GIRL GUIDE NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22723, 8 November 1935, Page 14

GIRL GUIDE NOTES

By Guideb.

NOTICES. Commissioners’ warrants are now due for endorsement. They should be brought to conference for this purpose, or forwarded to Miss Hay this mouth. An invitation has been received for Guidcrs to attend the Armistice Day service in St. Paul’s Cathedral. Those wishing to be present are asked to send in their names to Miss Blackmore by 10 a.m. on Saturday, so that notification may be given of the number of seats to be reserved. The provincial commissioner will during the next fortnight be visiting companies in South and Central Otago. PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the Provincial Executive of the Otago Girl Guido Association was held in the Guide rooms on October 31. Those present were: Miss Barron (in the chair), Mesdames K. Cameron, W. H. Borrie, P. Milne, J. Gray (South Otago), Misses Blackmore, A. Stevenson, Anderson and the secretary. After dealing with a report of Miss Herrick’s visit, the main item of business concerned the renewal or otherwise of the lease of the Guide rooms. These rooms have proved most convenient and comfortable in every way, and on several occasions it has been possible to hold important Guide functions in them, such as commissioners’ conference, visits from the Chief Guide and the chief commissioner, and annual meetings. The point has recently- been raised, however, as to. whether, considering our annual revenue, we are justified in spending a large amount of money on comfort and convenience, and so have less left over to spend on Guiding, The matter was looked at from all points of view, especially from the provincial standpoint, as to whether Dunedin itself had the right to such a proportion of benefit. Miss Blackmore reported on the Dunedin Guiders’ attitude in the matter, which she had ascertained in consultation -with local district commissioners. While regretting having to do away wtih a convenient club room, to which Guiders had in the last two years become accustomed, the following resolution was passed:— “ In- view of the amount of its animal revenue, the executive considers the rental for the Guide rooms unjustifiable, as money raised throughout the province should rather be spent in the furtherance of Guiding throughout the province.” The following Embroideress Badges have been won:—

Bth Company, N. Fuller; 9th Company, L. Ferguson; 11th Company—N. Reid, M. Wenhorn, B. Haynes, M. Beck, P, de Latour; 16th Company, A. Eccles,. J. M'Millan; 16th Company—M. Jameson, D. Bolton, P. Hayraan; K. Tibbis, I. Clancey, R. Devennie, M. Wilson, N. Stevens, B. Madigan; Knox Rangers, D. Pritchard, R. Kennedy. ■ THE PERFECT GUIDE. Headquarters is often asked for particulars of how the Guide uniform should be worn, and we.have decided to publish a description of that rare and precious jewel—the perfect Guide, She was not easy to find, but'at last we have discovered her. The name tape should exactly cover the juncture of the shoulder knot and shoulder strap, and from beneath the name tape, in the exact centre of the arm, hangs the shoulder knot. Exactly below this, but low enough to leave a clear space between it and the shoulder knot, is the First Class Badge. It is important that the First Class Badge should not be covered by the shoulder knot, but should stand, an emblem of achievement, alone. As everyone knows, into the centre of the First Class Badge is sewn the Second Class. Below these and just above the elbow, come ambulance, and sick nurse, forming a triangle with the first class, and under them, making the fourth point of the diamond, just below the elbow, is child nurse. This is the arm which apparently causes the most trouble, judging from the inquiries we receive. The next question, in order of popularity, is: “ VVhat is the correct breadth and length of a Guide’s tie?”—The length of the tie varies in accordance with the length of the Guide, but there should he a space of three inches between the end of the tie and the belt buckle. The belt buckle should be, by the way, in a central position, not, as is often seen, pulled to one side because the belt has been shortened to suit the size of the wearer. To return to the tie, the width should be two and a-half inches, and on it, once again in a central position, is worn the Tenderfoot Badge. The lanyard, in the case of patrol leaders and seconds, is worn under the collar and above .the tie, and attached to the whistle, which is fastened to the right hand swivel of the belt. TJhe compass is also worn on this swivel and the knife on the left one. Swivels when not in use should be clipped up neatly on to the belt ring. A quarter of an inch above the centre of the left pocket is the patrol emblem, and on the flap of this pocket are the service stars. The patrol leader’s stripes, half an inch wide and one inch apart are also on this pocket, the second’s stripe being worn in the centre of the pocket. All round cords are worn round the right shoulder and through the flap of the right pocket, the tassel hanging over the pocket. ’ The patrol leader’s Tenderfoot should be worn pinned to the hat ribbon in the centre of the front of the hat. If a G.G. hat badge is worn, it should occupy this position, and the patrol leader’s badge should be placed immediately above. These are the correct positions for the various parts of the uniform. It is unnecessary to add that the actual putting on of the‘uniform goes far to make the perfect Guide. Not all can be first class, but all can wear the uniform correctly, overall, belt, and tie pulled straight, hat brushed and at the correct angle, and pockets free from those distressingly large and bulky handkerchiefs which bring grief to the heart of most captains. “LIVE DANGEROUSLY.” “ Live dangerously ” was at one time the motto of the English suffragettes. One could not approve of all the methods they employed to gain their purpose, but surely one must approve of the thought which underlies the motto “Accomplish your object without fear,” ■ Live dangerously, be always prepared, do not allow cowardliness to decide your line of action. If you believe in anything or anyone, do not be afraid to say so. Remember that you can carry to victory that which your better self hopes for, just as surely as faith owns the power to build up and that doubt disintegrates. But, if you live so, you will soon find that you live dangerously. The lukewarm who do not wish to be disturbed in their placid indifference, the shrewd who fear to offend those in power, they will become your enemies. Remember that it is the quality and ideal of the soul, as it shows, itself in deed that decides the fate of a generation. Keep the sword of your spirit ever sharp and shining. Rise to the call of life, suffer bravely, live dangerously. Only then have you lived.— From the Guiding Book. PRESERVING A WILD FLOWER. Some years ago the State flower of Texas, the blue bonnet (a kind of lupfn) was in danger of extermination. The Girl Scouts of San Antonia, Texas, determined to work for its conservation. During the whole of one spring and early summer they gathered the seed wherever they could find the plants

growing. : Instead of baskets, they threw the seed-pods into inverted umbrellas, which, though awkward things to carry upside down, make most convenient receptacles for such an occasion. After this came the delicate operation of separating the seeds from their pods; this was done by the Girl Scout troops at their weekly meetings. The seeds were sealed in envelopes and widely distributed. The Girl Scouts not only gave away thousands of packages, but sold 2000 dollars worth for the profit of their funds. Owing to their work and the interest aroused by it, the beautiful flower is once more plentiful in Texas.