GIRL GUIDES' RALLY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 275, 21 November 1927, Page 12

GIRL GUIDES' RALLY.

PAGEANT ON DOMAIN.

WELCOME TO THE CHIEF

COMMISSIONER,

Saturday marked the occasion of the holding of a spectacular Guides' rally on the Domain, primarily for the purpose of welcoming home the Chief Commissioner for New Zealand (Mrs. W. R. Wilson), who recently returned from a visit to the Old Country, and, secondly, in honour of the visiting commissioners who are in Auckland for their annual conference. Over 1000 Girl Guides and 500 Brownies participated in the brilliant pageant, which was conducted under propitious weather conditions, and before an attendance of upwards of 4000 people. The arrival of the Chief Commissioner was stamped by the enthusiasm of both Guides and Brownies, and 1500 lusty voices heralded the approach of the re-! spected leader of the organisation. Mrs. Wilson was accompanied on to the parade ground by the Auckland Provincial Commissioner, Dr. Margaret Knight, and together they were escorted to a commanding daiis on the oval, where the visiting commissioners awaited them, by members of the Queen Victoria Maori Girls' College troops, who chanted a delightful native welcome, and performed an appropriate haka to the delight of everyone. The "breaking of the colours" followed, and then the Guides, approaching the grandstand in solid phalanx, turned about, sat down and formed a living trefoil of the Guides' badge. The I effect was magnificent, but it was only a prelude to what was to follow. The Brownies then paid their felicitations to the Chief Commissioner, and, supplied with balloons, nearly as big as themselves, skipped and played around in ecstasy, to the accompaniment of music.

This raised the curtain on the most gorgeous spectacle of the day—the march past, which was an admirable demonstration of efficiency and precision in action, and the taking of the salute by Mrs. Wilson. Like so many soldiers, troop after troop filed past the raised dais, marching in unison, and with eyes turned to the right.

Later in the proceedings a number of Guides dressed in Greek costume?, gave demonstrations of the development of physical fitness through team games, while King Arthur and his Knights gave an example of the right and the wrong. An enrolment ceremony, in which a vow of allegiance to the King is one of the essentials, was then conducted, and a

subsequent sham explosion gave the guides an opportunity of exemplifying their motto of preparedness, by carrying out first aid. Tent erection, the making of camp fires, archery by merry followers of "Robin Hood," overhead ball games, maypole and country dancing were also indulged in, and the participants delighted in their work, which was inspected by the Commissioners.

The final "scene" of the day was the pageant march past, which was led by the Ancient Greeks.

During the course of the afternoon the opportunity was taken by the Chief Commissioner to present meclals of merit to Misses Kathleen Bentley and Joy Morrison, in recognition of the fact that they had been instrumental in saving a life at Birkdale last February. While bathing, a sister of Miss Morrison's got into difficulties, and the Guide went to her assistance, while several Brownies rushed away for further help. The distressed girl was eventually brought back to safety, and Miss Bentley played a great part in applying resuscitation methods to her.

Mrs. Wilson also handed over to the "Cavell" First Auckland Troop, the Kohn Cup, the inter-provincial trophy awarded for general guide work, and in each instance she congratulated the recipients on their accomplishments.

Hakas and displays of physical culture given by boys of the St. Stephen's Maori College added to the enjoyment of the fixture.