Fewer guides in Canterbury

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33360, 19 October 1973, Page 5

Fewer guides in Canterbury

A decrease in the number of girls in the girl guide movement in Canter--1 bury had been recorded last year, the annual meeting of the Canterbury' Provincial Girl Guide Association was told on Wednesday evening. In her annual report, the provincial commissioner (Mrs Sylvia Osborne) said the decrease overall was attribu(table to a slight decrease in the number of leaders. “For a number of years I now we have been in the : fortunate position of increas■ing the number of leaders 'and this has been reflected in the increase of girls to the movement,” said Mrs Osborne.

“This year for the first! time, we have shown a slight, decrease in the number of! leaders and consequently a corresponding decrease over all in the number of girls. “Guide numbers have increased by 70. but these are offset by a decrease of 72 in brownie branch. It is perhaps significant that the waiting, list for girls wishing to join! brownies has now risen to' 350. These figures speak for themselves. Most units in! the ranger branch have now! consolidated their numbers and the slight decrease here can be accounted for by the closure of the sea ranger unit in November of last year.” Guest speaker at the meeting was Mrs J. Martin, provincial guide commissioner from Marlborough, who attended the World Commissioners’ Conference in Ghana earlier this year. “At the conference we suddenly realised the enormous potential of women in things such as the guide movement, for the future of the world through children.” She was also aware, said I Mrs Martin, of the value of ’organisations such as the girl ’guides, in promoting interi national understanding. As one of her last duties

as provincial commissioner. ] Mrs Osborne presented the medal of merit award to Mrs| K. B. Smith, who has beenprovincial secretary’ for the Canterbury association for! the last five years. Mrs Osborne, who has I served as provincial commissioner for the last five yearsi also, will retire shortly, but I will not leave the guide move-! ment.