GIRLS' LIFE BRIGADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23108, 6 February 1937, Page 23

GIRLS' LIFE BRIGADE

ENGLISH ORGANISER MAY VISIT DOMINION Advice was received at the annual conference at Wellington of the officers and officials of the Girls' Life Brigade that a visit to New Zealand by the field organiser in England, Miss E. Blenkinsop, was possible. Preliminary arrangements were made for a Dominion conference to be held in Auckland in January, 1938, when Miss Blenkinsop would conduct an officers' training course. Mention was made of the possibility of holding a camp for officers and girls in January, 1939. Miss Blenkinsop would probably stay about eight weeks in New Zealand, doing extension work and conducting training courses, it was said. The conference opened on Saturday last with a sight-seeing tour of Wellington, followed by a social evening. On Sunday a church parade was held at the Vivian Street Baptist Church. Delegates met on Monday and Tuesday for the business sessions, at which the president, Mrs J. Gilman Dunn, Dunedin, occupied the chair. During the conference devotions were conducted by Pastor Fitzsimmons, the Rev. A. L. Silcock. Mrs Dunn and Captain N. Forster. About 25 officers answered the roll call, including representatives from the Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches.

An increase in the number of companies in the Dominion and a numerical increase in the total membership was shown in the annual report. Thirty-nine girls had joined churches during the year, and 14 had taken up Sunday school teaching. Reference was made to the recent visit to New Zealand of Captain Newcombe, a London Missionary Society missionary, who was captain of a Samoan company. Under the heading of "G.L.B. Week," it was reported that receipts totalled £93, an increase on the corresponding sum for the previous year. The work, of the Dominion chaplain, the Rev. R. L. Fursdon, had been greatly appreciated. The Bulletin, an officers' periodical, edited by Miss L. Riddle, had given useful service. The balance sheet revealed a credit of £34. Proposals for the establishment of a travelling expenses fund to enable delegates to attend the conference were adopted. A constitution, which had been revised and discussed at the previous Dominion conference, and since then sent to the international headquarters in London for approval,'was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The following officers were elected: President, Mrs J. Gilman Dunn (Dunedin): vice-presidents—Mrs A. Hodge (Auckland), Mrs A. Grocott (Pleasant Point), Miss D. Earle (Auckland), Miss Price (Wellington); chaplain, the Rev. R. L. Fursdon (Dunedm); secretary, Miss L. Busfield (Auckland); treasurer, the Rev. L. B. Busfield (Auckland). Mrs Gibbs (London) and Miss Duthie (Dunedin) are co-opted members of the council. The officers of the council, together with the following members, were elected to the Executive Committee:—Miss I. Wilson, Major J. Thomas, Captain E.' Ktoon, Captain 0. Johnson, Mrs A. GibbS. Mrs Young was appointed editor of the girls' paper and Miss L. Riddle was reappointed editor of the Bulletin. On Tuesday morning uniform problems were discussed, changes in the cadet uniform being suggested. In the afternoon an address was given by Cbmmandant Earle on "Drawing In the Outsider" and an address by the president on "The Devotional Period in the Company Programme." On Tuesday night Commandant Earle spoke on "Types of Girls," a demonstration of company drill was given by Major A. Thomas, and a demonstration of eurhythmies by Miss Molly Wilson. On Monday, Sister Small, of the Health Department, addressed the conference on "How to Make First-aid and Home Nursing Int6r6stinfi. n Motions of thanks to the Wellington Battalion, hostesses and governing committees for their, hospitality and to the Dominion chaplain for his help during the year wojre carried.