HOW'S THIS FOR SCOUTING?

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 206, 16 September 1937, Page 12

HOW'S THIS FOR SCOUTING?

On Wednesday last I was booked to go to Diwmevirke and open their new hall. Xnrly that morning 1 woke up and heard the rain pouring down. After breakfast it .'was still falling steadily. I got anxious. So I got out the car and went down to the creek near my home, over which the road goes. Here I found the bridge under water and the approacb gone. So off I went and sent a wire to Dannevirke to say that 1 was marooned, and very sad was I to do it. Then off I went round my eheep. At about two o'clock it brightened up a bit, so I again went down to see if the creek had dropped. It had and 1 thought I could repair the approach and perhaps get to Dannevirke in time to open their hall. So off I went and got into uniform and gum boots, and equipped with a shovel, was about to try my luek, wlien the telephone rang and a messago came that Scoutur Parker, known as "YVally" to his friends, was on his way to ineet me at the other side of the creek. Those who know VVally will not be Burprised as he is full of enthusiasm and determination. So off I went and managed to get my car over the creek and started off to meet Wally. We met and had an argument. He wanted me to leave my car and go with hiin, instead .of going separately, as we both wanted to taik scouting. I transferred to his car and this meant that he had to bring- me back, which he cheerfully offered to do. Our lights went out a few iniles from Dannevirke, but a Scottish friend saw as safely to the first garage where we got the lights fixed. We were in time at the- little hall standing on a delightful spot, near the motor camp swimming bath and opposito the domain, on a site givfen by the Dannevirke Council. Tho hall is a splendid little place and louks very Scouby with a cheery fireplace and Scout flags and picbures. The Mayor, leading eitizens, and parents, eubs and Scouts filled tho «room. "Akela Leader" Miss Wilson and Commissioner Stubbs, froni Palmerston, wero there. 1 presenbed three Thanks Badges to gontlemeu who had played a leading parb ab helping to build the hall. When speeches were over we had a sing song. During the singing I said, "Now we will • sing this chorus like the Don CoBsacks. Did any of you hear them ?'' One littlo Cub said, "Yea, I did." "Didn't you think they sang splendidly ?" I asked. "No, I didn't thank much of them," replied the Cub, "but I did like tho man who jumped about with his mouth full of knives 1" Well, I expect I should have thougbt the same at his age. So the hut is opened and it was only a few weeks ago that a little deputation came up to see me and ask about the Dannevirke hut, and 1 little thought that they would do the job so quickly. It is an example of what enthusiasm and energy can do. And then Wally, who I am sure was a very happy man, for it was his idea and determination that pushed things through, took nie home wliere we arrived at 2 a.m. Early next morning he started home, but it took us nbout two hours getting his car up luy drivo on accounb of the rain inaking it very sol't. So, well done, "Wally" and Dannevirke. Wliero there's a will tbere's a vvay. L hope Hastings will soou get tbeir lionte going.— Clieerio, "LITTLE JOllN."