GIRL GUIDE NOTES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 32, 1 November 1933, Page 5

GIRL GUIDE NOTES

— Progress of Rangers The amount of progress made by Rangers varies enormously in different parts of the country. On the whole the Rangers who have achieved most are those who come frequently in contact with other Ranger companies. Division or district gatherings, planned and carried out by the Rangers themselves, not. only give them the stimulus of numbers, but a wider range of ideas, and a larger vision of the possibilities of Rangering. Progress is slow where Rangers consist o£ small isolated companies, or patrols attached to guide companies, and taking a secondary place. There is no pattern type of Ranger company; each must find the way in which it best can supply the things that are being crowded out of the working girl’s life, and so help her to fuller development. The country Ranger’s greatest need may be to be brought into touch with life outside her own district, bo the company holiday, instead of a camp, may take the form of a visit to the town, with all its chances of seeing new aspects of life and work. On the other hand, the town Ranger’s need, may be for quiet and freedom from monotony. Rangering may bring ner the power to find beauty out of doors, to' enjoy the simplicity of camping, or just to be alone without being lonely, satisfied with all the companionship of books and thoughts. The widening of the Ranger's own mind and outlook is the first step in preparation for service, since to be of any value, service must be the outcome of a sympathetic understanding of other people’s needs. Mixing with girls of other occupations and surroundings, and collaboration with other women's societies, all help her to that wider understanding of other people’s points of view.

The World Bureau. The world bureau, to which the Guides subscribed on thinking day, is the office of the World Association of. Guides and Girl Scouts, as they are called in America. It keeps records, and collects information for handing on, prepares for the meetings of the world committee, and the world conferences. The bureau might be situated anywhere, as it does not belong to one country more than to another. But the Guide Association naturally wants to have it near to where the chief’s live, and so it is in England. An American friend, Mrs. Storrow, has presented a chalet in Switzerland to the World Bureau, as an international centre. “Our Chalet,” as it is called, is cared for by the Eclaireuses Suisses, and is open to girls of all nations, who are enrolled in the movement. Hutt Shield Competition. This year the competition took the form of a hike afternoon, and the patrols in the companies were judged on inspection, equipment, fires, cooking and clearing up, by the Guiders working in pairs. On arrival each company was inspected, and marks given for general appearance and suitability for hiking, and all during the afternoon notice was taken of their appearance and manners. The patrol leaders went down to Ngaio Valley first, and when they had all chosen their sites the Guides joined them, and then the turfing, gathering of stones and wood began in earnest. Fires small and large soon were burning, and many and varied were the foods cooked, eome perhaps very much cooked, but all eaten and greatly enjoyed. Then, after the embers were cold, the turf was replaced. The new Guides were as good as the older ones at clearing up, and those who were marking on this section had difficulty in finding where many of the fires had been. . Many of the Guides, after they had tidied up everything went exploring in the bush nearby. All too soon it was time to pack up and go home, and the Guides were again inspected to be sure they showed no traces of their fires or their cooking. Then all waited a few minutes while the totals of the different sections were added, and the result announced, Second Petone heading the list thia time.