BOY SCOUTS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1925, Page 4

BOY SCOUTS

(Contributed), The annual camp of the Ist. Hokitika Troop at Cunningham’s Creek, Upper Koiterangi terminated on Mednesday, the belated rearguard arriving in town about 9 p.m. The AVolf Cubs were camped for five days in a comfortable house made available by the great kindness of Air H. Winter ; while the Scouts pitched their tents for ten days on the opposite t.ank of the stream, some two hundred yards distant. The two camps under the charge of A.S.Af. B. Parham were kept as distinct- as possible, both in the matter of routine and in boundaries; but the cooking for the whole party was done by the Scouts in their open-air camp kitchen. The difficulty of transport was obviated by the kindness of the Rev J. Perkins (Chairman of Troop Committte) and of Air F. Andrews, who undertook to motor the boys out to their distant camping grounds. In accordance with the expressed desire of Dominion Headquarters that some member of the Committee should, if possible, accompany the troop, Air Perkins remained in camp during the first week. Plentiful supplies of milk and vegetables and other eatables were sent into eatitp daily by the residents of Koiterangi, whose kindly hospitality will long be retained by tlie boys as their most pleasant memory of the camp. On Friday Air A. Adams of Greymouth, Commissioner for the district of Westland, paid an official visit to the camp, and expressed himself as well pleased with the site chosen, and with the work being done. The two wet days encountered did not interrupt seriously the camp routine* b(*yumi interfering with bridgebuilding activities. Three definite journeys were undertaken —the first Lo the Hokitika Gorge via the very beautiful Doughboy Track; secondly, an exploring expedition up the loaroha liver: and finally a patrol hike (for Ist. Class Badge tost) to the Gorge, via the Alt. Camolback road and the Hokitika liver. The latter included a- visit to the lime-kiln), the tracking down of a notorious criminal and dynamiter), and the constant observation of animals and birds, the collection of plaster casts of animal loot-prints and carbon impressions of leaves. Besides these long journevs. two shorter evening ones (each of 12 miles) were undertaken voluntarily by the boys, on Thlirsdav night to a service at St. Colnmha’s Church, and on Monday night to spend an evening in merriment and good ehcer at the home of Mr and Airs A. Cropper, a much appreciated change from camp fare and evening lectures. During the period one YVoli Cub (DuJloy Perkins) gained his Ist. star, and others passed various tests lor theii second star-—several Scouts passed their Ist. class cooking, axemanship amt pioneering tests; whilst amongst the routine work wore included cniisfruetioii and lliaiching f of bivouac shelters, (using raupo, llax and tussock), hrfdgehuilding, tracking, physical exercises, signalling, camp hygiene and camp expedients. cooking and judging distances. heights etc. and direction (Hiding (!>.v day and night). The locality proved an ideal one for scouting, games and practices, apart from its many attractions from a scenic point of view. Here were available—at easy distances—mountains to climb, rivers and gorges to explore, forests to wander through full of birds and interesting tracks of wild animals, and here the boys could enjoy themselves in the full freedom of the open country, without the restraining influence of constant grown-up criticism. That they enjoyed it is indicated by the fact that during the three last days a conspiracy was unearthed, just in time, to prevent the Scoutmaster being kidnapped, and as a prisoner forced to prolong the camp.