GIRL GUIDE WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19799, 21 November 1927, Page 6

GIRL GUIDE WORK

RALLY IN THE DOMAIN. A SPECTACULAR DISPLAY. MANY ACTIVITIES WITNESSED, PRESENTATION OF MEDALS. 0! those who witnessed the successful Girl Guides rally in the Domain on Saturday, there were many to whom tin strength of the movement and its widespread activities came as a surprise. Jt was a .revelation—looo Guides and 500 Brownies, representing Auckland awl suburbs, drawn up and marching and carrying out exercises in a most accom- ! plished way. Arranged in massed formation at the opening of the display, the Guides presented a most imposing spectacle. A large square of navy blue set in the ,i centre of the ground spoke of united strength. On one side were the Brownies drawn up in companies, and on the other , were the various company colours surrounded by the army's " impedimenta." The arrival of the Chief Commissioner for New Zealand, Mrs. W. E. Wilson, accompanied by other New Zealand officers, formed the occasion for a welcome staged by, the Wikitoria Company (Queen Victoria College Maori Girls). The girls chanted a Maori greeting, while the district commissioners took up a position on a dais in front of the stand. Advancing in a solid phalanx the Guides then approached the stand and, sitting down, formed a giant trefoil—the emblem of the Guides. Effectively carried out, the movement was greeted by rounds of applause. The breaking of the formation was a signal for the Guides to give way to their little sisters, the Brownies, who wished to greet the commissioner in Brownie fashion. For all the world like little brown elves, they | rushed into the arena, skipping and dane- ! ing with childish abandon, and waving coloured balloons. The sea of blue had I given way to a vision of brown, relieved by dashes of red and yellow and bloa. The whole culminated in the Brownies ! leaping in the air and throwing high their balloons. Impressive Grand March. Perhaps the most impressive event was the grand march past of the Guides, Cadets and Rangers. Company after company passed the stand with colours flying, the chief commissioner taking the salute. Coming to a halt in company formation, the whole stood at attention while a pleasing ceremony was performed. Two Guides, Kathleen Bentley and Joyce Morrison, of Birkdale, had shown their worth last February by saving a fellowGuide from drowning. The girl had beeD floating face downward in the water when she was rescued and was revived by methods carried out, according to' a doctor, with the skill of well-trained ambulance workers. For this splendid piece of life-saving, the girls were awarded medals of merit by the com misisoner. Another presentation followed, the " Cavell," Ist Auckland Company, re ceiving the Kohn Cup, the inter-provin cial trophy for general Guide work. The proceedings were enlivened by a rousing haka, given by boys from the St Stephen's College. Then, dropping the custom of their fathers, the boys came forward to give a display of physical exercises. The boys, all thickset, sturdy performers, formed three pyramid designs with the aid of horizontal bars. An exhibition of physical exercises which followed spoke volumes for the general ■ fitness of the youths and for the instruction given them. v A wealth of interest was provided in the pageant which was contributed to by the several Guide companies. Four teams competed in an overhead-ball game, and later two teams were formed of 24 girls apiece who held a relay competition. As this was nearing completion, two lines of girls attired in the dress-of the Greeks were to be seen advancing on to the field with stately step attuned to slow music from the band. Slowly the two files diverged, later converging until a circle was formed. At a given signal, certain of the number rushed outwards a short distance and hurled imaginery javelins far into the air.* Others from the circle then dashed out, picked up the missiles, and threw them back to their orginal positions. This was .kept up for a short period, the girls, while * proving no mean runners, yet showed that grace which characterised the movements of the Greeks. Variety o! Attractions. As the Greek maidens quitted the oval, King Arthur and his knights entered from the side. A pretty scene was staged. King Arthur held conclave with his faithful knights. Suddenly the group was rudely interrupted by a girl, who poured out a taio of distress. Her mistress had been attacked by the Black Knight—would the King send succour to one in sore distress ? Sir Lancelot was despatched to the scene A terrific hand-to-hand struggle and the infamous Black Knight was vanquished. Sir Lancelot bore the blushing maiden back to the Royal circle while the villain returned in the grip of two strong knights. Meanwhile other Guides were demonstrating just what to do in a case of sudden emergency. Some evil-doer exploded a bomb in a public place. Struck by the flying fragments, numbers fell all around. Quickly the uninjured rallied to the help of their less fortunate fellows and broken arms and shattered legs alike received attention. But the perpetrator of the outrage had not been forgotten. Of course, he had dashed off, fearful of the consequences, but he was soon caught and bound and brought back in custody. Robin Hood and his " merria men" in Lincoln green aud red, then issued from Sherwood Forest—the trees upon the hill opposite the stand An archery contest was held, every hit being greeted with applause. A demonstration of the method of pitching camp was given by other Guides, the quickly set-up encampment being inspected by the various com missioners. Old English dance 3 were featured by another company of Guides. The grand fiuale of the exhibition was a march past of Guides, headed by the " Ancient Greeks." The whole company, drawn up in a semi-circle then sang the Guide good-night song.