An Open Air Page For Big Girls and Boys

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 173, 12 October 1927, Page 6

An Open Air Page For Big Girls and Boys

HIGH COUNCIL “M7HAT are you making Black Wolf?” Tf “A war bonnet, Redfeather, Each feather represents a deed.” “Bring it forth into the light that I may scan it more closely. , .. . Ah, ’tis a good war bonnet, my worthy Chief. Success attend your hunting. . . . Little Buffalo, is that an arrow I see gleaming in the birch tree? Turn back the flap, for surely a glint of silver caught my eye.” “It is surely an arrow, Redfeather. The'Sioux has returned from the ehase. . . . Three maids wait without. One has moccasins like the driven snow, the second has lambent eyes that surely opened on the world one dewy eve, the third has a garland of golden wheat ears crowning her head.” - “Ah, these are new Braves awaiting the hand of their Chief. . . . White Moccasin, we greet you. . . . Dew of June, self-named, the Wigwam has long listened for your coming. . . . Harvest Moon, I appoint you keeper of our lately sown crops. . . . And who comes now on little shy feet, pausing every moment to listen? Ah, ’tis Laughing Fawn, child of the'forest. And yon, my good Chief? Are you not Mountain Bear Surely my sixth sense does not deceive me ?” “We greet you, Redfeather.” “This week the Children of the Wigwam have followed the trail in shining hosts. Many of them have brought me tales of k the chase, but others are still far distant in the realms of story. When the Wigwam clarion echoes again they will return to our ’ mist, scroll and script in hand. And again their efforts shad bo weighed in the Scales of Justice arid the heart of the Great Chief stir with the thoughts of the children. . . . Watching Warrior, what have you behind your back ?” “A tale of derring do, Redfeather, and the following of a far trail.” And you, good Eagle Feather ?” “A tale of salt sea winds and sails at sunrise. See, my brave plume is still moist with spray.” “And what do you bring, Great White Bear.” “A story of Wigwam friendships, Redfeather, a word for the ear of the Great Chief, and a message for one, Little Beaver.” : : “It is well. Greetings, my faitiiful ones.” REDFEATHER

GIRL GUIDES’ CORNER The Methodist Hall. Dominion Road, presented a gay scene last Friday evening, and the for: wing afternoon, on the occasion of the bazaar organised by the Kakamal Company. The walls Were festooned with purple streamers, and the stalls were gaily decorated with greenery and garlands of flowers. Miss Burgln, captain of the Cavell •Company, and several willing assist- ■ ants, lent their aid in running one of • the numerous side shows, while the cake stall and supper arrangements were in the hands of the Kakamai 'ladies’ committee. The stalls were run by the following patrols:— » Novelty Stall: Rose Patrol (Crooning Waters and Little New Leaf). Produce Stall: Cornflower Patrol • (Eyes of the Morning and Sickle * Moon). Sweet Stall: Thrush Patrol (Shining Paddle). Needlework Stall: Heather Patrol.Children’s Stall: Poppy Patrol. Silver Dove, Kakamai lieutenant, was in charge of the inquiry bureau, , and the Rangers dispensed soft drinks. Guessing competitions, games of ■kill, and Items by Guides and Brownies, all contributed to the success of the fair. The guessing competitions were won by Miss Myers, Mr. Cress well and Mr. Watts. Silver Moon, Lapping Water, and Paddle Carver, my scribes of the Awataha Company have set aside one evening each week for the purpose of sup- : plying the Wigwam with Northcote Guiding news. They teU me that the Northcote Brownies held their second . annual birthday party on Saturday, October 1, and that Beth Collier was . enrolled aa a pack leader. They are looking forward to the great rally of Auckland Guides in November, when Robin Hood and his merry men, Greeks, King Arthur, knights of old, and a dragon, will add ' a mediaeval air to the proceedings. Paddle Carver has just celebrated her sixteenth birthday, and held a jolly party for Scouts and Guides. Community singing and games were the order of the day. • • . Tlie first church parade of the Wali mauku Girl Guides was held at St. Martin's Anglican Church last Sunday. Rose Martin, of this troop, has been chosen as one fo the Auckland representatives for the Lady Alice Fergusson. trophy for Dorrtnlon Girl Guides. .... Silver Wing, a Christchurch Guide- • Brave, who is Brown Owl of the . Opawa Brownie Pack, writes thus:— “Up to date, my Brownie pack numbers 22. We had another enrolment last week, and oh! the fun. After games, we built a big bonfire, and mysterious saucepans were placed ' upon it. Then we had the pack howl, the enrolment ceremony, and the grand salute, the Brownies sitting In a ring when these were over. I can still hear » the shriek when the excited little folk ■ discovered that the saucepans contained potatoes cooked in their jac- : kets. and steaming saveloys, which I f handed round on a fork. The little . Maori girls were present—it was their first meeting—and how they loved it. k X have rarely seen such joy and such . enthusiasm. It repaid over and over • again what little preparations we had gone to. The St. Mark’s troop of Boy » Scouts invited the Opawa Guides to m their tenth birthday party last night. ■* There were others present, of course—the hall was more than comfortably ' filled. The Scouts opened proceedings with Indian war-whoops. I thought of Redfeather and the Chiefs , and Braves.” The Tawny Owl of the Opawa Brownies has this week followed the ; trail with Silver Wing. Her pen name Is Harvest Moon. Shimmering Pool, a New Brighton Guide-Brave,, writes that tier company , is holding a concert shortly, and that ; each patrol will be called upon to de- , liver a Guide song. The Guide Law wi ll also be acted. This company paraded at the Anglican church last Sunday, when a special Guide service was held. Another patrol will shortly be . formed, as new members are joining each meeting. Silver Ripple writes that on Sunday next the Guides of St. Francis Company are to have their colours dedi- ’ cr ted. This Guide-Brave has recently added the Homemaker’s Badge to her ;.lUU •—Redfeather. .

OF INTEREST TO SCOUTS A census of the Auckland scouting district, taken on September 30 of this year, shows the-following figures: Boy Scout Troops 43 Wolf Cub Packs 25 Scoutmasters and AssistantScoutmasters 82 Cubmasters and Assistants .. 33 Number of Scouts 1,095 Number of Cubs 468 Number of Rovers .. .. .. 25 ♦ J* . * The scoutmaster and four patrol leaders of St. Mary's Troop, set out for o:*akei on & week-end camping expedition on October 1, and, in spite of adverse weather conditions, spent a happy time under canvas. * * • On October 19, at Avondale, a Scout concert will be tendered by the progressive Avondale troop. Black Wolf, an Avondale King’s Scout, has now 14 badges, and his second all round cords. .'With four more badges he will be the possessor of the gold cords. * * • The little troop of Western Springs Scouts is doing excellent work at present and, in the absence of a scoutmaster, is being carried on by the patrol loaders under the supervision of the committee. Last Sunday these Scouts attended a memorial service for the late Rev. E. XL Taylor, who founded • the ’troop about two years ago and was keenly interested in the welfare of the boys. * * * The annual meeting of the Herne Bay Troop took place in the Scouts’ Hall, Herne Bay, on Tuesday, October 4. the District Scoutmaster, Mr. E. B. I:. Boswell, being in attendance.

The meeting was combined with a •concert and the programme was mainly contributed by Scouts and Guides, two companies of the latter being present. - - The All Saints’ Troop of Scouts was fdso present by invitation. During the evening Mr. Boswell de- ; Ilvered a brief address on the trtfe meaning of scouting. * * *. A fine programme was tendered by the Royal Auckland Choir at: the Scout benefit concert in the Town Hall on (he evening of Monday, October 10, and 4k good attendance resulted. The choir was ably assisted by the gold medallists of the recent competitions, items being given by Miss Edna Peace (gold medallist), Miss: Teas' Oart-Lloyd, Miss Sybill Phillips (gold medallist), Miss Eva Wrilgley, Miss ]3>orothy Richardson, Mr. David Campbell, Mr. John McDougall (member). 3Vlr. A. G. Fogerty, Mr. J. B. Finlaynon (member), Mr. David Lunny and Mr. H. S. Reynolds (member). The Scout funds will benefit considerably by the performance.

Mr. Peek, scoutmaster of St. Barnabas, forwards the following news:— “On Friday evening the St. Barna- »>«*»« T3roop made merry with a pound

& & 3K as Sfe 3K * SONGS OF THE SIOUX Now the rain has ceased its falling, summer smiles from cloud-flecked skies; there is singing in the forest, laughter where the prairie lies . . . Change is all about the Sioux as the spent year moves apace; he can see the earth’s new mantle as he moves from i>l ace to place-. . . Voices, blending with the zephyr, stirred at dawn his leafy bower where the Sioux cfo ief was resting in the day’s first roseate hour. “Sing, ; -0 -sing .again, good Sioux; let thy spngfe be tjpile and loud” —Borne to him upon the zephyr, came the voice of Flying Cloud .. . . Fitful gusts bestirred the morning, tokens of the waxing day; came a voice from mountain pathways where the warrior holds his sway. “Sing, O Chief,” cried Watching'Warrior; “Let thy voice again foe . heard; to the Children of the Wigwam thou art still a singing bird . . .” Ch:n: this be?. Do you remember how the' silent Sioux came?—how Redfeather called at even: “Chief of darkness—speak 'thy ’ name/*- Ah, ’tis joy to think Ht 'over; many moons have sped since then; now the Sioux loves to notch them, each one on his arrowpen! We*have Wandered through the canyons,' singing to the ? paddle blow, sauntered through the k dim; sweet forest, climbed. the ridge at twilight glow; we- have crossed the flowerstrewn prairie, lingered on the sunbathed hill, feathered arrows to tlie laughter of the swiftly-running rill .. . . All, alas, has not been laughter, shadows sometimes there have been; g;rey within the clouds of morning, russet in-.the mantle green ... And the Sioux„.h.an.cl has trembled as he took his careful aim; he must laugh at wind and' ; weather-^-fear to him must be a nam%. Stoic through the drift of ages, he can emulate his race, follow close his fleeing quarry, rival youth upon the .chase ... In. the dawn he shot an arrow high into the summer air,- on its haft a written greeting every Chief and Brave will share. ; To the tepee of our Red Star, with her token gleaming red, from the bow of lasting friendship swiftly was the arrow sped. “Greetings, fair one,” read the message, “light must be where dusk hath lain; joy comes to the waiting Wigwam when the red star burns again . . . Nov/ the Sioux thinks and marvels at the bond which binds us all, marvels how the “far-flung children hearken for the Wigwam call, circling those who chance to wander, calling to the ones who stray . . . Friendship-—it can light the places where the transient shadows play ... It is well. The morning zephyr speaks the wafted message and the Sioux takes: the greeting, standing back his love anew. Paddle splash and songs of summer follow him by night and day; every hour they seem, to follow . . . “Tarry ye,” they seem to say. “Age hath no place in our vision, youth is measured not by years, joy may find the heights at sunset —eyes were never made for tears.” So the Sioux heart is gladdened as the summer, drawing; near, speaks of hope and skies of morning a.t the ageing of the-year. —SITTING BULL.

:<|f % -V- & St SF' night. A varied programme of games was -keenly contested, the inter-patrol sports cup for the patrol gaining thei most points on the evening being won by the Kiwis. Flitrol' Leader J. Thode and Scouts A. Log and W. Heath were presented with their missioner’s badges. "Work is progressing steadily on the troop wigwam, and it should be ready for the council pow-wow within a fortnight. We have been unfortunate in losing one -of our boys, Scout J. Armstrong, having been transferred to Mount Albert. Tlie Northcote troop of Scouts and the Awataha company of Guides intend -holding a combined picnic on Labour Day. '-Redfeather,