THE WIGWAM

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 326, 11 April 1928, Page 14

THE WIGWAM

An Open Air Page For Big Girls and Boys

THE GIFT OF SONG

“I/EARS ago,” said the grey owl, who had mistaken the dawnI ing for the twilight and was trying to cloak her error by hiding under a thick canopy of leaves, “there was no music in the world.” “That is strange,” twittered a bluebird, swaying airily on a nearby twig.” “Passing strange,” answered the owl, “but no one had learned to capture and thread together the thousand and one sweet sounds that go to make the blessing of song. The sounds remained individual for no one had ever conceived the idea of blending them. Understand?” “Perfectly,” remarked the bluebird, “but now songs issue from the mouths of men and they have also strange instruments that play for them. “And indeed, that is all due to the lonely hunter whose voice had but a single note. He was the pioneer who broke away from the Iraditions of his kin. It happened thus: One day he was sitting in the sun by the river when he noticed that the sound of his bow-string differed from that of his own voice and that the low murmur of the river could not be likened to either. This set him wondering. Then to his ears came the echo of wind in the forest and the call of a bird seeking a lost mate, while from the far, far distance sounded the hushed complaint of a troubled sea. ‘The world is full of sounds,’ said the hunter, ‘but each differs from its fellow.’ Then acting on impulse, he tried to imitate the sound made by his bow-string and, to his amazement, found his voice equal to the test. Growing bolder he tried the note of the bird and followed it by the long-drawn sound of the wind passing through the forest. Day after day he practised his new game, always adding new sounds to his store, he sought his brother men that the joyous secret might not be lost to the world. They listened and wondered, then they, too, attempted the strange pastime. To-day the world is full of music and it is really all due to the lonely hunter. . . . ’Now, be off. Owls are only sweet-tempered after nightfall.” “But they sometimes share their secrets quite early in the day,” answered the bluebird, flitting to a higher twig. EEDFEATHFiR.

GIRL GUIDES’ CORNER Last Wednesday evening a programme was broadcast from IYA by Auckland Guides. Miss M. Burgin, captain of Cavell Company, who recently returned from the Girl Scout Conference in Honolulu, contributed a talk through the microphone. The concert was greatly appreciated by Guides of other districts Avho had an opportunity of listening-in. * * * Eyes of the Morning forwards the following Kakamai news: “On Saturday, March 31, the Guides. Rangers and Brownies of the Kakamai Company celebrated their fourth anniversary. In the afternoon the Brownies were entertained by the Rangers, playing various exciting games. At 5.30 the Guides arrived, and a united tea of Brownies, Rangers and Guides was held. The tables were artistically arranged and decorated by ladies of the committee in the company colours. “The cutting of the cake was quite an event, as this is the last birthday party at which our captain will be present. “During the tea various toasts were drunk, and service stars were awarded to Guides and Rangers. This was followed by an evening of entertaining games and competitions, and prizes were given out by a member of the committee. “Deep Creek was chosen as the site for the Rangers* Easter camp.” Silver Ripple, scribe of St. Mary’s Company, writes: “Guide work recommenced on February 17. We have a full company, consisting of five patrols, including three Guides who have transferred from other companies. On the first Sunday of each month we have church parade at St. Mary’s. “The girls are all working steadily for first and second-class badges, and some of them are hoping to add the cook's badge to the list. The examination will take place on April 14. “Recently a district evening was held at our hall, when all the companies in the Parnell district assembled with our commissioner, Madame Baird. Each company was invited to contribute an item to the programme, and, after supper, we held a camp fire. This ws followed by a talk by the commissioner and the singing of many camp songs. "We expect to commence basketball shortly after Easter, and as we have a large hall to practise in, are looking forward to our first game.” Little Pool, our scribe in the Taliutimai Company, sends the following news: “On Friday, March 30, we held a Dutch auction sale, which was very entertaining. Captain Bruce made a splendid auctioneer, being very humorous over the disposal of the various articles. The bidding was very keen, most of the articles sold being in demand. A pendant, declared by the auctioneer to be worth nine guineas, fetched the handsome sum of threepence. Various articles were sold, ranging from about one penny to two shillings. Nevertheless, the result of the evening was one guinea to add to our savings for camp, which we all joyfully look forward to. “The remaining part of the evening was spent in marching, drilling and singing camp-fire songs, until it was lime to depart, which came only too soon. Two girls were enrolled, while two Guides received service stars.” Paddle Carver, scribe of the Awataha Company, reports: “We are now* giving special attention to gymnastics and are fortunate in having some good athletes in our company. “At a recent meeting our lieutenant read to us from the ‘Girl Guide Book of Flower Legends,’ as she wished us to know the stories relating to the emblems of our patrols. "We also spent part of the evening revising Morse.”

WITH THE BOY SCOUTS Beaver Hunter, scribe of St. David’s troop, sends the following report: “We are glad to say that Scoutmaster Tribble is now out of hospital, though, unfortunately, he is still too weak to attend parade. “The month has been an exceptionally interesting one for the troop. A games evening with the Shackleton troop resulted in a draw with three games on each side. The quarterly church parade was fairly well attended, and 14 Scouts spent a weekend under canvas at Henderson. They had free use of an orchard, with plenty of swimming, tracking and other scouting pastimes, and a happy time was spent. Rover Johnston was in charge. “At a recent parade Assistant Scoutmaster Butterworth, an old associate of the troop, attended, and he has promised his assistance until our our Scoutmaster returns. “That it is possible to carry on alone has been ably demonstrated lately by the continuance of the boys to gain badges. One King’s Scout and several proficiency badges have been passed.” Pilot forwards the following account of the Calliope Sea-Scouts’ Easter cruise:— “On Easter Monday the Calliope Sea Scouts returned from their Easter cruise to the Wade Heads. The two boats, under the charge of Scoutmaster R. Iverson and Assistant Scoutmasters R. Haselden, K. Hender and A. Tipping, left the dockyard on Thursday night. “The cutter left at 9.30, the gig being held up until 10.30 for Petty Officer Daverne, who was working late. After an all-night sailing, during which some of the ratings slept, the boats arrived at the Wade in the early morning, the cutter at 5 a.m. and the gig at 6.20. “On Good Friday all hands took things easy, some proceeding to Arkle’s Bay, while the remainder rested in camp. On Saturday the gig was hauled up and cleaned, while the cutter proceeded to take soundings and survey the mouth of the river. “During the evening the following officers and ratings from Calliope and Vindictive, who were camping nearby, attended a dance at Arkle’s Bay: District Sea Scoutmaster L. Thode (Vindictive), Scoutmaster R. Iverson (Calliope), First Mate L. Lees (Vindictive), Petty Officers R. Daverne and H. Mutch, Signalman W. Stevens, Able Seaman H. Wooster (Calliope) and P. Bigwood (Vindictive). “Mid-day Sunday saw the boats under way on the first stage of their journey homeward. The gig proceeded direct to Murray’s Bay, later returning to Deep Creek, where the cutter had put in with the tents. “At 1 p.m. on Monday the two boats left the creek for the dock, the cutter arriving at 3 p.m. and the gig three-quarters of an hour later. The following were the boats and their crews: “Gig.—Scoutmaster R. Iverson, Petty Officers H. Mutch and R. Daverne, Yeoman of Signals J. Haselden, Signalman G. Stevens, Writer M. Cardon, Ordinary Seaman K. Farquhar. “Cutter. —First Mate R. Haselden, Second Mate K. Hender, Third Mate A. Tipping, Leading Seaman A. Newell. Leading Signalman S. Bell, Signalman D. Mortimer, Able Seamen H. Wooster, N. Kersland, L. Rice, H. Didsbury and D. George, Ordinary Seamen D. Skelton, R. Nottingham and D. Grant.” ' # PINES

Why is it pines against the evening sky Drive bitter anguish from my heart and leave Only the thoughts of love and quiet content ... I wonder why? Faint perfumes of the evening rise And wrap my mind about, and I I am content to watch their shaggy heads Against the tinted skies. —Dew of Dawn (Helen Williams).

A healthful hunger for a great idea Is the beauty and blessedness of life. The great man is he who does not lose his child’s heart.

POETRY COMPETITION Many fine entries came to hand from the Wigwam music makers for the last poetry competition, and the general standard of work was high. The prize goes to Harvest Moon for her dainty woodland poem, “Persephone,” this being closely followed by the entries of Little Swift Canoe and Twinklefoot. The results are as follow: First: Harvest Moon (Alma Chamberlain, Rata Street, Christchurch). Highly commended: Little Swift Canoe (Fitzie Morris, Epsom); Twinklefoot (Helen Shaw, Palmerston North); Dew of Dawn (Helen Williams, Ellerslie) ; Red Star (Jean Mclndoe, Hamilton); Little Lone Pine (Phyllis Agar, Marton) ; Sighing Wind (Phyllis Fitzgerald, New Plymouth) ; Eyes of the Morning (Ruby Blair, Auckland); Red Dawn (Neila McLeod, Auckland); Big Heart (Bruce Phillipstown, Mount Roskill) ; Lone Eagle (M. B. Grainger, Henderson); Singing Bird (Ruth Niblock, Auckland); Brave Hunter (J. H. Dobbyn, Grey Lynn); Waving Pampas (Sedwell Thwaites, Rotowaro).

ISLAND SCHOONERS Driven by South Sea breezes, down to the South Sea isles That lie where the sun shines brightest and the ocean dimples and smiles, And breaks into foaming laughter, caressing the golden sand, While the slender palm and sway by wandering breezes .fanned : Laden with South Sea treasure, leavir « the world behind — White-winged island schooners fleeing before the wind. Manned by a ragged brotherhood treading romance’s trails, Loving the lure of the salt sea-spray and the wind and the flying sails; Cargoes of shell and copra, and sandalwood, and pearls, That gleam and play like the pearly smiles of brown-faced island girls; Harbour beside some silvery shore where the waters ripple and croon, White-winged island schooners at rest on a blue lagoon.. Driven by South Sea breezes down to the South Sea isles That lie where the sun shines brightest and the whispering wind beguiles, Treading romance’s gleaming path over the azure foam, White-winged island wanderers destined ever to roam, Feeling ever the wanderthirst when the wild waves heave and toss, Sailing after Adventure under the Southern Cross. —Twinklefoot (Helen Shaw). TEA GARDENS A curious machine, a mixture of a tank, a harrow, and a motor-car, has been made by a firm of engineers in Lincoln for use in India’s tea gardens. The ever-growing demand for tea has made it necessary to introduce science into the cultivation of the land; the placid ways of the natives are no longer sufficient. Tea plants are rather like currant bushes in appearance, and are planted in close rows, but to keep up the grow’th of the bushes and to keep down the w r eeds the soil between the bushes is always cultivated. The quaint motor-machine glides between the rows of bushes op two narrow caterpillar tracks, and its pressure on the ground is so light that, despite its weight of nearly a ton, it makes hardly any impression even on soft, wet soil. A number of forks are worked into the soil as the machine travels along, and they weed the ground and prepare it- for cultivation. It is an almost uncanny tiller of the soil, the latest scientific device introduced into the old-w T orld tea gardens.

NOCTURNE The trees are hushed, the woods are dim and still, And no bird stirs among the green dark leaves; Silenco and peace creep softly o’er the hill; # The brook, her plaint renewed, but softly grieves. How sad yie silence falls upon the night; Tlow sad the tall trees, black against the sky; How sti’ll the air, save when, with sudden light, The stars are startled by a wild bird’s cry. Night steals up from the east, her sigh of peace Lulls all the earth to sleep. High in the west The shining crescent of the young spring moon Swings slowly, softly, dreamily, and soon The stars grow silent and the mur*murs cease, And leaves and rocks and trees are all at rest. —Little Swift Canoe (Fitzie Morris). BADGES Badges are not to be had for the asking; they have to be earned by real work; and the Chief Scout made it very clear when drawing up the Badge System that badges were not necessarily to be awarded for the amount of knowledge a Scout possesses, but for the amount of conscientious effort he has put into studying the subject. Here is a list of some of the badges Scouts may earn, and it is added to every year as new subjects of interest and importance come to light: Ambulance Metal-worker Airman Miner Basket-worker Missioner Bee-farmer Musician Bird-warden Naturalist Blacksmith Pathfinder Boatman Photographer Bugler Pilot Carpenter Pioneer Clerk Piper Cook Plumber Cyclist Printer Dairyman Prospector Electrician Rescuer Engineer Sea iislierman Entertainer Signaller Farmer Stalker Fireman Star-man Gardener Surveyor Handyman Swimmer Horseman Tailor Interpreter Telegraphist Laundryman Textile-worker Leather-worker Watchman Marksman Woodman Mason These badges are divided roughly into two classes —those which help a boy or a girl to learn something useful which may help their career in after life, and those we know as Public Service Badges, by possession of which a boy or girl can be of use to other people. Among these Public Service Badges are the Missioner’s, the Rescuer’s and the Ambulance Badge. One of the most important badges for every Scout and Guide to have is the Ambulance Badge, which signifies that they know how to render first aid to anyone who has met with an accident, and that they have actually practised it, so that they will not lose their heads in an emergency.