TE KORERO

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 227, 25 September 1929, Page 20

TE KORERO

By "MICHAEL."

The Ngapuhis Abroad. Being' a rough log of the doings of the New Zealand representatives en route to. the world Jamboree. This series, of which the following is the fifth to hand, has been specially arranged for by the "Auckland Star" and will be continued at intervals (on receipt) until the return of. our boys. Commissioner F. W. Sandford, H.S.W., is the scribe.. —MICHAEL. August S. —The- troop was taken today for a trip to Ashton and surrounding district. It proved to' be quite an instructive outing. Did not return till about 8.30 p.m. August 9.—Again out as guests of | the New Brighton folk; partly a river trip. A most enjoyable day, getting home at 0.30 p.m. August 10.—An off day. A Gill well Troop reunion, about 900 present. We were addressed by Baden-rowell, who told us that H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught had strongly urged him to keep ■his name in the new title. So that probably he would be Lord BadenPowell of—a pause, during which he looked straight at us for a moment, and then, with one voice, "Gillwell" rang out from us. Another pause as he leaned an his stick with both hands, and then he said: "Well, I suppose that will be it." So it now is. August 11.—Wet day. Troop held a Scouts' Own in their own marquee. Padres Morton, Rich and Hyde read the prayers and lesson. The address was given by Commissioner Cooksey and the Cheshire commissioner, our neighbour in. the camp. In the afternoon a picked number of Scouts from each group were taken to Liverpool Cathedral, where a service was held. The singing of the Scouts and choir in alternate vi rses was a feature in a splendid servici, second only to the Westminster Abbey service. August 12.—The last day of the Jamboree broke dull, with light showers. Final visits to other camps, leave takings, swapping souvenirs, buying from "the market, filled the morning. At 2.30 the final parade and march past before the Chief and Mr. Hayes, M.P. (now Lord of the Household of the King), then a cartwheel formation, the hub being a stand' occupied by the Chie.f and Mr. Hayes, the spokes made by the Scouts all mixed up together, so tiiat we had ten different countries in our troop and ten of ours among others. Then the Chief buried the hatchet of war and presented each country with a golden arrow of peace. Theli the Scouts broke loose and for ten minutes there was nothing but cheering and a sea of hats on staves. Eventually we heard the pipers playing "Aultl Lang Syne," and then surely there has never been such a singing of the old song as when .10,000 boys and 40,000 people took it up and sang it over and over again. At last a trumpet call a<id silence. Then a band struck up "God Save the King." Again the wonderful volume of sound testified to the feelings of those loyal hearts present. As the strains finished we heard the Chief call for three cheers for His Majesty. Then ensued a scene which will not soon be forgotten, as the hats and staves again were held aloft, vibrating to the trembling air, as with a roar it was cut by the thousands of voices. So ended the great gathering of the world's representatives of boy and man. I August 13. —To-day pack up, struck tents, and 15,000 were conveyed by rail, nearly 5000 by steamer, and over 5000 by omnibuses, etc., to .their various destinations. Fifteen of our men have gone to Gjllwell for training and the rest to friends for twelve days, after which we go to stay at Liverpool for a day or two, and then a tour of England. ■. Further advice, under the date of the 16th, says:—"Mr. Jack;Hayes, Labour M.P:, speaking for the Government, at a dinner, given by them to heads of contingents, said,: 'As I stqod with your Ciiie.f at the saluting base I confess that I saw the world's young manhood cheering iwith their souls in beautiful harmony, honouring the greatest ambassador for peace. The Government will do nothing :to hinder the movement.'" Jamboree. —Rain every night, and parts of some days. Cold winds. Slippery mud, winter clothes, dry tents, plenty of food, thrills galore, as the daintily dressed maidens slithered about in mud to their knees and occasionally slid to a prone position in the "porridge." Happy Scouts of all nations, gesticulating'with sign language. Marches past, games, dances, shows, pageants of nations, cheering, and now and then silence, as our Chief coin*>s into view and says something to us. How his clear,'strong voice pierces the air, every word distinct, ringing like a bell. Cheers, and then the game goes on, the arena circled by crowds of folk from everywhere; no day less than 18,000 strong, one. day 68,000. .. . * * «• * Central Rover Crew. Described by all as the best meeting yet held, the' Auckland Central District Rover Crew met in their den last Monday. Working on the patrol system, the various crews, under their respective mates, did good work for the first hour, when a sing-song was held. Thi3 was followed by a most interesting instructive pow-wow by the D.R.L., who took as his subject "The uses and Abuses of Tobacco." The D.R.L. then sketched the main features of the hygiene course as required for the Rover test. #• * * Scouts with the Glee Singers. A party of six Scouts who are in the Westminster Glee Singers completed their tenderfoot tests whilst in Auckland The boys were examined in tlien knots by the acting district secretary. Scout Doug. Bartrip was the instructor to hie pals, for he had spent some tune in the Cubs and was able to' pass on his knowledge. The names of the boys who are now enrolled by the local headquarters are H. Fearn, V. Petley, -• ■Walls, D. Bartrip, A. Goodered and Jv. 'Clarke; The hoys are away from home on a 19 months' tour and' no doubt Scouting is a great boon to them to fill lin spare time. ' ~

Private advicc received , by "Michael" advises that the Chief expects to arrive in New Zealand in February, 1931. » • • • Rover Keg Coulman, who has been with us just long enough to make us want him to stay, has accepted a position aboard the Hororata, and sailed for the Old Country on "Friday last. We wish him the best and smoothest of trails, and hope that it will not be long before we once again welcome him' to New Zealand. *■# ' * * The Boxing. Commissioner Holdsworth's circular under the date of September 19 serves as a reminder that there are only five more days left before entries close for the forthcoming boxing tourney. The contest will be held in tile Society of Arts Hall, Kitchener Street, on Thursday and Friday, .October • 10 and .11, at 7 p.m. In. his circular to Scouters Mr. Holdsworth says: "The A squadron of the Legion of Frontiersmen have very kindly agreed. to conduct' this contest among the Boy .Scouts of the Auckland Central District. Tliey have taken up this affair with the greatest enthusiasm, and have gone to considerable expense and trouble in order to make it a great success. In the first place they have presented a very, handsome troop challenge shield, with a cup to become the property of the individual Scout winning the shield for his troop. They have also presented 15 medals, one for each I individual pinner in the various classes. There are also three sets of boxing gloves that may be won." "We have made a success of our swimming contest; let us make this even a greater success. We can do it if we work together, all willing to play the game in true Scout fashion. The boys may not all be good boxers. That is not necessary. It is the doing the thing that is worth while, no natter whether we win or not." As yet only five troops have forwarded their entries, but it is understood that there are many more who intend sending in nominations before the 30th. * * # * St. George's Concert. The St. George's Boy Scouts held their annual concert on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. It proved very successful from every point of view. The opening item on the programme was a comedj sketch called "The Milliner's Shop." This created great amusement aud the audience was given the impression that the boys made good girls. Another feature of the programme was a number of solos given by six boys. The Scouts also gave a very amusing prehistoric sketch, in which the boys appeared in the ancient British costume of Woad with a bear skin. Other items on the programme were "Mrs. Jarley's Waxworks" and some very amusing recitations by Mr. F. Newmarch. Altogether the funds will benefit to the extent of over £10. * # * * Jainboree Speech. The following from an English journal gives B.P.'s speech delivered at the opening of the Jamboree: — The Chief Scout after a great storm of cheering addressing the Prince, said: "I want in the name of this vast assembly of scouts to thank you and to ask you to thank His Majesty for the splendid message he has sent us by you. It is a message which we hardly deserve because we have only been in service a few years. It is a splendid message, which will inspire us to do better in the years to come. We are deeply grateful to you, sir, for coming here to-day at great trouble to yourself, because we know you had a very bumpy journey in the aeroplane yesterday, and have lived with us in camp and we only wish it had been for a longer time. However, it is a great thing for us that you have spared a few hours to be with us on this happy occasion. We are grateful for tiie inspiring words you have spoken, and I especially commend to the scouts those words you spoke about sportsmanship because they are the underlying creed of good citizenship, comradeship and fair play which is going to distinguish our movement all over the world. For myself, sir, I feel entirely unworthy of the" great honour the King has conferred upon me (cheers), but at the same time I feel an honour has been conferred from every single member of the movement of which I happen to be the figure head. We cannot make every scout into a Barren Master, but His Majesty has done that great thing for me which I hope the scouts will realise is an honour to the whole movement. And, scouts, I would have you remember that this means you have won a goat name for the movement, not only in our country, but other countries as well, and you have got to live up to that reputation ard you have got to male; the Woll Cu.'.s coming on, also try to live up to that great name of the scout movement, so we shall not disgrace ourselves or shall not disappoint the King ,or other kings who have honoured us. (Cheers.)" Baden-Powell said the camp represented the biggest army in the world. They are not like, other armies. Most armies are brought together and in many countries obliged to serve, in others paid to serve, and in others to learn how to kill fellow-men in order to defend their country. "We are an army of voluntary fellows. Came together because we wanted to, joining in good qomrade?hip; ; and good discipline in order to become happy, healthy, helpful citizens for our own country and good friend's with each other throughout the world. (Cheers.) We are not an army for fighting, but an army for peace. (Loud cheers.) Make friends, keep up your correspondence so that as men you will have friends throughout the world and thus we shall have real happiness, peace and. goodwill among men, and that is the job you have got before you. Now I hope you will have, a jolly good time." Three lusty cheers were given for the King and the Prince. s