GIRL GUIDE NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22683, 24 June 1937, Page 2

GIRL GUIDE NOTES

[Bv O' UID Kit.]

1! ESIGN ATION OF MISS HART. It is with great regret that we have lo announce the resignation of Aliss Hart from the position of District Commissioner for Dunedin South. Miss Hart lias been a commissioner for just over three years, _ her district latterly including the Peninsula and the Taieri. Though she still her interest in Guiding, her absence from the _ uniformed ranks will be very much missed. The movement in Otago thanks, her for the service she has rendered it. REP ‘ RTS AND LEVIES. Report forms will bo sent to commissioners within the next few days for distribution to GuidersV Tho numbers given should be as for July 31. As full returns for the province hatfe to reach Dominion headquarters by August 31. Guidcrs are asked to fill in their forms and forward them to- their district commissioners not later than July 5. ' '

The usual headquarters levy of -9d per Brownie, Guide, Ranger, Guider, secretary (warranted), and commissioner is due at the same time as the reports, and should be forwarded direct to the provincial secretary. As far as the provincial levy is concerned, it is less this year than ever before. The districts are being asked for an amount equivalent to 3d per head per Guide and Brownie, and fiber© is no committee levy, as there was in the days before the districts were organised with district committees.

Guiders sometimes question these levies and ask why they should have to be paid. Headquarters levy, goes to keep up headquarters office and staff, to pay travelling expenses of Chief Commissioner and trainers, whoso visits are so valuable. Last year an Eagle Owl was brought over from Australia, and levies helped to pay for that visit. A certain amount goes towards the expenses of the post branch. An effort is being made to build up an endowment fund, and when that object is .achieved it will he possible gradually to abolish levies.

The amount paid into the province is expended on similar details, except that nothing is now being expended on office or staff. There is no province asking less than we do towards its expenses.

Nobody really likes paying levy money. If Guiders would explain to Guides and Brownies why a levy is necessary, how the money goes towards spreading Guiding, giving Guiders new ideas to pass on to their companies and packs, helping invalid girls, and so forth, they would bring their ninepences or help to raise the amount with more willingness. It would also be training them to understand a financial situation which they will meet with later in any nation-wide organisation they may join. LONE GUIDERS’ CONFERENCE. For a long week-end during May Lone Guiders from all parts of New' Zealand gathered in conference at the' Frederic Wallis House, Lower Hutt. It was the first time that New Zealand Lone Guiders had ever met to discuss their work. Every province in the Dominion had at least one representative, 22 being in residence most of the time. Mrs R. S. M'lnnes, Commissioner fox' Lones, W'as there; Miss Cobb, Commissioner for Posts, and several post and lone secretaries, most of whom were also lone captains as well. Miss Lysnar, a Lone Ranger captain, was commandant, and Lone Ranger and Guide captains and lieutenants made up the rest of the party. Several of the Guiders were not used to wearing uniform very often, and one delightful lieutenant had never been in uniform before nor had seen anyone in uniform, so far “outback” does she live. The Frederic Wallis House has not long been opened as a conference house. Though they were not the first actually to use it, the Lone Guiders’ application was the first one received. It is an ideal place for meetings and discussions. The house is most convenient and comfortable in every way, the large garage has been turned into a chapel, and there are extensive grounds and walks and a tennis court. Not that we Lone Guiders had time to spare for exploring, however, in that all too short week-end.

We arrived at Lower Hutt on the Friday f afternoon, and after _ being shown our quarters, arranged in patrols, and given afternoon tea, we had the first session of our long-looked-for-ward-to conference. The sessions followed one another closely, and all manner of things were discussed—company management, records, ete. ; how to make company letters attractive, nature in the lone company, games, friendliness, camp fires, finance, court of honour, and many more, though even we did not touch some aspects of the work, the time being all too short. As well as the sessions among ourselves, we had many noted visitors. Miss Cobb went away to Wellington, and an hour later came three toots of her horn, a signal for which we had all been straining our ears. At that there was a wild dash to the front door to give a welcome from the Now Zealand Lones to their Chief Commissioner, Miss Herrick. Known only by name before to so many Lone Guiders, it was a thrilling moment when we at last , saw our New Zealand chief and heard her speak. During the afternoon Miss Herrick was present at some of the sessions, and then took one session herself, speaking to us, of Dominion headquarters and how they aimed to help us all through their shop, their trainers, and their contact with world Guiding. Miss Duthie was another visitor who took a session, telling us of her visit to Sweden and other travels overseas, giving us a delightful glimpse of the w’orld beyond ourselves. Then there were Mrs Tweed (Wellington provincial commissioner), Mrs Huntingdon (for so Jong commisisoner for posts), and Miss Roussel! (herself blind, who is captain of the Blind Company). Dr Butchers, principal of the Education Department Correspondence School, took a session giving us a wonderful insight into the working of the school by which many Lone Guides are educated. Later we were shown over the Correspondence _ School buildings in Wellington, a visit which made many of us wish we could spend days there to see ways of putting Guiding on to paper. From the Correspondence School w© get our first New Zealand Lone Brownie Pack. This is something peculiar to New Zealand. The pack is not large, just two sixes of four each, with a Brown and Tawny Owl, the Brownie being nine to ten years of age. A second pack is just being formed, also of Correspondence School children. So far all are North Island children. It was a great week-end. Tlwse of us who had been Guiders before realise how fortunate wo were, and now have a great admiration for those who sot about Lone Guiding knowing nothing

whatever about Girl Guiding in general. And the result of it'all was that we became more convinced, if that were possible, that Lone Guiding is well worth while. PLAY ACTING. Play acting is not a part of the Brownie Pack—it is the Brownie Pack. It is the natural instinct of a child, and is excellent for self-ex-pression and developing team work, initiative, memory, and artistic ability. The idea in play acting is to entertain and educate, and in conjunction with its sister art, group singing, promotes the happy family spirit. The types of acting which concern ns are:— 1. Acting as story is told. 2. Story acted by Brownie, without words. 3. Dressing up, with words, etc. The first is a delightful method. It calls for speed and initiative, and Brownies love it. The second also endears itself to the Brownies, and is an excellent way for developing self-con-trol and of keeping everyone’s wits alert. The third has immense possibilities. You will be surprised how ingenious Brownies can be in the matter of dressing, scenery, etc. Brownie ceremonies and exercises are all elementary play-acting. It stands to reason that Brown Owl must not be self-conscious about this great game and must encourage spontaneity. Don’t indulge in much play acting at displays, but when it is part of the programme it should be short and preferably in dumb show. Play acting offers to the Brown Owl a constant source of entertainment and fun for her pack. Entertainment because there is such a variety—fun, because of such little incidents as the child who, earnestly playing in Ali Baba, walked up to the famous cave and said, “ Open! Sez me,”-