GIRL GUIDE NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22833, 18 March 1936, Page 15

GIRL GUIDE NOTES

By Guides.

TRAINING. In September of this year there will be both Guide and Brownie training in Dunedin, where Guiders will meet from the whole of the South Island. It is hoped to have an Eagle Owl from New South Wales for the Brownie training, while Miss Burgin and Miss M'Hardy will conduct the Guide week. It is hoped that as many Guiders as possible will plan to attend these trainings, for such a chance will not occur soon again. The arrangement of these training weeks precludes the possibility of Easter training. However, this will still be possible for Guiders just taking up the work. The Dunedin Cadet Rangers hope to have an indoor camp at St. Leonards at Easter, and would welcome anyone anxious to have a concentrated few days of training in Guide activities. Experienced Guiders should plan to attend the September training. Details of the Easter camp may be obtained from the provincial secretary. During anniversary week-end a hurriedly arranged camp will be held for those anxious to have experience in camping. Any wishing to attend must notify the provincial secretary not later than Thursday. It may be pointed out here that in future Guiders will not be accepted in company camps meiely in order to have their first experience of camping. This should be acquired apart from the Guides DUNEDIN CAPTAINS’ MEETING. The captains’ meeting was held in Wilson Hall on March 5. Miss Williams was in the chair, others present being Misses Burgess, M'Leod, Rae, Chrystall, D. Campbell, Young, Nevill, E. Wilson, H. Wilson, Ewing, Livingston, Curie, Patrick, M'Millan, E. Campbell, and Naumann. i Miss H. Wilson moved and Miss Patrick seconded that some of the proceeds from the swimming sports should go to the Guiders’ Fund. It is probable that this year another Ranger company will be formed in Dunedin. The Cadet Corps will now be in charge of Miss H. Wilson, and anyone desiring to join it should communicate with her. * In future all company levies are to be sent to the district commissioner. It was moved and seconded that regret be expressed at the resignation of Miss Elliott, captain of the North-East Vivlloy Company, and also that congratulations be extended on her appointment to a senior position at the Timaru library. At the close of the business groups discussed programmes for company meetings, including an indoor summer meeting, an outdoor summer meeting, an indoor winter meeting. The evening closed with the singing of Taps. LONE GUIDES ON THE AIR. Many and varied are the duties of a provincial commissioner when she goes “on tour.” From the commissioner we hear only of the progress of the game of Guiding throughout the province. From others comes word of the endless round of meetings involved —Ranger and Guide companies, Brownie packs, company committees, the forming of new companies, many informal talks, the con-, stant travelling, for it all has to be done in a given time. Lone Guides are not forgotten, and Lone captains are cheered by reports from their Lones of the doings of the provincial commissioner. From Miss Barron’s visit to Central Otago comes word of a memorable gathering held at the home of a Lone Ranger at Hawea Flat. Eleven Lones travelled many miles to meet the commissioner they knew only on paper. At least one Guide of 13 years of age rode nine miles on horseback. There was much joy for ttye Lones in meeting their provincial commissioner and in meeting one another, for such gatherings can be arranged only rarely. Miss Barron gave the Guides as much of a company meeting as she could in the afternoon. They knew about horseshoe formation; that day. they actually formed a horseshoe. They knew their knots; that day they learned fascinating ways of using them. They were familiar with Guide songs and the campfire idea; now they had a campfire as only Miss Barron can lead one. Who can estimate the value of such a gathering to the Lone Guide branch of the movement? Yet another day finds the commissioner near Queenstown. In the district there is a Lone Guide waiting to be enrolled. Word is sent to this 12-year-old girl, but not by telephone or car. for no car could ford the river at this time of year, and there is no telephone within miles. A message is left with an old man who lives by the roadside. on the off chance that someone may go past and take it up, A rider does pass, and though he had not intended to go so far he consents to ride the extra few miles and deliver the message. ThaJ very afternoon the recruit sets out on the first stage of her journey to be enrolled, a five-mile walk to Arrowtown, the nearest township. The next stage is the 13-mile motor run to Queenstown. There is a halt by the way, and with string and what can be found by the roadside the Tenderfoot test is passed. Word perfect is the recruit, so keen is she to be a Girl Guide. >

Arriving in Queenstown she. is dressed as a Guide. The commissioner and the Queenstown lieutenant between them find uniform and stockings, belt and tie. The lieutenant brings out a treasured article, the hat she wore when she was herself enrolled as a Guide. Then comes the company meeting, the enrolment ceremony, all the joys of meeting other Guides: later the 13-mile return journey, the stay overnight with friends, and next morning the five-mile walk home up the rugged mountain gorge. A lone Guide has been enrolled. Yes, she could have been enrolled after the five-mile walk. But “He who gives a child a treat makes joybclls ring in heaven’s street.” The Provincial Commissioner felt it well worth while to make an effort to give a lone the joy of a company meeting, and lone Guides in Otago appreciate very much the pleasure and inspiration she has given them through their meeting with other Guides. DUNEDIN SWIMMING SPORTS. The annual swimming sports were held at the Municipal Baths on March 10. Entries were received from all companies and a keen competition resulted. The 4th Dunedin Company won the cup, with 15 points, Central Mission and Knox, with 0 points each, being second equal. The results were as follows; Cup Points.—Relay: South Dunedin I. Central 2, St. Andrews 3. 60 2-3 Yards (14 and over): J. Harris (4th Dunedin) 1, C. Knowles (2nd Knox) 2, M. Ford (Columba) 3. 33 1-3 Yards (under 14): M. Stewart (Ist Knox) 1, V. Williams (Central Mission) 2, E. Wilson (St. Clair) 3. Breaststroke (one length): J. Harris (4th Dunedin) 1, C. Knowles (2nd Knox),2, M. Stewart (Ist Knox) 3, Backstroke (one length): J. Harris (4th Dunedin ) 1, M. Ford (Columba) 2, P. Stockdale (St. Andrews) 3. Brownie Race (one width): M. Jenkins (N.E. Valley Pack) 1, J. Mears (4th Dunedin) 2.

Open Events.—33 1-3 Yards (14 mid over): V. Campbell (Columba) 1, M. Blair (Columba) 2, I. Smith (Central Mission) 3. One width _(under 14): V. Williams (Central Mission) 1, J. Campbell (Columba) 2, J. Fairbairn (Columba) 3. District Points.—Dunedin. 27 points;

Dunedin Central, 11 points; Dunedin South, 0 points. At the conclusion of the races some of the Guides gave a diving exhibition. The thanks of the division ,are_ to the officials of the Dunedin Swimming Centre, who controlled the races.