THE WIGHAM

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 699, 26 June 1929, Page 8

THE WIGHAM

1 ——— ■ - t 4 > Here toe gather, here we meet in paw-wow friendly and discreet. To talk of earth, and sea, and sky, and watch the world of men go by, % ' FOOTPRINTS ALONG stretch of golden sand washed smooth by the tide, and a series of footprints that run its entire length. There is the broad imprint of a man’s boot running parallel with the lighter impression of a little high-lieeled shoe, and here a barefooted child has scampered, throwing sticks into the water to be retrieved by an excited dog. A little everyday story in the sand, but the characters have vanished. . . . What a world of conjecture surrounds the simple imprint of a human foot. Recently the Chief Scout left his footprint in a park in Hungary and, all unknown to him, a plastic cast of it was taken. Then the footprint was cast in bronze and fashioned as a bath and drinking-trough for passing birds. Decades of rain cannot level it. Tlie tides of time are awash on the shores of the world. [Where have you left vour footprint today? REDFEATHER.

THE SINGING TREE (SECOND PRIZE STORY) Spring had gone, leaving the trees fresh and young, clad in soft green leaves. No one came to the woods save the birds, and they were usually there. One bird was especially dear to the tall forest trees —the little singing bird, silvery grey, with a quaint, soft song like crooning winds. All the summer the birds stayed, filling the shadowy silence with tuneful whistlings and callings. Slowly summer ended and autumn came; the sunny days grew fewer, and the wind blew more keenly. The forest was a blazing mass of colour; every leaf was touched with some gay tint—red, golden, brown, russet. Then a fiercer wind came, blowing with an icy breath, blowing from the distant Pole. With each harsh gust a host of coloured leaves, like a flock of pretty butterflies, fluttered to the ground. Under the trees they lay, forming a rich carpet with more exquisite colouring than the most valuable Persian rug. Soon the trees were bare and all the birds save the singing bird had gone. Autumn changed to winter and the coloured carpet became a fleecy white rug. very beautiful, but very cold. And the little bird? Ah. when the first snow began to fall and the berries on the shrubs were frozen, the little singing one died, and the white, dazzling snow covered him gently. Spring came again, fresh and radi-

ant. with clouds of birds whistling and calling. But the little one of silvery grey had gone, and the forest trees missed the c-rooning song like, gentle winds. Years passed, and in the forest a jig young tree grew—a new tree not like

any other in the world. The leaves came in the spring just as other leaves did, and the spring days were quiet. Then evening came—a gentle dusk of green and gold. A breeze drifted through the trees, a little soft wind, and slowly the leaves on the new tree sang—a song of whispering leaves, a crooning song like gentle winds. Some trees thought it was the singing bird, but in the morning the soft, lilting music stole out again, and the other trees looked in wonder at the slender tree with its green leaves lisping treemusic to the silent forest. Then the trees remembered that the new tree stood where the white snow had buried the little bird, and they understood, as trees always do, that the heart of the feathered songster had become the heart of the tall, slim tree. All the summer the tree whispered songs to the shadowy forest, then autumn came and coloured its leaves. Like a flame it stood against the dark pines, quivering leaves crooning. Then the wind blew, and the leaves fluttered to earth, murmuring as they fell. So the tree grew, and always the wind wakened the leaves to song—little laughing tunes, softly gay. Still this tree lives, but it is rio longer alone. . . . All around it stand more trees, more singers in the wind, more lissom, stately poplars. —Flj’ing Cloud (Lesley du Faur). FOR WISE HEADS Missing consonants: Fill in the missing consonants lo complete the words described: 3.—. I . E .—An animal. 2.—. E . O .—A fruit. 3. —. A . . E .—A relative. 4. —. O . . U 1 . O—An insect. 5. —. E . O. —A bird. 6.—A . E . O . E—A flower. Answer to last week’s word square; Atom. Tome. Omen. Mend.

GIRL GUIDES’ CORNER A Girl Guide concert, in connection with Hospital Week, will take place in St, Hall tomorrow evening, commencing at 7.30. The programme is in the hands of Madame Baird, and a bright and varied entertainment is promised. Guides from the various Auckland companies will contribute items. Silver Ripple, of St. Mary’s Company, forwards the following accoujit of the Parnell and Remuera District Rally, which took place in St. Mary’s Hall last Friday: “All the companies assembled at 7.15 p.m. in the following order: St. Mary’s, St. Mark’s, St. Aiden’s, Wikitoria .and St. Francis. Madame Baird, our district commissioner; arrived early apd met Dr. Buckley Turkington, who reached the hall at half-past seven. Then Dr. Buckley Turkington inspected each company with the captain. After inspection each company gave items: , St. Mary’s, fancy marching and country dancing; St. Mark’s, signalling and first-aid; St. Aiden’s, pole-drill; and Wikitoria, Maori games and part-sing-ing which were much appreciated. “We then formed two big horseshoes, one inside the other, and had an interesting talk from Dr. Buckley Turkington, being dismissed at 945 after singing the National Anthem and ‘Taps.’ “Each girl brought something for the hospital.” Dancing Star, of the First Takapuna Company, reports: “The Cornflower Patrol won the cup Cor May and were also awarded the ribbon for attendance. On the King’s Birthday we went for a most enjoyable hike to Campbell’s Bay. “At the meeting held on June 21, Pauline Curtis, of the Cornflowers, and Beryl Winstone. of the Clovers, were enrolled. The Guides again decorated posters illustrating the Guide Laws. “We have been working hard at sec-ond-class this month. Basketball practice is held every Saturday.” Featherfoot reports for the Maungarie and Panmure Company: “On June 1 the examination for the athletic badge was held at Otahuhu. Three of our Guides entered and all were successful. Oh the King’s Birthday we went for a hike to Point England. “Our first birthday party was great fun. The First and Second Otahuhu Companies joined us, and we played numbers of jolly games. The prize for the best decorated table was won by the Carnation Patrol.' “On Sunday, June 16. we attended a combined church parade of Guides, Brownies, Scouts and Cubs at St. Matthais Church, Panmure. “Last ceremonial we enrolled two new Guides and are hoping to have more recruits.” Sea Bird writes that the North Shore ; Guides are .engaged in second-class work and* basketball practice. Five ; artists’ badges have been won by ! these Guides. She forwards the foi--1 lowing amusing account of the losing I and finding of “Ermentrude,” who coni trols the destinies of this company: ; "North Shore Company has just ! passed through a time of great anxiety. Ermentrude, our mascot, was lost. ; Lrmie who led us to victory in the

basketball tournament, and who cheered so lustily for us at the swimming sports. Our Wednesday night meeting was more like a funeral than the usual cheery gathering. “Could some other company, knowing how well she carries out her duties as mascot, have kidnapped her? “We stood about in groups debating whether it would be best to advertise for her, or send out search parties. And then —our captain, doing her best to cheer us up, brought forth Belinda (the gramophone) and setting her on a chair, opened her, and 10, there was little Ermie cuddling the soundbox.

21, tli© birthday party of the Company was held at This ensures accuracy when reports are going to press.—Redfeather. Green Leaf, of the Second Whangarei Company, writes: “On the King’s Birthday we went to the Whangarei Falls. The morning was not promising, but we were all eager to start, and no one noticed the clouds that were rolling up from the east.

It was an hour off mid-day when we arrived at the falls, and we raced one another down the gully to the edge of the basin.

We had just had several days of rain and there was more water than usual coming over. Every rock was sparkling with spray and behind the thin cloud we could see ferns waving gently as drops of water struck them. It was very picturesque, in spite of the continual damp. “After lunch while we tidied up the remains of our fneal Captain hid herself, and we all had a ramble through the bush looking for her. We spent the rest of the afternoon talking and singing till it was time for our walk back. “At our last Ceremonial, Commissioner Wright enrolled two tenderfoots and presented the company cup to the Robin patrol. The Kingfisher patrol has a new recruit.”

Dark Flower, of the Onerahi Com-l pany, writes: “We have been very busy this month working for the Child Nurse, Laundress and Domestic Service badges. Miss Thomas is preparing us for the Child Nurse, and the patrol leaders are instructing us for the other badges. “There have been no new recruits this month, but two will be. coming soon. Some tenderfoots are busily working # for their Second Class. The best patrol for the month was the Tui, but the others were not far behind. Next month we hope to gain the Needlewoman’s and Ambulance badges, then, with the Cook’s badge, we will have our First Class. “At the end of the year we hope to have a concert, which should be great fun.” WITH THE BOY SCOOTS A meeting of District Scoutmasters will be held this evening at the Boy Scout Headquarters, Albert Street, at 7.30, when the question of the birthday parade and general scouting business will be dealt with. $ * * The annual nfeeting of the Pukekohe Troop will be held in the Masonic Hall at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 27. The Devonport Troop’s annual meeting will take place on the same date at the Methodist Hall, Church Street. Twenty-five Sea Scouts were the guests of the Flying Angel Mission on June 20 at the invitation of Mr. Vickery and the ladies of the Harbour Light Society. An interesting lantern lecture' with slides of ships and sea scenes, exhibitions of conjuring and games made up the programme, supper being in the hands of the ladies. The Sea Scouts thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment, and their behaviour was excellent. During the evening Mr. Vickery announced that he will make Sea Scout entertainments an established fact, to be held quarterly. The Flying Angel Mission has received instructions from its headquarters to encourage Sea Scouts and Deep-sea Scouts. The mission has removed from its old quarters to the Navy League rooms in Simich’s Buildings, Customs Street. No. 1 Division Big Grey Eagle, of the West Street Church of Christ Tlroop, reports: “On Saturday, June 22. the first Patrol Leaders’ Conference was held at West Street. This was a great success and was enjoyed by all.

“A start was made at 7 p.m. with games, followed by an hour with the leaders in conference. Finally came supper (not the least important item on the programme). ‘‘There were present at the business meeting: District Scoutmaster F. E. Walls (in chair), Assistant Scoutmaster A. H. Crawford, West Street (minute secretary for the meeting), three patrol leaders from the Herne Bay Troop, one from Grey Lynn, one senior and two leaders from West Street, one troop leader and three patrol leaders from Ley’s, three All Saints’ patrol leaders, four patrol leaders from St. James’s and one from First Gordon. “The following appointments were made: Chairman, Patrol Leader N. E. Carson (l-lerne Bay); vice-chairmen, Patrol Leader C. H. Lewis (Herne Bay) and Patrol Leader J. G. Tait (Leys); secretary, Patrol Leader R. Wright (Leys); treasurer, Patrol Leader 1. A. Cameron (West Street); advisory scouter, Scoutmaster F. E. Whlls (West Street). “It was unanimously decided to hold meetings every six weeks, questions for debate to be forwarded by leaders to the secretary beforehand. Other details were successfully dealt with. “Three second leaders from West Street attended to the catering and leaders from Ley’s Troop assisted with the clearing up.”

The Claudelands/Troop, which was sixty strong and the largest in the Waikato district, has been disbanded owing to the difficulty of obtaining a scoutmaster.

This troop was founded by the Rev. J. Rich, who left Hamilton some months ago, since when the strength of the troop has diminishd. An effort is being made to link up the remaining members with the Frankton Troop.

The first anniversary of the. Morrinsville Troop took place recently, when over twenty scouts were entertained by the committee. The chairman, the Rev. F. W. Wilkes, congratulated Scoutmaster Carlick on the progress of the troop in its year of existence. A Wolf Cub Pack, under Mrs. Watson, has now been formed, and twentyone Cubs assembled at the last meetGIFTS There are no things I would not give To you . . . The lovely colours, richly blent In silver dew, The stars that prick a purple dusk At night; The radiance of eastern skies At waking light. I’d give you sunset skies of rose And gold: I’d give the perfumed twilight breeze That blows; I’d give the heavy wondrous scent Of sandal-wood . . . The music of a bird’s song If I could. I’d give you chalices of bronze And gold. And rare, sweet gifts of loveliness untold .... I cannot give you these or stars Above; I only send to you the gift Of love. —Red Star (Jean Mclndoe, aged 14). AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE Two Irishmen had a wager as to which would catch the most fish, when one overbalanced and fell into the water. “If you’re going to dive for them,” said the other in disgust, “I’m going home: “

BOG-FLOWER There was once a great king who reigned in a fair land between the Dawn and the Sunset, and whose kingdom abounded in riches and treasures of every kind, the loveliest of which was his daughter. Now the king doted on the princess, and spent all his time —instead of attending to affairs of State—in seeking out new trinkets and baubles, new treasures and wonders for his spoilt and haughty daughter. Her sleeping chamber was hung with the richest of tapestries: her little violin was the most beautiful in the world; and her silken slippers were fashioned by a Persian queen. But the princess was weary of luxury, and her father, the king, became very miserable, as all misers do, because he could not find enough treasure for the hoard. One morning the king and the princess were walking in the garden, across the lush green grass. The young wind was stirring in the daffodils, and in the violet bed the green leaves waved gently aside, giving the most transient glimpses of the sweet fragrant flowers. Shady bowers of creeping ivy, cool an’d slender, and a coppice of little green willows, offered a most inviting shade; but the princess was unhappy, and, as they passed the dovecot, she burst into tears.

“I wish I were one of my little white birds,” she sobbed. The king patted her hand, but he could not do anything, and the undergardener thought he could not do anything either, but he was sorry for the beautiful princess, so he went home and told his old mother all about it. The old woman nodded her head in the way old women have.

“Let her be coming here,” she said; “I have something that will bring sunshine into her heart.”

The under-gardener was a rather blunt young man, so he just walked up to the princess in the garden next morning and said: “Mother says let you be going to see her in the cottage.” The princess was for cutting off his head, but the king said wisely: “But there might be something.” So the princess went with the undergarder.<*r to the cottage, and said haughtily to the old woman: “What have you that my royal father has not already bestowed on me?” T£f n the old woman put down her Knitting, and, nodding her head, led the princess into the little garden, and showed her a tiny, frail bog-flower whose starry blossoms lifted their white faces to the sky. And the old woman’s eyes were radiant, for she had brought the wee bog-flower from Ireland itself in the early days. But the princess’ eyes ere full of scorn as she marched passionately out of the cottage gate. ln - when the proud spoilt princess was trying to she t? Wl , S i l she had accepted the toi.t of the old woman. Next dav she if et sTie n T d \°l i he cottase to ask humbly I th« he i , COU d have the bog-flower. But the old woman came to the door with streaming eyes. ILn .. the cruel frost itself has killed * night ’ l°ve,” said she. th fl 0 nl 9 y the P, rince *s walked ba«k to the palace, and asked the king for a out’nnif’ bU \ h ° thought she was out of her mind. So th , e Princess pined and pined, and at last, one dark night, when the air was chill, and the frost was cruef o h A P b"o n s C - e fl S o S w d i ed tO,J - aU f ° r the —Little Swift Canoe (Fitzie^Morris). , T ll .® dall lia, of which i= an s?-e ni h?, var J? ty in shape, colour and . “ e * x f a nat ive of Mexico. It was fir-.t in°l7B4 bv°AnH hat Untry to Europe L * . Dy Andrew Dahl the dahS S was d b WiiS , named after him. Th«