BOY SCOUTS!

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1926, Page 1

BOY SCOUTS!

(Contributed). the Hokitika scouts who attended the Jamboree at Dunedin returned safely by the express on Tuesday. All report an intensely interesting time both at Dunedin and on the journey. At Christchurch the party were the guests ul the Addington Troop and camped in the garden of their .scoutmaster irom who, as well as from the individual boys, they received innumerable kindnesses. Visits were enjoyed to the -Museum and Gardens, and

a very instructive one to the Sockburn Aerodrome while a tramp over tile Burt Hills was rewarded with a beautiful sunset glimpse of Lyttelton Harbour, and the wonderful view of the lighted city streets from the hill. On one afternoon each scout- was taken homo to tea by individual Addington scouts and these hitter also helped as guides to those who set out to explore Christchurch. The railway journey itself was a big adventure .to those, of the party who had never before crossed tile Alps, the section along the upper Waimukariri proving even more fascinating than t.h,e Otira. Tunnel. The special scout train from Christchurch to Dunedin on the Saturday was too crowded with internal interest to allow much attention being given to the scenery of southern Canterbury, but by tlie time that tlie billy approach to Dunedin allowed some line views of the Otago llai'oiir the first rush of curiosity about one’s neighbours had quieted down, and the sight of the Exhibition Buildings was the signal for a general rcgatlicring into patrols and preparations

to detrain. The fortnight at Dunedin has been so thoroughly dealt with in the press that little remains to lie noted. The Hokitika scouts failed to get placed in any of the atlilelie events, but their little display of light weight camping when given at iho Exhibition last Wednesday gained considerable applause, and was honoured with a special photograph in one of the illustrated weeklies, while in camp tho hoys took a full share in all activities. The Hokitika tent happened to be “next door” to the. hoys from South Africa, and these proved most excellent cobbers full of the real scout spirit. AVliilo in Dunedin very interesting visits were paid to woollen mills and paper mills, and the Exhibition itself was visited three or four times each week. The homeward journey commenced ■ 111 the scout train nji Sunday aboard which an epidemic of “swapping" auto-

graphs and fond farewells developed towards the end iuie an orgy of exchanging keepsake- in the form ol articles of uniform and equipment. However the local parly managed to reach Christchurch without parting with the more essential portions o! |heir clothing, and again camped at Addington where a line night made it possible to do without tents, and after a warm meal, lo get to bed ill good time. Tho Monday journey was made in company with the Nelson scouts until Arthur's Pa:- Station, where tluHokitika party left the train and enjoyed a very inerestiug tramp over the pass to Otii'M. Here the night was -pent in com I’orl.able quarters. and tlie boys after an easy morning found the four hours travelling to Hokitika a mere tifle after their other experiences aboard trains. From the scouting point of view the Jamboree should do untold good to the local boys both in helping to bring home to tlnon the size and standing of lb,, great brotherhood to which they belong, and in setting them a now standard in age and smartness. fn spile of the attempt of the Health Authorities to prove otherwise all the Hokitika scouts enjoyed excellent health, for the entire three weeks I hev were away from home, and the whole advent ure concluded without misfortune of any sort. To what extent it has been a real help to local scouting oulv the future can reveal but the need

of scoutmasters is still the chief block to further progress. A number of First Hokitika (All Saints) Troop have had a pleasant little camp during the latter part of this week on tho south bank of I.lie l iver and return home al the week-end. The Second Hokitika Molt Cubs have also had a brief taste of earn]) at South Spit Ibis week. The Second Troop ami Bad: wish il known that the regular time-table is now being resumed starting with this Sunday afternoon, and that they expect to have room for three or four more boys in the AYoll Cub Pack who must bo between eight and eleven years ~f age, and should apply at the Scout Booms next door to the swimming baths on Tuesdays between four and live o’clock. The Second Hokitika Troop Committee meet on February oth, and a week-end camp is also due lor the scouts that week.