Scout News

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18927, 22 April 1933, Page 14 (Supplement)

Scout News

ANZAC PARADE. Scouts are to fall In at Ward Street at 10.30 a.m. on Anzac Day and will talce part In the parade to the Memorial Park. Only one colour party will parade, the colour? being' supplied by the St. Peter’s l’roop. ST. PETER’S CAN’T BE SUPERSTITIOUS. The St. Peter’s Troop cannot be superstitious, Tor a party of 13 (including om-, cers) left on the 13th. for an Easter Camp. Their report shows what a good time they have had in spite of their numbers. EASTER CAMPING. V ST. PETER’S AND OTOROHANGA. EXPLORATION AND BUSH HIKING. A party of 11 senior Scouts oP the St. Peter’s Troop, Hamilton, under Troop Olltcers, left Frankton by tho south-bourn! express on Thursday evening, April 13th., to join the Otorohanga Troop on an exploration and hiking expedition in tho 1 e country, about 20 miles past Waitomo on the Marakopa main road. On arrival the St. Peter's Scouts were met by the Otorohanga Scouts, who escorted them to their Scout Hall, where .the Hamiltonians slept that night and made ready for an early -start next morning. Next morning both troops met at the Scout Hall at -1 a.m., and under Scout-, masters J. U. Craddock (Otorohanga) and G. 1. Clijrk (St. Peter’s), set out on their 35-mlle Journey' by motor to the base camp. The dawn was just breaking as we passed the Waltomp Caves Hostel, which looked like a fairy palace, set up on the hill, with its main halls ablaze with electric lights. The further we went the greater became the climb up the hilly road and the nearer came the thick bush country.. All thoughts of the sleep we had lost were completely gone by the time the site of our base camp was reached, and it was not long' before the live .tents which were to be our home lor the next few days were erected and breakfast cooking on the banks or a clear cold stream.

We were settled in, and with breakfast over, our fun was to b.sgln. We started our Easter expedition with cave-hunting, and arter a hike of about half a mile through the bush the nrst cave was found. It had only a small opening and might easily have been missed by one without experience, but the Otorohanga boys knew the signs to look for. Once 1 Inside the cave It opened out Into a huge cavity and branched into two arms. Each of thest was explored and the stacltites and stalagmites and the glow worms were a wonderful sight. During the afternoon a visit was made to the Marakopa Falls, about a

By “Silver Wolf.”

mile and a-half down the main road rrom the cainp. The stream, on the banks of which we were camping, takes a mighty leap into the valley below’ and presents a beautiful sight. To get to the bottom or the rails meant a treacherous, . though somewhat rapid, descent down the side of a huge slip on the side or the valley, but the wonderful sight presented there made the trip worth while and many line snapshots were secured. The climb up the hill was arduous and a snapshot secured by the Otorolianga S.M., shows' us scrambling up a sandy face on all fours. We arrived back Just'in time for tea and did not need much encouragement to sleep that night. On Easter Saturday morning we secured the service of a Maori guide, for It was

who has been awarded the Order of the Silver Wolf, the highest honour of the Boy Scout Movement.

out intention to try and llnd a cave known locally as the “ Tunnel.” Many of the Maoris in the district had heard oi this cave but had never seen it, so one might imagine the task w r e had set ourselves. The trail had to be cut through virgih bush and took us five miles into the thlcltly-wooded ridgea and .valleys, up

streams and the tracks of wild pigs. XVe had been travelling about two and a-half hours when there echoed the wild yelp of ifie Maori’s dog—the hunt was on! A wild pig-. The main party halted and rested while the. Guide and S.M: Craddock took up the chase. The scene ot action took place about half a mile away, and the dogs had the pig cornered when tho persuers arrived. The sharp crack of tho pine carried by the S.M. told us the chasb had ended, and we patiently waited the signal to advance. The excitement during the waiting had been Intense and the pace of the advancement to the pig was terrific for bush going. A triumphant FCene awaited us, for the pig had been placed in a shaded spot to await our home-coming. The day was advancing so we had to push on and try and make up time that was lost in the hunt. Another hour saw us making up the bank* or a stony-bottomed dear-water stream at the headwaters of which we believed the cave was situated. Later, on taking a turn in the stream, we ran into the fac« or a hill, out of which a smaller stream ran and through the bushev the outline of the entrance of the Tunnel could be seen. , , it was now nearly 2 o’clock and everyone was ready Tor lunch after the hard hike through the bush. The billies were soon boiling on the banks of the stream in the only clear space of any size we had seen that morning. The blue smoke or the bush camp-tire had a fragrance all of its own as it twisted skywards, and the twists the boys cooked tasted delicious. After a hearty meal the party made Tor the Tunnel—a lofty cavern about 200 yards long, right through the hill, with • stream running through it. Its limestone walls showed many beautirul formations and - the glow-worms on its roof - looked like the Milky Way. it was now about half-past three and time for the return Journey, for we had to be out of the bush before darkness fell. The long winding line or happy lads and their officers once more began to wend its way through the mass of supplejacks, bush fe.rns and lofty trees, at times to the outburst or some snappy tune and at others to the snapping of tha twigs as they made their way out of tha bush. Back at the spot where the pig had been captured, the officers and guide divided the spoil and later, Just as darkness came down we reached camp and set to work to cook some of that denizen or the wild. Lights out at about 8.45 p.m.. and shortly after a deep slumber reigned over the camp, the end of a perfect day. One or two heavy showers Tell during the night, but nothing under canvas got wet and the morning dawned over-clouded and the day was dull though fine. After Inspection, Ilag break and prayers, the Scouts set off to explore a valley and climb the hills on the other side with the hope of seeing the coast at Marakoka. the site of the Otorohanga Troop’s annual camp last holidays. Much nne bush was seen up the valley and the tree ferns stood out on .the hillsides in splendid grandeur, set off by the roaring cataracts of the mountain streams After lunch- the party 1 started on the climb over the hill, but were disappointed on reaching the top to Hnd that the haze prevented a good view. Someone cheerrully piped up with the old song: * The man went over the mountain To see what he could see, But all that he could see, Was the other side of the mountain, etc. And so it was with us. However, some good rock formations were seen on the trip. Immediately on returning to camp we began to pack up, and after a late tea lert again ror Otorohanga. The St. Peter’s Scouts again slept in the otorohanga Scout Hall and lert Tor Hamilton by train during the day. The party or Scouts comprised six Otorohanga Scouts, 11 St. Peter’s Scouts, their Scoutmasters and assistant-Scout-masters F. Hllder (Otorohanga) and W. j. Steele (St. Peter’s). The boys were ail very, lit and In spite of big mileages and long hours enjoyed the experience, very much. The St. Peter s Scouts stood up to the test excellently, Tor they are town boys and not nearly so experienced as the country brothers. The party was well equipped and no Injuries or Illness was experienced.