GIRL GUIDE NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21774, 13 October 1932, Page 15

GIRL GUIDE NOTES

By Guioer,

There was a good show of blue uniforms at the Scout rally on Saturday, and we are sure all present enjoyed themselves. The sight of Scout pioneer work makes one long to tackle something of the kind. They certainly make their work strong, as was evidenced by the number of Scouts who stood on one cf the bridges. TREE PLANTING. ■ The weather was not kind to us on Monday night, but at any rate it was definite. We are told that the rain would improve the condition of the ground to receive the trees, so, perhaps, they will grow all the better for having to wait. It has been decided to do the work on Saturday next at the same hour as was planned for Monday, 5 o’clock. Bring some ten. a piece of wood for the fire, and a good voice for singing. Evidently the tune “ Bonnie Dundee ” is not as well known as we should have thought in a Scottish community, so we shall use “John Peel” instead. Perhaps, as it is Saturday night, we shall be able to stay a little later than half-past 7, but it will not be very late. DIVISIONAL COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Dunedin Divisional Committee was held in the Guide rooms on Monday afternoon. There were present: Miss Barron (in the chair), Mesdames Wilson (St. Andrew’s), Duke (Musselburgh), Sim (Caversham), Kirkwood (Anderson’s Bay), Haymes (4th Dunedin). Elliot (Portli-East Valley), Miss Stevenson (Knox). The secretary (Miss Barron) thanked committee members tor the excellent work done at the rally in connection with the afternoon tea. Jfuture arrangements for such occasions were discussed, and it was decided, now that the Divisional Committee was to handle rally funds, that companies within the division be assisted if necessary in the payment of expenses incurred. It was also decided that £lO from rally profits be handed to the provincial treasurer, l aiticipation in the Brownie revels was discussed, and arrangements dealt with. There will be no further meeting of com--mittee until next year. BROWN OWLS’ MEETING. The ’monthly meeting of Brown and Tawnv Owls was held in the clubrooms on October 3, Miss Taylor (Laughing Owl) in the chair. It was arranged that the revels should be held on Saturday—two weeks sooner than was previously arranged. It was decided that Brown Owls should choose three Brownies from their pack for each race with the exception of the straight-out running race, when the whole packs would enter. Each company committee would provide the food for their respective packs, and Brown Owls were advised to get in touch with their committees as soon as possible. With regard to the play, the chosen Brownies were to start to rehearse on Friday at the rooms. The rest of the evening was spent in learning the singing games for the revels. TE PUKE COMPANY. The Oamaru F, Te Puke Company, was formed in May, 1920, at the same time as the other six Oamaru companies. The Guiders, who were enrolled, by Lady Marjorie Dalrymple, were Miss Murray (captain) and Miss Bond (lieutenant). In 1927 Miss Murray left on a trip Home, Miss Bond carrying on as acting-captain. In 1928 Miss Tempero joined as lieutenant. During this time the- company meetings were held in St. Luke’s Hull. Later in the year, Miss Bond left to be married, Miss Tempero remaining as captain. In 1929 the Guides of Oamaru were given the use of a room by the Waitaki High Schools’ Board, and it was here that the company then began to hold its meetings, and has done so ever since. About this time some of the Oamaru companies were rearranged, Te Puke joining with Oamaru, the company still being called Te Puke. Miss Sievwright (lieutenant in the old Awamoa Company) then joined Te Puke as lieutenant. Later, Miss Clarice Herron joined from the Oamaru Rangers, In this year, too, Te Puke were the first holders of the Returned Soldiers’ Association Clip awarded to the best all-round company in North Otago, This they held during the succeeding year-, but lost to Ist Waitaki in 1931. In June, 1931, Miss Sievwright left to take over the Ist Hill Company, and Miss Herron became the only lieutenant. Later in the year the_ company entered a team for the Phyllis Cheesemun Cup competition, in which they were placed second. This year the team were fortunate in winning the above competition, and represented Otago in the Jellicoe Shield competition. At present there arc 37 Guides and three recruits. Further histories are held up until all captains send in their own, otherwise the series will be out of order. THE KNOT IN -FOLK CUSTOM. We know-how helpful it is to be able to tie knots correctly and securely, but how many of us are aware that knots were deemed of magical virtue. The belief in the power of a. knot, either for good or evil, existed for centuries among the primitive people of the world, and today some peasants in Europe and the East still cling trustingly to its efficacy against bad spirits. Listen to the advice given by an ancient Hindu, and regret the progress of civilisation which robs us of such simple confidence! “Tie a knot in the skirts of your garments,” gays the venerable Easterner. “ when you travel down a dangerous road; it will protect you against robbers and misfortunes.” Who would think that a knot was a preventive for indigestion? But in South Africa the Zulu hunter ties a knot in the tail of the animal he has killed, fancying, because of the knotted tail, that the meat when eaten will not give him a stomach ache. In some villages in Russia, the net,, on account of its many knots, was considered a special security against mischief and disaster, so on her wedding day the young bride was joyfully dressed under the meshes of a net to make sure that her married life would begin happily. Near Beirut, in the socalled Cave of St. George, the writer has seen hundreds of tiny stones tied with old rags, faded coloured ribbons and bits of string. These odds and ends of household cloths, an old Syrian said, were the prayers of the Moslem and Christian mothers who still trusted in the power of the knot and in the good heart of the brave saint who killed the dragon.

Why should the knot hold such significance? One answer is that the knot is an impediment, so the simple minds of half-civilised people clothed it with the element of power. Thus, in the ages when avenging demons were believed to exist everywhere, the knot acted as an impediment to their wicked deeds. —From the American Girl Scout Leader. BADGE NOTICES. The number of Guides wishing to take nurse lectures is at present not Bumcient to warrant our asking anyone to give them. If there are any girls who have not given in their names, they should make arrangements immediately, so that a class can be arranged. The lectures will last not more than five or six weeks, and type-written sheets will be.given out. Needlewoman’s badge: All entries are to be left at the Guide rooms on or before Saturday. October 23. Sick nurse badge: This will be held in the Guide rooms, not the St. John Ambulance, ns previously announced, on Thursday, October 20, at 7 p.m.