tidy tents, a run round the camp to wake up fully any sluggish muscles; then breakt'ast, and very soon arter our watch tower began to take shape. Twenty feet high, and topped by another 15 reet or Ragpole, we were Justly proud of our first attempt, and considering that the majority of our crew were quite new to this branch of Scouting, our time was very ralr. Lunch followed, then a res; hour, and the afternoon was given to instruction, a swim, then dinner, followed by Scout games and our working day was complete; cocoa and bed. ‘lVery soon queer looking collections of pegs and staves were springing up Hke mushrooms at tent doors. These, to the uninitiated, looked like the collection of some queer birds’ hosts, but wltb plates, cups, knives, forks, etc., planted among the various pieces or wood, they soon gave the appearance of real camp furniture. A general clean up, a swim, followed by cocoa and biscuits, and our day in camp was complote, and In a very little while peaceful sleep had Tull possession of each tent.

“Friday evening was given over to • treasure hunt, which proved a very popuar game,' especially when the ’treasure’ was unearthed and devoured. The instructions were given In the form or a narrative.

“On Saturday aU first-class and secondclass Scouts under the A.S.M. set to work and erected a solid ‘monkey’ brtdgo across the river, while the G.S.M. and S.M. took all tenderfoot Scouts for the second-class badge, at which test all proved successful, due to the very solid practice they had put In. “Sunday saw a visit from our cheery commissioner, Major R. F. Ward, who with his party arrived at 10 a.m., to be greeted by a rally as he entered the camp, followed by the Dominion haka led by our A.S.M. from his perch on top of the tower. After an Inspection of all Scouts the visiting party tested the tower. Seven herty Scouters proved a read good test. The ladles of the party declined the Invitation to be snapped on top or the structure, preferring to keep both reet on tho ground. The Inspection complete, the bridge tested, and a cup of tea drunk, a swim was next suggested, and very soon some hearty laughs floated up from the water, where it appears endeavours were being made to sink tho Chief, but It was the would-be sinkers who sank. Next came lunch, the happiest meal of the camp, and the run was In Tull swing all through the meal.

“The Commissioner and his party had to leave us at an early hour, and many were the sounds or regret at the shortness of their visit.

“A camp fire completed the day, at which we had tho company or visitors, and at a late hour we broke up arter the presentation of the treasure won by the Cat Patrol.

"Monday, 5 a.m., and the camp astir. After a cup of tea to warm us up all were busy dismantling our camp ready ror the homeward Journey. Ry \ i a .rn. all were packed and clear or the ground, arter a very happy and Instructive time.”

CAMPING JOYS.

TE AWAMUTU’S HOLIDAY. UNDER CANVAS AT WAIKERIA. “Our annual camp was held amid Ideal surroundings on that popular picnic spot known as ‘The Peninsula,’ writes "Scout el,” of the To Awainutu Troop. "The site was kindly lent by the Health Department, and we have to thank Dr. Prins l'or Ills efforts In securing us such a line camping- ground; also Mr Rogers, tne farm manager, who so kindly transferred all stock to other pastures to ensure that wo would be undisturbed.

."Saturday, January ill, dawned decidedly wet, and many were the telephone calls the Skipper received to llnd out If me arrangements to proceed to camp still held. The answer, ‘Yes,’ brought many sighs of rellcr, ami at 11. JO we were all loaded up and away for tho big adventure. Though our numbers were small our spirits were big, and we made up In hearty song what we lacked In size. Wo arrived at the camp ground at noon to find tho Kakepuktt Troop already in occupation, and those worthies, the A.S.M. and Quartermaster, with the billy boiling and giving the old call fo ‘Come ami get It—lf you want It.’ After a light lunch all hands were paraded, patrol sites allotted, tents issued, and very soon all were busy erecting their canvas homes. “Sunday was a free day ror most, but a caipp must be ooked artor. After breakfast all hands were lined up and a clean sweep made of the grounds, after which camp gadgets were completed, llrowood and water delivered at the cookhouse, and the camp fire prepared; then all were free except the cooks. Swimming was the order of the day. At 1 1 a.m. the visitors started to roll up, with tho usual collection of good things to add to our stores. Tho billies were kept boiling for visitors as well as tho camp. A camp fire In tho evening, at which each member had to ‘sing or say,’ proved a popular Item or our day’s programme, and the cocoa which followed also came In for its full share of applause.

A HIKING CAMP.

FUN WITH ST. GEORGE’S. STAY AT RUKUIIIA. “Fun with a trek-cart” has been the slogan of the St. George’s Troop during tho summer season, and several hikes culminating In their tramping camp were held In the Christmas vacation. The cart Is a very solid piece of work anti was constructed by two of the senior Scouts, Alan Henderson adti Jim Manning. The remainder of the Troop were busy with second-class and llrst-class tests and tho passing of various proficiency badges. Here Is a description of the big trek as told by the Troop scribe:— "We set oIT at s.;td a.m. on Boxing Day along the Whntawhata Road, picking op' two St. James’ Scouts en route. Five joyous miles were traversed before we decided to pitch camp at Mr Harrison’s farm at Whatawhata. where preparations were made for a stay under canvas. We returned home the following day. "On December 38 Mr j. A. Clark’s farm at Rukuhla was our objective and a stay of several days was made there. A surprise was In store for the seniors—tho Tendcrfcet gave all and sundry quite a shock when they turned on a delicious dinner of boiled beef, potatoes, cabbage, and green peas, and to follow, stewed peaches, custard and cream. in the evening visitors to tho camp joined In a hearty sing-song. Rambles In the hush occupied the next day, while on Saturday a visit was paid to the camp by Commissioner Ward. A night-hike ■to Hamilton gave us plenty of novel fun.

“This was not. however, our last hike, and we have tramped to many other places of Interest. ’■