GIRL GUIDES

Evening Star, Issue 23100, 28 October 1938, Page 16

GIRL GUIDES

ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Otago Girl Guides’ Association was held in 'Wilson Hall yesterday afternoon, the Provincial Commissioner (Miss V. M. Barron) being in the chair. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report stated: — —Provincial. — During the year three new district commissioners were appointed—Mrs W. 1,. Colvin, Miss M. Mumfoid (Dunedin), Miss R. Anderson (Stirling)— and Mrs G. Russell (Dunedin) resigned. The prov. secretary (Miss R. E. Anderson) resigned, and 3lrs J. L. Anderson was appointed to the position. Three new companies have been formed, one at Omakau, one at Clinton, and one in the North Dunedin district, while Queenstown is temporarily disbanded. Activity in Guide companies is vigorous, but Brownie and Ranger work is weak, a position which is not peculiar to Otago. Packs require as leaders people who can give time during the day, and such girls seem difficult to find. At the commissioners’ conference it was decided that the Dominion ■would change the colour of Guide uniform to the new headquarters blue, which has already been adopted for Guiders. It will ’ncessarily be some years before the change-over is complete, but recruits are advised to use the new shade. Guiders are strongly recommended to wear overalls of this colour rather than go to the unnecessary expense of tailored serge uniforms. Three warranted captains who moved from Otago during the year are engaged in activ'e Guiding again in other provinces. Training.—This has been a notable year for training. Miss A. M. Knight, a diplomaed Guider from England, was specially invited by Dominion headquarters to spend some months in New Zealand, and .in _ June conducted a week’s Guide training and a week-end Browhie training in Dunedin. Guiders attended from all parts of the province, and Guiding in general has greatly benefited. Two Guide captains and one Brown Owl later intended an advanced training under. Miss Knight at Masterton. Five commissioners attended a commissioners’ training in Timaru conducted by Miss Knight and Miss Herrick. In December Guides throughout the Dominion held campfires, to which they brought as gifts Red Cross equipment to be sent away for Far East relief. Otago Guides had their share in this, and at least £SOO worth of goods -was collected throughout New Zealand. In June another of national service was_ undertaken, when Guides and Brownies were asked, to organise efforts of various kinds to raise money for a Truby King memorial, the money being handed to the Plunket headquarters as acknowledgment of. much help in the past. Not every company and pack in Otago responded, but the result achieved by those who did was very good—namely, £l7 13s 3d. The thinking day gift of pennies, which goes to _ the world bureau, is to be used this year for the equipment of a Guide world hostel in London. The sum of £2 10s 3d was collected for this fund.

Camping.—The leasing of Dirriemoro has meant a big increase < in camping for Dunedin Guides. During the year 173 Guides and Guiders spent longer or shorter periods there, 68 under canvas, then, when the season became advanced, 105 at various week-ends in the shelter of the house. Camping in other parts of Otago has included 109 Guides under canvas, while Dangers held six week-ends at Whare Flat, partly indoor, partly in tents, according to the weather. In every case, whether under canvas or roof shelter, the routine was that of a camp, and every possible moment, except the hours of darkness, was passed out-of-doors. The executive considered it well worth while to renew the lease of Dirriemore when it fell due in August. At Easter time four Otago Rangers from North Dunedin (Knox) Company attended the Ranger camp and conference at Waikanae (Wellington). At the end of January a camp for testing and training for campers’ license, held at the Guide camp site, “ Inveresk,” Canterbury, was attended by eight Guiders from Otago. Two gained licenses, two permits, and one passed quarter-master test. Another Guider. won her license at a testing camp in Wellington in October. There has been added to the provincial equipment two tents and two sets of modern wash cubicles, and it is planned to make further additions in view of the centennial camp in 1940. Altogether it has been a year of advance in camping. —Divisional.— Dunedin.—The division has now its full quota of commissioners. On Anzac Day a wreath was laid at the Cenotaph by the provincial commissioner, who also spoke in the evening at a very impressive service. The divisional sports were very successful this year, Derriemore proving an ideal sports ground. The cup was won by Anderson’s Bay Company. The swimming sports were held early in the year; all events were eagerly contested, St. Andrew’s Company winning the cup. Brownie revels were held in the three districts, the ‘ Alice in Wonderland ’ revels being unusually successful. The Astronomical Society invited _ Dunedin Guides and Guiders to an evening meeting, when a working model of the planitarium proved most interesting. South Otago.—The outstanding event of the year as far as South Otago is concerned was the Guide field day, held at Stirling in March. There were 70 Guides present, including several Lones. also the provincial commissioner and two Lone captains. In May a new company was formed at Clinton, where there has always been a number of Lones. Although Stirling Company has lapsed owing to the lack of girls of Guide age, a Brownie pack has been formed, with the Guide lieutenant as Brown Owl. Milton Hanger Company almost fell through, but an ex-Guide captain and former Ranger came forward in August and is carrying on. The divisional cup tfas not competed for this year. Companies forwarded first aid equipment to the St. John Ambulance Association for use in China, and subscribed to the Truby King memorial. North Otago.—The division records with deep regret the death of Mrs E. p. Lee, who was associated with the Guide movement for a long period. This year the intercompany swimming sports were inaugurated in Oamaru, the cup presented by Mrs J. Meikle being won by Te Puke Company. The cup for the best all-round company was also won by Te Puke. A large number of ex-Guiders gathered together at a tea arranged on May 7, during the jubilee celebrations of the Waitaki Girls’ High School. The division commissioner and members of the local executive were among the guests present, and a very enjoyable hour was spent. Central Otago. There is still a shortage of commissioners, and Guiders are working under difficulties. Five Guiders attended Miss Knight’s truiu-

ings, a very good proportion. Cromwell and Naseby Guides enjoyed a camp at Wanaka in January, with Miss Elmslie as commandant. The provincial commissioner has visited all companies during the year. . The thanks of the province are due to Dominion headquarters for arranging for Miss Knight’s trainings. The trainer chosen was eminently suited, both by her expert knowledge and her personality, to fit into Guide life in New Zealand, and wo appreciate the wisdom of those who selected her. In moving the adoption of the annua! report and balance sheet, Mr W. K. Cameron said that congratulations must be offered to the provincial commissioner and her officers on the satisfactory nature of the year’s work. Although the ranks of the Guides had decreased a little during the year, advancement had been made in other directions. Thanks were due to the Dominion Executive for bringing from England to New Zealand an experienced Guider, Miss A. M. Knight. The acquisition of a camping spot in Otago had met with appreciation from Guides. Altogether, activities had been well maintained. The report and balance sheet were adopted. OFFICE-BEARERS. The following office-bearers were elected: —President, Mrs T. K. S. Sidey; vice-presidents, Mesdames A. Barnett, W. H. Borrie, R. Sloan Brown, E. I. Halsted, T. C. Ross, J. Sutherland Ross, J. M. Stevenson. Misses F. M. Allan. D. G. (Blackmore, M. Reynolds, and F. J. Ross; executive—Mesdames W. K. Cameron, A. Buchanan, C. M. Focken, J. Gray, P. Milne. H. K. Wilkinson, Misses J. Hay, and A. Stevenson. Mrs J. Sutherland Ross gave a short talk on the Guide movement in England, and conveyed greetings from the Devonshire Guides to those in Otago. UTILISING LEISURE. In the course of a brief address, the Rev. C. M. Sullivan said that at the present lime there was often difficulty in utilising spare time, but Guide work was one way in which it could bo used to advantage. It gave the young people the opportunity and encourage" meat to indulge in open-air exercise and other occupations. He suggested that perhaps the executive might find it possible to establish a permanent camp on the shores of Lake Wanaka. He also spoke of the physical benefits derived by those taking part in the Guide movement, and stressed the importance of mental and spiritual training among the young people.