Girl Guide Noise

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 111, 13 May 1939, Page 13

Girl Guide Noise

PREPARING FOR CENTENARY For a considerable time there has been much activity in the Guide world in New Zealand, in preparation for the International Guide Camp which ie to be held in connection with the Centennial celebrations, on the property of the Wairarapa Racing Club at Tauherenikau, from January 16 to 26, 1040. The general public is usually not aware of the tremendous amount of organisation necessary to carry through such an undertaking, and from time to time the question arises: Why are the Guides not doing something to attract the attention of the young people in the Dominions and countries overseas? Criticism has also been levelled at the Guides for not taking an active part in the Centennial celebrations in New Zealand. The answer is that the Guides are holding this international camp, and that for a long time past work has been iu progress for the preparation of this camp. The original ideu, conceived more than eighteen months ago, was that it should be held on a site typical of the rich beauty of New Zealand, a site which will be remembered by the many visitors as well as the Dominion Guides as belonging peculiarly to this country. With this end in view, many beautiful sites have been inspected. In Taumarunui, the Major and councillors generously placed the old racecourse and reserve at the disposal of the Guides. In Hawke’s Bay, Marton and the Akatarawa Valley much time was devoted to exploring the countryside in search of the ideal spot. Unfortunately, the ideal spot (from the aesthetic point of view) does not always meet with the practical point of View, the main features of which are a pure water supply, shelter, and the right kind of soil for drainage in case of flooding by rain, and drainage for sanitation purposes. However, the search for a site came to an end when the Wairarapa Racing Club gave permission for the camp to be held on their premises. At Tauherenikau there is everything that a Guide camper could wish for. It is far from the crowd of the towns, and yet easy to get at. It is well known for its native bush, and fine old native trees. The open country is typical sheep-farming land, while the distant hills and the river present a wide scene for tramping and exploring. Here in these lovely surroundings, the Guides will pitch their tents for the Centennial camp in 1940. One of the chief features of organisation is the supply of camp equipment, which is not always readily available in New Zealand. Ordcri have often to be sent abroad, and these are not always promptly filled But the work of equipping the camp has been going ahead for many months and all will be ready when the great day comes. The food supply is another specialised branch. This is in the hands of the quartermasters and their assistants. Invitations have been issued to all those countries belonging to the World Association. From Australia, many beyond the two official visitors will be present. These visitors intend to make their own arrangements as the camp is limited to 600. Sweden, Denmark and Norway hope to send a representative, but are not yet quite certain. Hungary, Suomi-Finland and Lithuania fear that they will be unable to accept the invitation owing to the distance and huge expenses of tne journey. Canada, United States, and Great Britain will each send two Guides, if possible. Replies from Czechoslovakia and other countries have not yet been received. New Zealand Guides attending camp will require the following qualifications. A Guide must be 12 years of age, or over, by January 1, 1940. Shs must be a second-class Guide and must have camped under canvas in a Guide camp. A Ranger must be an enrolled Ranger, or in the case of Guides joining a Ranger company after June, 1939, must hold the Guide second-class, and must have camped under canvas at a Guide or Ranger camp for at least a week, or two week-ends, since January, 1938, and be recommended by the camp commandant. Everyone attending the camp, including visitors and staff, will pay the camp fee. As the camp is primarily for Guides, it is regretted that no Commissioners or Gniders other than those required to staff the camp will be able to attend. Her Excellency, Viscountess Galway, hopes to spend a night in camp, and, in the absence of the Governor-Gen-eral, will take the salute at the march past. SKTLLTEST WINNER This week’s skilltest winner is Daphne Small, Feilding. Following were the answers:—Trend, Tadio, Edits, Nitre, doses. B, All, avail, blanket, liken, Lcn, T.

} THE POET’S CORNER In this corner each week I hope to re-print one of the great poems of the English language and these you might like to gather in a scrape book. “TO AUTUMN’» •Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eavcs run; To bend with apples the mossed cottage trees, And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core; To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells With a sweet kernel; to set budding more, And still more, later flowers for the bees, Until they think warm days will never cease, For summer has o’er-brimmed their charming cells. Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store? ►Sometimes who ever seeks abroad may find Thee sitting careless on a granary, floor, Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind; Or on a half-reaped furrow sound asleep, Drowsed with the fume of poppies, while thy hook {Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers; And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep Steady thy leaden head across a brook; Or by a cyder-press with patent look, Thou watchcst the last oozings bows by- hours. Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they Think not of them, thou hast thy music, too— While barred clouds bloom the soft dying day, And touch the stubble plains with rosy hue; l Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn Among the river sallows, borne aloft, Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies; And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn; Hedge crickets sing; and now with treble soft The red-breast whistles from a. garden croft; And gathering swallows twitter in the skies. * John Keats. Woodville. Dear Hub, —Last Sunday being a glorious day my father took us out mushrooming. Wc gathered a large boxful and had great fun. I like reading “Nelson’s Budget” for girls and the “Anne” books. I have read the “Emily” books and I also like reading Girl Guide stories. In the mornings of the holidays I do odd jobs for my mother and in the afternoons I go out with iny chums. We go out riding on our bicycle and sometimes in the holidays we bike down to Pahiatua. It is a terrible windy day to-day, it has been overcast and very dull. I have nearly finished knitting a jumper for myself. “Sncr.v White and the Seven Dwarf’s” picture is coming at the end of the month. I cannot think of anymore news to tell you so I must close. Snow White. Quite a budget of news Snow White. It is fun to go out mushrooming, isn’t it? Keep up your reading my dear, you will find more and more to treasure as you grow older. You seem to be having a very nice holiday. Marton. Dear Hub, —Next week I am going to Feilding. I suppose I had better be getting up soon. I have written two letters this morning. I have not much news for this week. I think I had better say good-bye. Daffodil. I very tiny letter, Daffodil, but we like to be remembered. I hope you enjoy your visit to Feilding. Rongotea. Dear Hub, —I have been busy writing letters. Forget-me-not has not written for a long time, has she On the 14th it is Mothers’ day. I will send you a piece of poetry called “The Dutchman and His Daughter.” I have no more news for this week so I will close. Primrose. Thank you for the poem my dear, did you write it yourself? Oh where; oh where has Forget-me-not gone? Oh where! oh where can she be? An American and an Englishman were arguing who lived in the hottest countries. The American said, “In America the sun scorches the flies’ wings as tney crawl up the windows.” “That’s nothing,” said the Englishman. “Wo have to feed our chickens *on ice cream in the summer to stop them laying hard-boiled eggs.”