BOY SCOUTS ON “TREK.”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 26, 29 January 1913, Page 5

BOY SCOUTS ON “TREK.”

(Contributed.) The party of Boy Scouts who recently returned from their “trek” into the back-blocks, have accomplished the object for which they set out in an eminently satisfactory manner. Realising that the Scout must learn to deal with every contingency, they set out from Stratford expecting to rough it, and to have to face al! kinds of difficulties. They found i-il they expected, and a good deal more. The main idea was to take me tram to Whangamomona, and then travel in a northerly direction for some miles, after which it was their intern .on to ascertain whether it would be possible to reach the Mokau River without walking too groat a distance. Whanga was reached at about 1 a.m. 'n the rain, and tlio night was spent in a shed, the party turning in on a number of tents spread over the floor. Next morning an attempt was made to, obtain a pack-horse, but none could be obtained; however, through the kindness of Messrs. Court and Cottier, the baggage was conveyed to the first real camping ground at Hurimoana, where the tent was pitched and floored with fern. A camp kitchen was made, and tea duly prepared. After tea, the Scouts visited the tunnel works, through an adjoining saddle, afterwards climbing the same, and viewing from a distance the furthest section of the Stratford-Ongarue railway. The following day being showery, it was decided not to move on; hut on the Friday, after a council of war, it was decided, as no transport was available, that the best method was to adopt the t “depot” system, and accordingly a party of eight went forward with a good supply of privisions and erected a substantial and thoroughly waterproof hut on the top of the saddle, several miles further on. On the way hack to camp the Scouts were stopped and entertained at tea by Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy, whose kindness to the Scouts on several occasions was greatly appreciated. On reaching camp the party was ready for a further meal, one of the best-cooked meals of the whole trek, which had been prepared by Scouts Robson and Grant. The next day there was still no means of transport, so all kits had to be carried somehow, and the experiences of this part of the trip) afforded one of the most useful lessons learned at any time. It was found that by using their Scout staves, and bracing them with crosspieces and diagonals, so that a rigid stretcher was formed, comparatively heavy loads could be carried with a minimum of effort. The top of the saddle where the hut had been erected having been reached, the majority of the party set to work to make their new home as comfortable as possible, while the Scoutmaster and SergeantMajor went on a foraging expedition down the saddle with a view to obtaining fresh meat. After going two miles a settler was found who undertook to kill a sheep forthwith, and supply the Scouts next morning. Next day, accordingly, a hungry party of ten eagerly advanced in the direction of dinner, the principal part consisting' of mutton chops cooked at a fire made in a hole in a bank. Being Sunday, a short religious service was next held, the influence of this making itself felt throughout the day. Ainid the strange surroundings and somewhat severe conditions under which the boys were living, this link with the home life appeared to appeal strongly to several. In the evening Mr and Mrs Kennedy again entertained the parry, and also made them a useful present of vegetables, which were particularly welcome, as the stock of bread-'at the hut had come to an end.

On Mdpday kits were packed, and carried down the saddle as far as the Mold Road, when a settler met the Scouts, and lent them a pack-horse. The majority had never seen anything of “packing” before, so here had one more new experience. The middle of the Tangorakau Gorge was reached at about 3 p.m., and another hut was built, which called forth expres. ions of genuine admiration from some of the old camping hands who were working there, as well as from a large holiday party who were in camp near the spot,, Two or three days were spent here, with plenty of bathing, and opportunities for excursions up the Gorge. One morning was spent in cleaning up Morgan’s grave' weeds being removed, undergrowth cut back, and t/he fencing repaired with posts and rails cut in the bush, and firmly bound together with wire, care being taken not to remove any part of the original fence. The Gorge was left on Thursday, and a forced march brought the Scouts to Whanga. in time to reach Stratford on Saturday morning. Although the trip was made under very trying circumstances, it is noteworthy that no Scout dropped behind; there were no accidents whatever, and the only affliction the trek gave rise to was an insatiable appetite on the return home, this being common to every member of the party. The trek is bound to prove itself of inestimable value to all who went, owing to practical experience gained by them, and it has left marks in the memory of every Scout which years will not efface. Incidentally, every boy who went on trek has qualified for three useful Scout badges, viz., Cook’s, Pioneer’s and Starman’s Whenever asked to give the points of the compass by the stars at night, no Scout ever failed, but working by one constellation or another even on somewhat cloudy nights was able to give direction readily and quickly. The boys are unanimous in their appreciation of the kindness they met with everywhere, kindness which did so very much to contribute to the pleasure of the trek. It is to be noted that owing to the donations of several ladies and gentlemen in Stratford, three of the bjpys were able to go, who must otherwise have stayed bo-