CENTENNIAL CAMP FOR GIRL GUIDES

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 102, 24 January 1940, Page 4

CENTENNIAL CAMP FOR GIRL GUIDES

Pleasant Locality At Tauherenikau u VISIT YESTERDAY BY LADY GALWAY Nearly 150 girls, ranging in age from 1G to 23, are attending the New Zealand Girl Guides’ centennial camp in beautiful surroundings at Tauherenlkau. The camp was originally planned on a much larger scale and was to have been attended by guides from all over the world. The war has prevented the attendance of guides from overseas, however, aud the 150 girls, now in camp represent only a quarter of the number that were to have attended. Yesterday the camp was visited by Lady Galway, who is Dominion president of the association and who, before coming to 'New Zealand, was a commissioner in England. On alighting from her car she was met by the Chief Commissioner for New Zealand. Aliss Ruth Herrick, and the camp commandant, Aliss Al. Burgin. The guides, who were drawn up in a guard of honour, gave her a choral welcome. Before lunching with the camp staff Lady Galway watched a demonstration of signalling. She made thorough inspection of the camp and returned to AVellington at about 5.30 p.m. ' Today about 118 of the guides are to travel to AVellington by special train to visit the Exhibition. They will leave Featherston at 8 a.m. aud are to be baek in camp at about 10.30 p.m. On Sunday afternoon the camp was visited by parents and friends. The Bishop of AVellington, the Rt. Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland, was a guest at tea and remained to conduct a special service for the guides in the evening. The camp covers a wide area in a paddock on the property of Air. Quentin Donald, and is sheltered from the prevailing wind by a wide belt of native bush. The guide tents, which are of many colours, red, green, orange, yellow, blue or white, stand out brilliantly against the darker background of trees. The Union Jack, the international, or “AA’orld” flag, and the New Zealand flag fly in the centre of the parade, ground. In the daytime, and in fine weather, the flies of the tents are all rolled up and tied. Bedding and equipment is folded up neatly and placed off the ground on camp racks or stands made of manuka or willow. The kitchens and store tents are set well in the shade of the bush. Campers wear the new light blue overall, shorts or play suits, and each of the four groups has its own particular col-our-green, orange, red or brown, which is worn in a vivid scarf round the neck. All the girls are barelegged, sunburned and fit. Guides are summoned to their various activities by the call of a triton shell, the way in which the ancient Alaori summoned his people. The triton shell was presented by the Auckland Aluseum, and an Auckland guider has learnt how to blow it. The sound _ it makes is similar to that of a ship’s whistle and it has been nicknamed “The Awatea.”

Mornings in eamp begin with instruction and exercises in physical fitness, training which is in the care of Miss Martin, an English visitor who has made it her special study. Country dancing arranged by Miss' Martin takes place in the evening. Tallis and demonstrations have been given by an official of the Automobile Association (Wairarapa) patrol service, in motor mechanics and roadside repairs. Signalling instruction is being given by officers of the Post and Telegraph Department. Demonstrations have also been given in the repairing of tents, and the cleaning, sharpening and correct use of outdoor tools, such as axes, hatchets and spades. The Dominion secretary, Miss M. Iles, is in charge of the canteen and shop, and Miss Constance Morice of transport arrangements. Miss Mona Burgin is camp commandant, Miss Duthie, quartermaster and equipment, Miss R. Chamberlain, staff commandant, and Miss S. Lusk, camp nurse. , The chief commissioner for New Zealand, Miss Ruth Herrick, is also in camp. The camp has been inspected by Dr J. M. Coutts, Martinborough. (Pictures on Page 7.)