ROTORUA GIRL GUIDES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 89, 5 December 1931, Page 7

ROTORUA GIRL GUIDES

"Trefoil") .

(By

Dear Guides, — So you had a visit from Mary, a lone guide. I am sure ■ she was interested to attend her first company meeting. The swimming people are excited at the prospect of soon having a chance of winning their swimmers' badge, I hear. Good for White Roses; I hear the Red Ribbon is to decorate their corner for a week. Try.and make it two weeks, White Roses. We must congratulate , the following hard-working ones on receiving badges: — Paddy, Grace, Joyce, Ynys, Joan and Valmai, cooks; Moana, embroidress; Joan, laundress. And now ycur further introduction to the Peacock Patrol: — One sunny day, the Peacock Patrol, equipped with smiling faces and bulging haversacks could be seen trudging along the Clayton Road. They were on their way to the top of Ngongotaha. ' : The night before, at scout parade, a great whispering consultation had been held, as to where they would spend their day. Someone had suggested Kawaha, but everyone else thought that was too near home. Then Mere said, "wouldn't it be fun to get a pulling boat and go to Mokoia?" But Pat had firmly refused to have anything to do with a lake trip. "Fm in charge of you kids," she said. ■ "You know how rough the lake can be sometimes; why, we might get over there, and the not he able to come back till the next mprping." "But, Pat, what fun that would he," they pleaded. "Yes, for us, but not for our mothers. No, kids, it won't do." So they had decided on Ngongotaha. They wanted to go up by way of the Jubilee Track, but as no one was sure that it was still dear, Pat thought they had better use the road. Water had to be carried up from the foot, so good-natured Molly agreed to carry this. Such a hot day it was, that they made the climb a leisurely one, with many rests; and poor Molly burdened with the billy fbf water, sfeemed to be forever wiping a heated brow. The top at last, and _all eyes turned to the main p'oint of interest, White Island, which to-day could he dearly seen sending up great columns of steam. Cooking their meal was a serious business. There was damper to be made, sausages to grill and eggs to cook in the ashes. But at last it was all done. The damper and sausages were a great success, but, alas! when the ashes were raked' away nothing could be seen of 'the eggs but pieces of shell scattered in all directions. Someone had forgotten to

prick the ends to prevent them bursting! Then a terrible thing happened. Daisy upset the billy of water and everyone was so thirsty. And of course no more water to be had until they had been some time on their return journey. "Never mind," said Rangi, "this is where we smile and sing." I wish Pat would let me guide you down through the Jubilee Track. I know it quite well from the top; and it is ever so much more fun going down through the bush." "Right O, then, Rangi," said Pat. Let us go that way then." "Gold old Pat," replied Rangi. "See, here is the beginning of the track. Now follow me." They hadn't gone far when the track, after narrowing for a few hundred yards, seemed to disappear altogether. "Strange," said Rangi. "I don't seem to remember which way we ought toc'go." "Well, kids, we'd better tftrn back," said Pat. "No, no; I'll find the track in a minute," came from Rangi. "Why, here | it is." And it looked like the track, too. But they hadn't gone far on it when again they had to pause. "Heavens; We're lost in the bush," said Letty. "We'll be walking round in circles if we're not careful." "How can we be lost on a moun- | tain ? " Mere said. "All we have to I do. is keep. on walking down hifi till we reach the bottom and there we'll find the road. Let's go," and ofl: she started. It was a great old scramble in places and Pat began to think it was i no light responsibility to be in charge of seven girls in such a situation. Then came a thrilling part of the adventure when they negotiated a sfeep bank by sliding down the trunk of a fallen tree. Down and down they went with no idea where they were till thew heard the whisper of a running stream. Pat was delighted. "Now we are right, kids. This must he the stream that flows aci'oss the Clayton Road and runs away down to join the Utuhina. If we follow it down, we will soon be out of the bush." But first of all the whole patrol must slake its thirst with the waters of the little streamlet. They voted it nicer than all the ice cream sodas to be procured in town. Before long, the little stream had led them gaily down and out on to the road. Pat was sure she could hear the stream laughing at them. Those gui'gles could mean nothing else. But she didn't mind. The great thing was that they were safely out before dark. It was a chattering Peacock Patrol that finally wended its way home. They wei'e %ure the Huias and the other patrols would be envious on learning of their day's adventures.