“BE READY.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7446, 22 May 1911, Page 1

“BE READY.”

GIRL PEACE SCOUTS REWARDS FOR BRAVERY XX SAVING LIFE.'’ Mho motto of the Girl Peace Scouts, " Bo Ready," was acted upon with such promptitude recently by two members of the Wellington section (which takes in the suburbs as .well) that the executive considered the courage shown merited recognition. On Saturday afternoon, in the Concert Chamber of tho Town Hall, tho Acting Minister of Defence, Hon. G. Fowlds, presented medals to Irene Simons and Daisy Weaver, both of tho Petono troop, the ceremony being attended by many Girl Scouts and sympathisers of the movement. Mrs Wilford (Mayoress) occupied tho chair. Mrs A. E. Quick, acting president, outlined tho history of tho scheme from information furnished by , Limit.-Colonel Cossgrovo, V.D., Dominion Chief Scout, Carisiohurch. Tho Girl Peace Scout movement, it was explained, was distinctly a New Zealand; scheme, being drafted by him long before the Engtisn Bciieme was in operation. - There nad been registeicd by turn over IkWJ girls in the nonunion, whue there were great numbers now in Tasmania, South Australia, America and in japan, wuo had joined, tno INew Zealand movement in, preference to the English one. (In New" Zealand 110 .scoutniiatresses and other olncers had been registered, though there were many whose names had not been sent in. He had . not the sugnfest hesitation in saying that the movement nad been a great success here as well as in other countries where it had been tried. Tho reports ho received from' all paits were most encouraging, and everywhere mothers added their testimony to the great improvement which the training appeared to make in their daughiers' dispositions, not only among their companions, but at home among their brothers and sisters. 'They learned so many useful. things, and- appeared so willing to apply tUeir knowledge, and were so anxious to help that the opposition of tho ignorant was: fast disappearing. New troops had- been formed at Devouport, -Eemuera. -Ghinewai,- Stratford, Northcote. East Oxford and Kaiapoi during the past tiro months, and troops were waiting to' bo enrolled at Christchurch, Ashburton and View Hill. Mrs Quick acknowledged the services rendered by Miss Skeily, the organising secretary; by Dr. Platts-Mills (first aid classes), Mr and Mrs Garlick (physical exercise classes), Mr. Harcourt (in placing a meeting room at the disposal of the girls), and others who were assisting the movement. COURAGE AMONGST GIRLS. Miss Richmond spoke,of..the objects of tho organisation and the need there Was of courage amongst girls.’ She emphasised the value of acting together and tho necessity of cultivating habits of obedience and discipline. The-whole scout movement was another sign of the times. These signs ' did not mean that they wanted war, but -that they wanted to keep the peace, and to hold it fast. To become a strong nation they must learn the habit of-acting together, • and to have the women physically and morally strong as well as the men. To be cheerful, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kindly, obedient and- thrifty—these wore the ideals of the promoters of the movement, which she wished every success. (Applause.) ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S EXAMPLE. The Hon. G. Fowlds, in making the presentations, said the day had gone by when any sensible people ridiculed tho Girl Peace Scout movement. -He did not think there was* any doubt at all that it was exercising a very wholesome influence on , tho young women who ‘came under its control. The motto which they had adopted in Now Zealand, “Be Ready,’,’ was an excellent ozie. - It reminded\him of a picture which, if he could lay hie hands upon it, lip Would present to tho corps. It an American! boy lying on the floor of a :abin, with the only light in the room mining from a log fire. Ho was using a jhovel as a .slate, and with a piece of :halk was working out problems on the ihovel. Underneath tho picture it said, “I shall get ready now. My opportunity will come by and by." The name of that boy was Abraham Lincoln. (Appraise.) Now, if the girls engaged in this-movement would, only make use of the opportunities of the) present in getting ready for the work of life later on, then, whatever the'-circumstances into which they were called/they would bo able to discharge their duties with advantage to all around’-them. Though they might not eventually hold such an exalted position as Abraham Lincoln, whatever tho position everyone was called upon to fill, it was important they should fill that position well. He had much pleasure in presenting the two gilt medals to the recipients, with a certificate from the Chief Scout, expressing appreciation of the bravery shown by the girls. Hearty cheers were given for Irene Simons and Daisy Weaver as the Minister decorated them with the medals. PROMPT ACTION.Dr. Platts-Mills explained how the medals had been earned. On April 23nd last Irene Simons swam- out from the Potono beach and rescued a little boy who was being fast carried out to sea in a punt. ■ When she reached the punt she pushed it' inshore with all her strength. Daisy Weaver’s; baby brother was following her from the railway station- She missed him. and on locking around saw him lying q’n_ tho railway line, with his ear to the fails, calling to his sister to hear the noise an incoming train was making on the rails. She had only just time to rush -over and snatch her little brother from liis dangerous position before the train passed. Bystanders had told the executive of these actions, and not the girls themselves. If, as a result of their association with the Girl Pence Scout movement its members became fine women, citizens, wives and mothers, then the promoters would not be disappointed. She moved a hearty vote of thunks to the Minister for his presence. (Applause.) On the motion of Mrs Luke similar compliments were paid to Miss Richmond, and, on the motion of Mrs T. G. Macarthy, to Mrs Wilford for presiding.