SCOUT JAMBOREE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 August 1939, Page 6

SCOUT JAMBOREE

GATHERING NEXT YEAR AT HERETAUNGA INITIAL ORGANISATION COMPLETE. SIX THOUSAND BOYS GOING INTO CAMP. The first stage of the International Scout Jamboree, to be held at Heretaunga from December 27 of this year to January 11, 1940, is now complete. The thousands of applications—each accompanied by the initial £1 entry fee —have been counted, sorted and checked by the willing helpers of the Jamboree team. The total of 5,000 applications from New Zealand boys alone has exceeded all expectations, and the Scouters and their helpers in charge are to be congratulated on the work they have put into the initial and most arduous stages of the Jamboree organisation. Now starts the complicated business of arranging transport camping accommodation, food and the thousands of other details for the 6.000 boys —no easy matter. The site at Heretaunga is, of course, by now well advanced. Thanks to the generosity of Messrs R. and W. Barton, of Featherston, who have presented to the Jamboree the old Barton Homestead' at Trentham. and to the help and assistance of many others, much of the expense and difficulty of obtaining labour and material has been obviated. Already the site is beginning to boar something of the gala aspect of the forthcoming Jamboree.

Each weekend willing Scouts and their supporters arc to be seen at Heretaunga, digging ditches, levelling ground, and clearing scrub, and doing the thousand and one duties necessary for the assured smooth running of the camp. Visitors to Wellington for the Exhibition are urged to visit the Jamboree Camp. It will be open to the public on four or five specified days, and in addition there will be two public displays in the arena during the day and one at night. A camp-fire is being held on the evening of January 4 and a Sea Scout display on Wellington Harbour on January 5. Boys from all over the world will be gathered together enjoying the free, healthy, happy life that is Scouting. Camp-fires, entertainments, swimming sports—all these and dozens of other Scouting activities will be patronised. Over 93 Scouts will be attending from the Wairarapa district alone.