A LONG TREK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 178, 27 January 1914, Page 8

A LONG TREK.

Huv scociv .\iAi((;ii i-tilim -\i v KLA.sJJ. The "Wikt Dinks" returned to New Plymouth yesienlay from Auckland, wuli lliittciing Hags, and gamely drugging a (i : ;i t-v.i. Uck-cun. 'Jim Imvs urn: as* lit a. liiid.es. The lacl th'.it they had just completed a mari-li oi -II miles in under two days din iv>l appealto have damped then- arduur hi all, though it had certainly lowered their avoirdupois n little.

The -Wild I lucks' are a patrol of boy scouts, who left New Plymouth for Auckland on IVi-unii.-er :'.», under .Major Saiidford. They went to Auckland by boat, and after spending a week in sight-swing, they set out on trek for New Plymouth. They took all their baggage on a trek-curl which they hail built for themselves, anil they slept in beds only once during the whole of their 221) miles Irani]).

The boys went lirst to Thames, and from there to Patron,, where the cart broke down. They carried tueir swags to Wuikiuo, and there they were the guests of the miners. After visiting the Wuihi mines, they -:cked up the cart again ami pushed on to Te Aroha, where they spent two days, and. incidentally, saw several New Plymouth people. The party then visited Ruakura Farm, spending two day<fc"r..?rc, and then pushed on to Krankton Junction, via Hamilton. They visited the Waitomo Caves for a day, and then went on to Te Kuiti, where the citizens entertained them at dinner. They then struck across country and got into some real baekblock roads. They camped that night nine miles from Te Kuiti. The party pushed on next day for ten miles to the beautiful Mangaolaki (lorge, where (hey camped. At the Tangatamaire hill, the cart became toJ much even for the "Wild Ducks," and a horse was requisitioned. At Mokau the scouts were taken on n trip up the river. When they arrived at Moliau they found a message from a New Plymouth gentleman, to the effect that Major iSnndfnrd could get anything he wanted—food or money—and charge it to him. Though the spirit of the offer was greatly appreciated, it was not necessary for the party to avail themselvos of it, for their iinanees were still nourishing. At Mokau there was a terrific gale, and the party had the use of the hall. From Te Kuiti, the party had travelled with as little luggage as possible, and had little spare clothing. At 7 a.m. on Saturday, tliey left Mokau and made Tongaporutu that night, where they slept in beds (on Mr Chapman's farm) for the first time since the march began. Mr Chapman turning his own family out of their beds to ensure the boys a good night. On Frmday they marched the 24 miles to Urenui, and yesterday, at 5 p.m., they reached New Plymouth. The boys were cheered all along the road, and wer? soon the centre of an admiring crowd and the objective of a camera.

Major Sanilford, in discussing the trip last night, spoke of it as an education in .itself. The Thames Valley, which he had thought was volcanic, was rich marina land. The Pinko swamp land was rich, hul «n< not for poor men, as it cost too much to develop. He spoke highly of the conduct ami gamelies* of the hoys. The following are the tumps of the hoys, with their weights before and after th? trip. Wlien they set out they were weighed in full scout Oiltlit: -R. .T. Dcaro, 7st .">'/. lb (7st 51b); Downs. list T'/.H) (list ill)'): It. Oreiuer, fist 12%1b (li-t 111b); Downs, junr., ost (lib (.int (ill)); I'.cn. Sole. :.st 2</.lb (ost lib); A. Krookcr. 5-t - M Mb (Sst lib); Smart. 4st 111b (4st 121b): Major Sandford. 12st 10lb (1M 51h). The figures in parentheses are the weights taken at, the end of the trip. The co*t of the trip works out at under £3 per head.