SCAVENGER HUNT HELD FOR KINDERGARTEN CAMPAIGN FUNDS

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 187, 26 August 1955, Page 3

SCAVENGER HUNT HELD FOR KINDERGARTEN CAMPAIGN FUNDS

A "Scavenger Hunt" was held by the Free Kindergarten Association Committee on Thursday night, August 18, to raise funds for the proposed kindergarten. Tlckets were sold to about 20 entrants. Starting from Rickit's Ha 11 at 8 p.m. parties ckimbered into cars excitedly clutching lists of 12 articles to be collected and brought to the hall by 10 p.m. First on the list was a spider in a bottle. Taupo lost a number of jpine seedlings as competitors searched frantically for trees complete with roots and not exceeding 12 inches in height. The Spa Hotel was the next on the lists, visited solely for the purpose of obtaining Mr Jim Birnie's signature. Entrants were then required to get a inusical instruinent, which they had to be able to play, a tablespoon of tea, and then to ring a certain telephone number for the next clue, which was a piece of an acacia tree. A dead koura (crayfish) was next, and to many the obtaining of these proved a rather wet experience as the edges of lake and river were searched with torches. A number were obtained, not before several fingers had been nipped. The problem of producing them dead at the hall appeared to he simply and easily overcome. When asked how she killed hers, Mrs Sally Kent replied that she "hopped on it-" A coloured paper hat, which had to be worn, was the next requirement, then a certain shop had to be visited to obtain a 3-16th inch washer. A visit to Mr Ernie Taylor was necessary for a square of cloth, final requirement being an advertisement from the previous week's Taupo Times, and a scrupulously measured quarter inch square of cheese. First back were Mrs Sally Kent and Mr F. Bostock, at 9.15 p.m., with items complete, except that they had not obtained their washer from the correct shop. This clue proved the trickiest, as onlv one shop had the L required washers and eacli had a small pieee of wool attached. All except one party collected the wrong type. Mr Jock Booth created a great deal of amusement when he manhandled a small log into the hall as his share of an acacia tree. Doubts were held, when he produced an old gramophone for his musical instrument, whether it would play, but he finally managed to get it playing backwards. Wirmer of the rnens' prize was Mr Richard Tomkies, who received a handsome electric torch for being first into the hall with a complete and correct list of articles, including the special washer. Mrs Ngaire Logan won the ladies' prize, also liaving a complete and correct list, and received a beautiful powder blue cup and saucer with plate to matcli. Interviewed by the Taupo Times, members of the Kindergarten Committee remarked that many people missed a great deal of fun, and expressed the hope that the next scavenger hunt would be better attended. The cominittee and willing supportei'S provided a generous supper for all at the conclusion of the hunt. Funds raised toi* ihe kindergarten totalled £7 6s 9d, and the committee thanks those who made this possible.