GUIDES' PROGRESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18191, 12 September 1933, Page 5

GUIDES' PROGRESS

GISBORNE ASSOCIATION INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP TRIPPTE TO SECRETARY Members of the Gisborne Girl Guides Association, at the annual meeting yes terday, heard with much satisfaction .of a general increase in the membership, and of llio extension of the programme in various directions during the past year. The one note of disappointment was that occasioned by the announce merit of Miss D. Nmol's intention to retire from the post of hon. secretary, which she has filled with conspicuous success for some time. Miss Nieol s services were the subject of a graceful tribute from the meeting, and at the urgent request of the executive, she agreed to remain in her present post until a fitting successor can be found. The meeting was held at S*. Winifred's School, Mrs. H. Verrier Jones being elected to the chair, and expressing much pleasure in that honor. Mrs. Jones commented that the Guide move ment offered great scope, to the young' girl of to-day, as it contained provision ‘for the active social employment of girls from the age of seven years to young womanhood ] in the successive stages of the movement, and also furnisher' further opportunity of social service in the executive side, of the work. Tho movement was one. which encouraged organisation and enterprise among the girls

of the community, and should have even more general support than it enjoyed at present. It represented a far more valuable form of activity than the effort, to bring down a golf handicap, or to become proficient at bridge, ■which the chairman considered was the aim ot many girls leaving school to-day. INCREASE IN STRENGTH The divisional commissioner, Mrs. L. Balfour, then read the annual report, a lengthy review of the activities of the association, containing many expressions of thanks to various people who had assisted the executive throughout the year. The membership was detailed as under: One divisional commissioner, two district commissioners, one district captain, one divisional secretary, 31 Guiders, 163 Guides. 86 Brownies and 13 Rangers. Each of the grades below divisional secretary showed substantial increases, and this fact was commented on with satisfaction. In the Guides’ section 27 second-class badges, 75 proficiency badges, and three bronze medallions for swimming had been awarded during the year, while in the Brownies’ section 13 first-class, 21 second-class, two proficiency and nine wing badges bad been qualified for, the work in general reflecting much credit on the instruction offered to the various companies and packs. There being no Ferguson Cup sewing competition this year, the leaders were, able to give- more time to badge preparation; some members were sewing for exhibition in the Guides’ section of the A. and P. Show, however, and there should bo a good topresentation of work in this section. ANNUAL CAMP The holding of the annual camp at Rimuroa, under Miss W. Lysnar, camp adviser, was also referred to in the report, which mentioned that Gisborne, Mangapapu, Manutuke, Muriwai, Patutahi, To Hapara, Te Karaka, Tolaga Bay, Tokomaru Bay and Opotiki companies were represented at the camp, the total number exclusive of officers being 86. The camp was divided into three groups, under the command of Misses N. .Meredith and Bartrum, and Mrs. Martin (Opotiki) respectively. Mrs R. Andrew was central quartermaster, and Miss J. Mackay was in charge of equipment. The programme ol instruc-j tion and Guide activities was most comprehensive. and a sports meeting organised by Miss Westlake, of Wnimana. proved*most attractive, many parents of Guides and Brownies visiting the camp. An inspection by the divisional and district commissioners bad found everything most up-to-date and well controlled. In the course of the year, dances bad been held for the main purpose of renewing some of the gear for camping, espeeialiv the tents. Those owned by the association were of a type which called for assistance in their erection. Thedances were held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. I). Lysnar. and were organised by Miss Lysnar and Mrs. R. Andrew, distinct, captain, with the general assistance of Guiders. Swimming instruction during last summer was given to many members of the Guiders and Rangers’ companies by Mr D. W. Me League, honorary instructor of the Gisborne Swimming Club, and three Guiders secured tlu* bronze medallion of the Royal Lifesaving Society, the report mentioned. Mrs Silverwood had given valuable assistance in training for .ambulance badges, and in various other directions the association had received much help. The report also mentioned the annual church parade, held in conjunction with the Boy Scouts’ Association, the sunshine work of the Guides and Brownies, the Anzae Bay parade, and visits by the divisional commissioner to the respective companies. Reference was made to the New Zealand conference of commissioners, held at, Auckland, as the source of much inspiration. General satisfaction was expressed by Mrs Balfour with the progress of varies phases of the association programme, and with the personnel of the officers. COMMITTEE AND FINANCE Regret was expressed at the loss of Mrs E. A. Afuis and Miss C. Hutchinson as district ■commissioners, after each had rendered invaluable service to the movement, and the appointment of Mrs- Bymock as Te Karaka district commissioner, in Miss Hutchinson’s place, was noted with satisfaction. . Thanks were expressed to all executive and committee members, and to Mr and Mrs Vendor Jones for placing the meeting room at the disposal of the association. “Before closing, I wish to, specially mention our divisional secretary, Miss Doreen Nicol.” stated the divisional commissioner. “Only those who have come in contact with her work can possibly realise how much time she lias given up to her duties in this position. She is without, doubt one of the best secretaries the division has ever had.” The -balance-sheet, submitted in conjunction with the report, showed a credit of .CIO Is 2d at the close of the year. The total income was £(iK 10s 5(1, of which company levies accounted for ill 1 10s, and money for orders for CIO os 9d, both these sums being forwarded to Auckland. In the expense account, the chief outlay was for conference expenses, CIO 15s. The report and balance-sheet were adopted bv unanimous vote, as was also a comprehensive report on the activities of the association in the Waikolui district.

The election of officers being proceeded with, Mrs. 11. Vender Jones was returned unopposed as president of the association, with the following executive ; Mesdames C. Blackburn, L. Clare,

W. Lissant Clayton, T. A. Crawford J. G. Appleton, T. Preston, L. Hale G. Faulkner, C. Ferris, F,. A. Muis and D. G. S. MacDonald (Tolaga Bay).

The president intimated that she and her husband proposed to make a .small trophy available for annual competition among the companies, the conditions of competition being left to the executive. ’llhe offer was received with applause. Mr. L. Balfour was again elected lion, auditor lo the association, and was accorded hearty thanks for his past work in this office. Miss I). Nicol agreed to carry on the duties ot the lion, secretary until a suitable successor could be found for her, the divisional commissioner expressing the regret ot the meeting at Miss Nicol’s decision to retire from the po-st. At a later stage in tShe meeting, -Miss Nicol was made the recipient of a presentation. as a token of appreciation of her services, the divisional commissioner intimating that this presentation had been decided upon before the executive had heard of her intention not to carry on with the secretarial work. It had' simply been decided that this meeting would present a- good opportunity of recognising publicly the good work done by -Miss Nicol, which well merited an appreciative gesture on the part of her colleagues on the executive. The presentation was carried out amidst enthusiastic applause. Numerous matters of domestic interest to the association were discussed before the meeting dispersed, alter tendering a warm vote of thanks to the president.