GIRL GUIDE NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 20615, 13 October 1928, Page 4

GIRL GUIDE NOTES

VISIT OF DOMINION COMMISSIONERS.

(by

“Tenderfoot.”)

The visit of the Dominion Commissioner Mrs W. R. Wilson, to Invercargill, has given a new impetus to Guiding in this part of New Zealand, and Guides and Guiders alike, inspired by her presence, are working with greater interest and enthusiasm. Mrs Wilson arrived in Invercargill by the mid-day express and after a meeting of Commissioners at 2.30 p.m., met representatives of all Southland committees at afternoon tea in the Girl Guide Association Rooms at 3 p.m. The Provincial Commissioner, Mrs J. G. Macdonald, in a short speech, welcomed Mrs Wilson and explained the great pleasure that everyone felt at having her, even for such a short time in Southland. Mrs Macdonald also commented on the Otago Provincial Rally which she had attended in Dunedin. Twenty four companies had taken part and had given an excellent display of their work. She hoped that the next Southland rally would be equally as successful. Mrs Wilson said that she was delighted once more to visit Invercargill. She regretted that her visit was so short and that it was necessary to return to the north by the express the next morning. It was rather inconvenient for her to travel south at this time of the year, but she had promised to attend the Otago Provincial Rally, which had been a great pleasure to her. She had been thrilled by the magnificent work done by the 1200 Guides at Tahuna Park on Saturday. The Rally had been a tremendous thing for Dunedin and had attracted the biggest crowd that had assembled for any sports gathering. Mrs Wilson congratulated the Southland Association on the progress made since her visit last year. To have obtained their own rooms in such a short time was a great achievement. It proved that there was a feeling of fellowship among the members of all committees and that they were working together in harmony for the good of Guiding, which had such a firm hold in all parts of New Zealand. There were now 12,000 guides in the Dominion. At the recent world conference at which 40 countries had been represented, Sir Robert Baden-Powell quoted the outstanding progress made by New Zealand. Mrs Wilson was convinced that the standard of Guiding was as high in New Zealand as in any part of the world and it was the duty of every one interested to keep it so. The Guide spirit was linking together girts of ill nations in the bonds of fellowship and in time would do more to create and keep peace in the world than any other institution. Guiding was sowing ihe seeds of frendship and the children of the next generation would reap great benefit from it. Mrs Wilson then spoke of the joy that the visit of the Duchess of York had given to the people of the North Island and she regretted that the people of the South had been denied the pleasure of her visit. The Duchess while in the North Island remarked that she had never seen finer guides anywhere in the world and with the last mail, Mrs Wilson had received a photo of the Duchess of York in a Girl Guide uniform and a letter of good wishes for the future of guiding in the Dominion. Both were now hanging in the Guides home at Otama. Mrs Wilson had been in England at the time of the engagement of the Duke and Duchess of York and she said that she had read with interest the accounts written by great statesmen of the life of the Duchess. One man had said she was the County Commissioner for Girl Guides, she was at every sick bed and she was always in her place in church, thus proving that the Statesmen of England realized the importance of serious things in a woman's life. It was the object of guiding io train true women to carry on their work in the world and the members of committees could assist this work better than anyone. They were representatives to the outside public and they could talk of the work in a much more convincing manner than those who wore the uniform. Tea was then served by the local committee, Dr. Moana Gow, of Winton, on behalf of those present afterwards thanking the members for their hospitality, and expressing the pleasure that all had experien-

ced and the great benefit received from the visit of the Dominion Commissioner. Inspection of Guides. At 4.30 p.m. Guides from all Invercargill companies, with their Guiders, met at St. John’s Hall to welcome the Dominion Commissioner. After inspection Mrs Wilson spoke of their duty as Guides. Quietly but in a manner that will always be an inspiration to those who hear her, Mrs Wilson explained the work that lay before them in the world. She congratulated the four girls wearing their all-round cords, and explained that Sir Baden Powell had said he would rather see first-class Guides than others with their arms covered with badges. The Otago girls at their rally had demonstrated the interest they were taking in their work. Everything had been done skilfully and quickly and six girls had pitched a tent, taken it down and cleared everything away in eight minutes. It was very doubtful if boys could have given a finer exhibition. Mrs Wilson had been very much pleased with the Invercargill Rally she had attended last year and she hoped that before long she would be present at another one. Referring to their duty as Guides, Mrs Wilson said: “Remember each one of you is as important to Guiding as I am. All Invercargill is watching you and if you tail, you are letting down the sisterhood of Guides. Remember on what you do and how you do it depends the future of Guiding in New Zealand.” Mrs Wilson said that the movement was producing wonderful results in all parts of the Dominion. She told of an experience she recently had when a woman in Auckland had asked if there were any special reward for good Guides, as she knew of one girl who was doing splendid work. The Guide had given not her own name, but the name of her company. Mrs Wilson explained that Guides did their duty without expecting reward, but she did what the girl had evidently desired, congratulated the captain on the manner in which she was instilling the Guide spirit into her company. “Guides and Guiders,” said Mrs Wilson, ‘are all weavers in the tapestry of life. Noble women of former days have set a difficult pattern and every girl must do her part carefully and accurately. Every small courtesy is woven in brilliant colours in the tapestry that is to make England great.” • In conclusion, Mrs Wilson thanked an unknown Guide for a beautiful trefoil of primroses and hyacinths placed in her room. She loved primroses because of their associations with England and was very sorry that they could not be grown in the north. Miss Blair, district captain, called for three cheers for the Dominion Commissioner. These were enthusiastically given and the Guides were dismissed. In the evening the Guiders spent an enjoyable and instructive hour with Mrs Wilson. Brownies Welcome Dominion Commissioner. There was great excitement in Brownieland on Monday afternoon when all Brownies in the charge of Brown Owls Fretwell, Rowley and Crawford, gathered in St. John’s Hall to welcome Mrs Wilson, Dominion Commissioner. Mrs Wilson was accompanied by Mrs J. G. Macdonald, Provincial Commissioner, Mrs A. T. McCaw, Divisional Commissioner, and Miss L. G. Watson, District Commissioner, and on her arrival was met by Brown Owl Fretwell and escorted by two first-class Brownies into the fairy ring, where she was greeted by the Grand Howl and Salute. Mrs Wilson then inspected each Brownie and afterwards spoke to the Pack, urging the Brownies to help their mothers and their friends and to do their good deeds secretly and quietly. She spoke of the wonder of the Brownie smile and the good It did in the world by making other people happy. By this time every Brownie naturally smiled her biggest smile, and after playing several games, said “goodbye” to Mrs Wilson and left for home eagerly planning new Brownie surprises. Hei Tiki Company. On September 8, 1928, the Hei Tiki Girl Guide Company held its second birthday party in St. John's Memorial Hall. Al-

though the weather conditions were anything but pleasant, they did not affect the enthusiasm of the guides and friends present. After the company had be,en formally inspected by Mrs J. G. Macdonald, Provincial Commissioner, new guides were enrolled. At this meeting two silver medals donated by a former captain, Miss E. Thomson, now of Timaru, were also presented, the winners being Guides Hazel Wollett (Ist prize) and Lilian Keane (second prize). These medals were keenly contested for in August, when a practical examination was held, being supervised by Mr J. Walker (examiner) and the captain, Miss M. McIntyre. It was a very successful event and thoroughly enjoyed by the guides. Needless to say, the winners are very proud indeed. After this ceremony the guides and friends present adjourned to the supper room, which was very prettily decorated. The tables were covered with all manner of good things and in the centre stood the birthday cake, adorned with two candles. The cake was afterwards cut by the Provincial Commissioner and a lengthy toast-list was honoured. A most enjoyable evening was then spent in games and competitions interspersed with items. Later all went home feeling very happy and looking forward to another year of successful events, and eagerly looking forward to a third year party.