GIRL GUIDE DEMONSTRATION

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12195, 21 July 1925, Page 3

GIRL GUIDE DEMONSTRATION

LADY ALICE. FERGUSSON'S . INTEREST. “Come and show your interest,” was the public plea made by the people getting up the performance, and the result was that the Concert Hall was crammed and many of the Guides themselves had to sit cross-legged on the floor. When Her Excellency arrived she had a guard of honour of Rangere and Guiders and wets presented with a posy of flowers. On the platform with her were the Mayor and Mrs Norwood, Sir James and Lady Parr, Mrs Arthur Duncan (president of the Wellington Provincial Girl Guides), Mrs Herbert Kirkcaldie (president of the Wellington executive), Mrs Moncrieff (Provincial Commissioner for Nelson), Mrs Fry (District Commissioner for Wellington), Mrs Maurice Holland, the three latter being in uniform. The stage had an effective background in which the gold trefoil of the Girl Guides, with its. star, motto, "Be Prepared,” was flanked on one side with the Union Jack, and on the* other by the New Zealand flag draped with dark and bright blue, guide colours. In a few works His Worship introduo ed Her Excellency, who made a short speech, expressing her great admiration, for the movement and recommended) it strongly to the general public, and specially to parents, as it encouraged energy, the spirit of service, self-govern-ment and comradeship; - mothers - should welcome it. She urged that, more of the older girls should come forward as guide officers. "If there are any here thinking of doing-so, but shivering on the brink/' said Her Excellency, "I -should like to push them in! They would be.well rewarded. The sympathy, understanding and support would benefit not only the Guides, but their country and their Empire/' Mrs Moncrieff (Nelson) spoke fluently on the advantages of the movement. Public opinion in England, so adverse .at first* is now overwhelming in favour.' • Mrs Fry was very earnest and very convincing in her support. She rehearsed the Guide rules, explaining it was an unpardonable sin to break the first law—to bo trustworthy—and explained tho Guide ideals. Mrs Holland appealed for support, both moral and financial;, the latter need only cost bs a year. Sir Janies Parr gave tho Girl Guides the Government’s blessing, especially that of the Department, and, mentioned how his revered leader, the late Mi* Massey, had earmarked ,£IOOO for the Guide movement. He was plad to know how important home-keep-ing was considered—everyon4 had either to keep a home or live in one. v s Next" came an explanation of tho Guide uniform and badges by Miss Stewart, who had as an example Guide Alice Williams, who has .seven stars for , seven yeads service, an "all-round card,” war badge and a number of proficiency badges. r ' Next came a poster procession,, each designed by- Miss Toulson and Miss Stewart, representing some activity of the guides with its' distinguishing badge on a white shield. Then the sth Wellington Company ; sang a Guido song very sweetly, and there followed a demonstration of guide work, in Vhich one girl (6th Company) bathed a baby in approved Plunket methods, Ist Rangers attended a sick patient whose bright’ eyes and rosy cheeks may indicated a high temperature; and there was a domestic science squad busy. with the silver, darning stockings and cleaning the boots, the last girl wore brown paper aprons. Very picturesque was the closing scene by the Lower Hutt girls, who gave„ the camp fire ceremony; in which they in turn lighted tapers and recited the Guido laws.. . At the conclusion Mrs Herbert Kirkcaldie thanked Miss Toulson and Miss Stewart for their work and all those present for their interest. The Boy, Scouts gave much assistance in clearing the stage. Among the audience were Mesdames Kprott, Corliss, Miss Mac Lean, Dr. Ada Paterson, Miss Maitland, Mesdames Hursthouse, W. Reid, J. Rose, Gray, Brown, Birch (Marton), Hatfield, Harper, Miss Seaton arid'Lady Hunter. f