GIRL GUIDES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 42, 13 November 1937, Page 6

GIRL GUIDES

Dominion Camp Fire To ' Be Held On Saturday, December 11, Girl Guides of New Zealand will bold a Dominion camp fire. This will be on the same lines as tiie one which was arranged for part of the guides’ Coronation celebrations, but which had to be postponed. Referring to the camp fire in “To Rama,” the guide magazine, Miss Ruth Herrick, chief commissioner for New Zealand states: “Instead of celebrating a great' national event we now have given to us a great opportunity for service. Ail who read their newspapers will have seen the appeal made by the International Red Cross committee for the relief of distress in the Far East caused by the war. The Red Cross societies in times of national disaster are known throughout the world for their impartiality in caring for suffering humanity and directing assistance where the need is greatest. “Mr. Lewis de Gielgud, undersecretary general, League of Red Cross Societies, who recently visited New Zealand, wrote to the Press on the eve of his departure: ‘I am sure there will be no hesitation on the part of New Zealanders in supplying the Red Cross with the means of answering the cable it has received. But I am venturing to ask for the hospitality of your columns in order to stress the character of the appeal made. The opportunity given is an opportunity to help in relieving dire suffering—an occasion for displaying not antipathy toward anyone, but concrete sympathy with people in dreadful distress.’

“We have suggested to the Rod Cross Society of New Zealand,” Miss Herrick continues, “that as guides we should like to help, and so it is proposed to make this Dominion eamp fire one of service ito which we bring gifts ,of medical comforts'and other things suitable to send away to the East. The Red Cross Society has written to US’ telling us this will be a most acceptable way of'assisting them in their efforts to supply what is needed. They will supply a list of the most suitable requirements. These can be put together in a box or case and banded over to the Red Crossor St. John Ambulance agents in the local centres, and they will be responsible for sending them away. “Commissioners and guiders 'will interest their guides and tell them what we are trying to do. I feel sure all companies will be keen to help and assist with the filling of a case of useful things. Almost everyone can make a triangular bandage of grey calico or an eye bandage and the youngest guide will be able to share with the making and giving as easily as those of Ranger age. i “We don’t often act together as one unit all over New Zealand, doing the .same thing at the same time, and this should make us feel strong and help us to enjoy to the full our own particular camp fire,” Miss Herrick concludes.

World Fellowship Week

To-morrow marks the opening of the “Week of World Fellowship and Prayer,” which, ever since the establishing of the world’s Y.W.C.A., in 1898, has been one of the international links in the movement, which now has a million members in 50 countries of the world. During-this week, every Y.W.C.9. of the world holds special gatherings, and each dqy one continent is made a subject for prayer, and information is given concerning the needs of the women of the country. On Thursday, November 18, for instance, New Zealand is the subject, for consideration as far north as Iceland and as far east as Singapore. This year the Y.IV.C.A. of New Zealand is making the World Fellowship Week the occasion of a self denial gift for China in response to an urgent appeal that has come from the Y.W.C.A. headquarters In Shanghai. The Wellington members will be asked to bring their self denial gifts to a special world fellowship service on the evening of Thursday next. • The'World Fellowship Week will begin at 'Wellington with a “Sunrise Service” at 7 a.m. to-morrow, at Kelburn.

Flying Angel Mission

Yesterday morning a meeting was held of the committee, of the Flying Angel Mission for Seamen. Mrs. G. P. H. Davidson was in the chair and those present were Mrs. R. D. Oliver, Mrs. D. A. Ewen, Mrs. David Aiken, Mrs. Hansell, Mrs. Mack, Mrs. Ashley Jones, Mrs. Graham Robertson, Mrs. HarleyBrown, Mrs. H. P. Hopkins, Mrs. W. H. Price, Mrs. Kindred, Miss Eleanor Pharazyn, Mrs. Hansell and the Rev. B. Williams. A great deal of business was transacted and methods were discussed of raising funds for Christmas cheer and entertainment. The mission always makes a special effort at Christmas time and this year they hope to organise a particularly bright and helpful Christmas season for the men. The matron of the Red Cross Home, Hobson Street, acknowledges with grateful thanks all gifts received during the past month.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT

A notable achievement was recently attained by Miss Gwen Gibbs, principal of the Broadway School of Dancing, Palmerston North, and adjudicator of dancing for several competitions societies, recently when Mr. Alex Demery, examiner of the Royal Academy of Dancing. London, tested candidates for bis academy’s certificates at Palmerston North. Miss Gibbs herself succeeded in obtaining the advanced teachers’ certificate, being the first Now Zealand dancing tutor to gain this distinction, while her three assistants, .Misses Lorna McAffer, Margaret Pegden, and Loraine Major, were awarded both their elementary and intermediate teachers’ certificates at the sumo time. Of the pupils of the school, who were entered in the grade examinations, six out of nine gained passes in the elementary division, and five out of six were successful in the intermediate section. One of the pupils, Miss Pauline Matthews, aged 10, it is interesting to mention, won the distinction of being the youngest New Zealand pupil to gain her elementary examination certificate, thereby assisting Miss Gibbs's Broadway School of Dancing to enjoy such outstanding distinctions at the recent examinations. Indeed, it. is doubtful if any other school did anything like as well on this present tour of .Mr. Demery.—-P.B.A.