FOR THE GIRLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 279, 24 November 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

FOR THE GIRLS.

• OUR OUTDOOR LIFE.

COMRADES IN SPORT.

My Dear Girls, — • The thought came to me as I watched a carnival by bonnie Intel-house Club Sports Gals what a jolly old world this is, and what happy lifelong friendships can be formed hi the playing fields. Friendship is the sunshine of the mind, ana reflects on tnose around, for we in this happy land are children cf the great outdoors, sun babies, water babies are we as soon as we can toddle. Our schools, too encouraga sport and friendly rivalry iri gan:cs and outdoor life, school has it* hockey team, tennis, or basketball. What is more delightful than physical drill, with its graceful movements and evolutions? • Then the wonderful |ji.'t °' " Otaimai," presented Sa t..e G<r! Guides' Association by two very generous [sdics to be their national heme for al! time. Otaimai, in the Waitakere Ranges, is a place to dream about in its lovely bush setting and glorious views. As hundreds of Budget readers are keen Guides, I'm sure they are att looking forward some time this summer to sleeping under its hospitable roof, or, better still, under canvas at the holiday camp in the grounds. Here Guides, will come to learn fresh lessons in love and service, to work and play, attend instruction camps, form lifelong friendships, and altogether be healthy, happy comrades in sport. The sea spirit, too, it already wakening in us. From my window as I write I can see the pretty little painted ship 3 with snowy canvas set—away they go down the shimmering blue sea road. The sea spirit beckons the yachtsmen on, for they were born to the scent of it, the lap of it, and cannot have enough of it.

It will not be long now before our white beaches are full of happy brown-skinned boys and girls, who, donning brightly coloured bathing costumes, will be splashing and laughing in the briny, true children of Nature, borne on the breast of theNsea mother. What a splendid heritage is ours who live under the Southern Cross, who can live almost six months in the open. For in our city there is no child so poor that when summer comes he or she may not, for the trouble of half an hour's walk, find themselves upon a healthy ozone , « swept beach. &^£^ So may summer come soon, and i \a L"*"^*^^^ linger late and scatter gifts and gar- \fJ^ /^j^/^ lands to her sun-worshipping children. £^