Girl Guides’ Association Enters Another Year

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 270, 2 November 1940, Page 5

Girl Guides’ Association Enters Another Year

GRATIFYING INCREASE IN NUMBERS

The annual meeting of th« Palmerston North Girls Guide Association was held at the Jade tea rooms yesterday, Mrs. F. J. Nathan presiding over a good attendance. Associated with her were Mrs. G. A. Eliott (district commission or) and Miss M. Warren (hon. secre* tary). There were apologies from Mesdaines J. A. Nash, J. H. Whyte and Misses R. Jensen and C. Warburton. The commissioner’s report stated:— “The number of guides in the district has increased slightly. We now have 350 against 300 of last year. This includes two guide companies and one brownie pack which have been formed during tho year. There have been changes in tho personnel of guiders. Mis 3 Isabel Stuart, captain of the Takaro Company, -was transferred to Dunedin. She was also: leader of the Rangers and her absence was felt immediately. Miss Sylvia Spear, an ex-,guide who recently returned from teachers ’ training college, and Miss Beryl Barkwith have taken over the company. The Rangers are still carrying on and wc hope to have a captain for them after the school holidays. Our district captain, Miss Rita Jensen, left St. Paul’s Company to be run by the lieutenant, Miss Joyce Stevens (now Mrs. Coss) and started a new company at • St. Andrews. Miss Beatrice Hicken, assisted by Miss Beverley Stevens, started a company at St. Peter's, Terrace End. She worked with St. Paul '3 for some time where Beverley was company lead or and a first class guide. Feilding Company was on the point of being closed down through lack of a guider who could give sufficient time to it, when we were lucky enough to get the help of Miss Dora Wild. It is now progressing very favourably. Other new guiders are Miss Lorraine Bowden with Ist Company, Miss Peggie Robertson and Mis 3 Ruth Mitchell with Hokowhitu Brownies, Miss Lillian Lyall and Miss Barbara Heath to Takaro Brownies. Mrs. Wallace Cook, who was a Brown Owl some years ago but resigned, now returned and is helping with the Ist Brownie Pack.

When war. broke out we were eager to do what we could’ 1 in patriotic - efforts. Clothes were made for the Refugee Appeal and a large box of attractive new garments sent to headquarters in Hastings. Then came the appeal for fund 3 for an air ambulance to be presented to the R.A.F. by the Guides of the Empire. We did our bit by collecting about £ls in this district. From the Dominion £BOO sterling was sent. As so many demands are maae on purse 3 nowadays, we are trying to be entirely selfsupporting. Our fund for usual expenses stands at £2l. Without the help of many people not enrolled with the guide movement we could not carry on. We offer, our sincere thanks to those who act as examiners, as judges at our sports, and who help us in any way whatever. As Commissioner of the Manawatu district I should like to offer special thanks to the executive committee who give their help so willingly and advise so wisely whenever I call upon them in my difficulties, and to guiders who give of their best and on whom I can, upon all occasions, depend. Reports of company activities were presented by Mrs. Coss (St. Paul's), Miss S. Spear (Takaro), and Mrs. Eliott read reports from St. Paul’s Brownie Pack and Rongotea Company. Election of Officers. Officers were elected for the ensuing year as follow: President, Mrs. F. J. Nathan; vice-presidents, Mesdaines J. A. Nash, T. Hewitt, A. E. Mansford, L. Bale, I. Wilson, I. Brougham, D. Mitchell, S. Rapley, Miss S. Bett; executive, Mesdames J. H. Whyte, H. Findlay Wilson, J. M. Roberts, F. Bennett, J. Body, A. Stewart, N. Ratcliff, J. Kennedy, C. Jenson, L Malcolm, Misses D» Fitz Herbert, M. Grant, C. Warburton anad M. Warren. Mis 3 Margaret Poole spoke briefly on post guiding, the work of which is given on paper, and gave an interesting insight to the work carried out among children in London hospitals, particularly among biind children, who were most appreciative. Miss Poole also spoke of a conference she had attended in Regent’s Park (London) where tho problems concerning the crippled and blind children were discussed. She stresssed the fact that results were always obtained from post guiding because the children had so little else. Craft work particularly appealed to them and this was a means to an end in helping them to make a little money for themselves. Thanks were conveyed to Mesdames Nathan and Eliott, also to Misses Poole and Warren. Committee Meeting. Prior to the annual meeting a committee meeting was held Mrs. Eliott presiding, also present being Mesdames N. Ratcliffe, F. Bennett, J. L. C. Merton, J. Body, J. M. Kouerts, S. Cooper, H. Findlay Wilson, Aiken, L. McNabb, C. Jensen, J. Kennedy, Mi3ses D. FitzHerbert, M. Grant and M. Warren (hon. secretary).

The commissioner reported having visited St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s companies for enrolments and had found both proceeding well.. Miss Warren presented a report of the annual provincial meeting held in Wellington recently where most of the discussions concerned financial matters. The associations would each have the privilege of receiving £1 worth of wool for guide war work. The question of guides wearing socks instead of stockings had been considered and it wah agreed whatever tho decision of companies it must be unifqrm. Arrangements for the shield day competitions were finalised.