CRACROFT HOUSE

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24536, 9 April 1945, Page 2

CRACROFT HOUSE

OFFICIAL OPENING BY LADY NEWALL Cracroft House, Cashmere, the fine building, set in spacious grounds, recently presented to the girl guides by Mr and Mrs J. F. Cracroft Wilson, was officially opened on Saturday by her Excellency Lady Newall, in the presence of a large gathering of guide officials, brownies, and guides and their parents and friends. Lady Newsfll, who was accompanied by Miss Nora Walton, was received by the acting-provincial commissioner. Miss H. M. presented to her Excellency the Divisional Commissioner for South Canterbury (Miss M. Marriott), the, provincial secretary (Mrs H. Wales), and District Commissioner (Miss J. Young, South Canterbury). Mesdames J. F. Cracroft Wilson, E. Luttrell, Neil Hamilton, and Miss G. Rankin. With the guides forming a double guard of honour. Lady Newall proceeded to the house, where she received a traditional brownie welcome.

“This is a great occasion,” said her Excellency, "and air interested in the guides are most grateful to Mr and Mrs Cracroft Wilson for their splendid gift of Cracroft House, which will serve as a camping, training centre for different badges, arid which will be greatly used at week-ends. Headquarters will be holding a camp here In August, and eventually it will be the pride of all South Island guides.” The training given to guides and brownies, Lady Newall continued, helped them to discover their hidden gifts, encouraged them to try, and keen on trying, experiments, and taught them not only valuable lessons, but games and teamwork. It prepared girls for adult life, showed them the beauty of life, and provided them with the armour to safeguard them against evil. ‘‘Guide training enables members to learn how to live, not only wisely and happily, but more abundantly” concluded Lady Newall. “May those who enter this house find their minds kindled and their spirits heartened to achieve the best in guiding” Cracroft House, a two-storeyed building with exceptionally thick walls, has sleeping Accommodation upstairs for about 40 persons, and downstairs are recreation and dining rooms and a large lounge. All centrally heated. The kitchen is fitted With electrical equipment. and there is a large ablution block adjoining. Already a number of useful gifts towards the furnishing of the house have been offered. After the official onening on Saturday a programme of songs and folk dancing was nressnted bv fiuidep and a brisk business was done at a bring and buy stall, ■ • - Among the many present were the Mayoress (Miss E. Couzins). three representatives of the boy scouts —Mr A. J. Scott (county president), who/was accompanied by Mrs Scott. Sir Joseph, Ward 1 *(county commissioner). and Mr R. SandforcL (field commissioner), also Major E. Gray (provincial commissioner of girl guides for Nelson, on leave), and Mesdames Douglas Anderson. H. G. L C. L. AveriU, R. T. Alston. G. Mills. Misses'D. Anderson and J. Lee (members of the local executive committee).