MARKED GROWTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 208, 3 September 1938, Page 21

MARKED GROWTH.

GIRLS' LIFE BRIGADE.

ACTIVITIES REVIEWED. A year of great activity and growth was reported at the fifth annual meeting of the Auckland Battalion of the Girls' Life Brigade which was held during the week. During the year there has been an increase of nine companies, 26 officers, 309 brigade girls and 100 cadets. In addition, the balance sheet disclosed a healthy surplus. Commandant D. Earle presided over the meeting. The report, which was adopted, stated that two officers' training classes had been held during the preceding six months and that the first programme included such practical sub* jects as cadet- work, squad drill, ceremonial and art work. The second class, held in July, was to help officers in training their companies for the competitions with marching, drill and knottying. An officers' week-end camp was held at Blockhouse Bay in May, at which instructions in brigade work were given by Major E. Blenkinsop, Earle Cup Competition. u The annual competition for the Earle Cup was held on 'October 6> 10 companies taking part, the 12th Auckland company being the winners. This is particularly creditable as at that time they were the youngest company, At a captain's meeting in April it was decided that, as the battalion was growing so large, the competition should be divided into senior and junior groups, the seniors to compete on September 24 and the juniors on October 1. At the first combined concert which was held in November last to raise funds for the annual conference a great success was registered. The battalion camp was held at Cockle Bay during Christmas and New Year. On January 25 a public welcome was given to Major E. Blenkinsop, national field organiser from England, who had come up from Wellington. Before Major Blenkinsop left for England she presided at a meeting of prospective and present n.c.o's when the question of forming an N.C.O. Association was discussed. The association was formed and the first meeting was held on July 21Major D. Earle was elected president. Twelve country companies have been adopted by the battalion during the year, with a view to helping them. Application was made by the Auckland Pageantry Committee to take part in a youth rally of the brigades, girl guides and scouts during the Centennial celebrations. The Girls' Life Brigade and Boys' Brigade executives met on August 26 to discuss the possibility of a combined open-air brigade display and it was proposed that a combined church parade be. held at the Town Hall within a .week of the display. Lieutenant E. Wells, cadet leader of the 10th Auckland Company was elected commanding-officer of the cadet section during the year. Reference was made to the promotion ofMajor D. Earle and she was congratulated on the honour she had received. The officers for the coming year are as followsr President, -Mr. W. H. Newton; commandant -of battalion,- --Major D. Earle; ...secretary, Lieutenant R.-'M. Dawson; treasurer. Captain N. Forster; adjutant. Captain M. Burton.