THE SCOUT TREK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 259, 25 March 1913, Page 4

THE SCOUT TREK.

TO THE MOUNTAIN AND BACK,

The New Plymouth Boy Scouts' trek to the Mountain and back was completed last night, the members of the party, which was in charge of Major F. W. Sandford and Scoutmasters Sullivan and McGahey, reaching home shortly after six o'clock. The boys to the number of twenty left town on Saturday morning at 7.30 o'clock. A stay of ten minutes was made at the Mangorei Creamery, and the next halt was made at Egmont Village, An advance party cooked a meal at the radius line, which was quickly despatched by the main body. At a quarter past three the cart was packed and the last 4 ] / a miles of the journey begun. Two hours had been allowed for this, but the young enthusiasts cut the distance out in an hour and forty minutes. Arrived at the house they were heartily welcomed by the manager (Mr. Murphy ) and the visitors stopping at the hotel, and were the cynosure of all eyes and numerous cameras. They spent a merry evening with the inmates of the hostel, and finally turned in at nine o'clock. Sunday was "an extremely rough day. The Scouts went up to the Bell's Falls track, but were driven .back by the sleet. Yesterday morning broke fairly fine, and many of the boys made their first acquaintance with snow, a heavy fall of which was experienced during the night, reaching almost down to the hostel. At 8 o'clock all hands went up again to the lower side of Humphries' Castle, under the guidance of Mr. Murphy. Ten o'clock saw them back at the housg making tracks for home. At the request of the manager the party paraded in front of the new hostel and were. photographed, and at 10.55 a.m. the return journey was actually commenced. A halt of 15 minutes was made at the radius line, and the spell at the sawmills for dinner lasted an hour ana* a quarter. A further halt of 15 minutes at Egmont; Village also helped to break the monotony of the tramp, and a steady pace was maintained until home was reached. The total walking time on the return trek was 5% hours, compared with 7%' hours on the journey to the mountain. The last mile was cut out in fourteen minuses, the three smnllest boys leading the front line. All the boys returned* hale and hearty, having keenly enjoyed" the trip.