GIRL GUIDES

Southland Times, Issue 22038, 10 June 1933, Page 19

GIRL GUIDES

by

“ATALANTA".

Thought for the Week. In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich. GENERAL NOTES. Meetings of the provincial and Invercargill committees were held last week, and mostly routine business was transacted. There was not a big attendance at either meeting. At the provincial meeting it was decided that ordinary business could be attended to by the Invercargill members and that country members attend only every quarter—February, June, August and November —the last being the time of the annual meeting. This is to be given effect to at once. Thanks.

I have been asked by the president of the Southland Basketball Association to convey to those Rangers and Guides who helped at the tournament last Saturday the thanks and gratitude of herself and her executive. The executive realizes the sacrifice of time on your part and is very appreciative. Lone Company. A shilling from First Church Rangers should have been acknowledged last week, not First Church Guides. Further shillings have also been received from High School A and B Companies (Invercargill). That isn’t really a very good response is it and I did ask you about it a whole month ago. Do see if it can’t all be paid by next week. Our Dominion Commissioner. Everyone will be glad to know that Mrs Wilson is so much better that she is able to have a holiday. She has gone to Japan and has sent through the News Sheet her good wishes to all her Rangers, Guides and Brownies in New Zealand. GUIDES. Patrol Leaders. A very representative meeting was held last Thursday. The only company who had no one present was High School B, which was a pity as it made it necessary for High School A to give all the information to the B Company. Your PLS will tell you all that was discussed. There is to be a combined campfire of all town guides on Saturday, July 1, at 7 p.m. There will be competitions, games and campfire until 9.30 p.m. P. Ford, D. Pullar, and C. Stobo are conveners of the three sub-committees and all arrangements are left with them. Now it will only be a success if everyone who possibly can is present, so try and keep that evening free. It will be the only occasion when you all meet together; do make it a worth while one. If you have any good suggestions, tell P.L. and she will pass it on to the committee concerned. Morse Signalling.

As I said last -week, I am now taking for granted that you have made your flag and learned your symbols. Before you go any further do you know the signalling names for the letters? If not you should learn them, as there is less likelihood of the writer putting them down wrongly: A, ach; B, beer; C Charlie; D, Don; E, Edward; H, Harry; I, Ink; J, Johnny; M, Emma; P, pip; Q, Queen; S, Sugar; T, toe; V, Vick. There are one or two variations for these symbols, but if you use those I have stated here, your writer will make no mistake. Marker—Fall in.

The marker takes up his place about four paces in front of the instructor, stands at ease with the butt of flag pressed against the little toe of the right foot; the right hand holds the flag near the top, catching in the fly and the top of flag slopes outwards. Attention.—The left foot comes to the right and the flag is brought to the side. Prepare to signa’.—One: The flag is brought smartly up, slantwise across the body till the right hand is in front of the left breast pocket. At the same time the left hand will grasp the top of the flag pole, under the loose end of the flag. Two: The right hand slides down to within six inches of the butt end of pole, and the left foot moves smartly away from the right. The left arm, and hand do not move. Ready.—Tire flag is shot up, slantwise above the left shoulder (the point of the flag should be halfway between the head and the shoulder). The right hand passes over the left hand which now holds the butt of the flagpole, the right wrist lying along the pole over the knuckles of the left hand. The left hand does all the work, the right hand is only a pivot. To send a dot, wave the flag from Ready position to Ready position on the right side and back again to Ready position on the left. In making this movement, you should do it in the form of figure eight. To send a dash, wave flag from Ready position to slightly below shoulder level, pause, and then bring smartly back to Ready position. The figure eight movement made by the wrists keeps the flag unfurled. I told you I wouldn’t talk Morse to you again for a long time, but I’ll have one more paragraph next week; just some general hints to help. In the meantime you can practise assiduously. The convener of the Badge Committee has several times mentioned that there is no Invercargill Guide who has won the Signallers’ badge—a pity don’t you think? It’s a fascinating study and it’s worth while being proficient. Patrol Corners.

Oh yes, I am back again at this point, because your patrol corner is something in which you all can be and should be interested. Those of you who have begun first class could add a notice about weights and measures. There is one other thing you should all have in your comer —a progress chart. There are many ways in which this can be made. I have seen ladders made with small flags—each rung denotes a part of second class or first class and each flag denotes a Guide. In one book I saw a tree drawn, in which the branches were parts of the test and each Guide was a different bird and perched on the branch to which she had reached. Another idea is to have a road drawn with lanes or streets showing the various stages from tenderfoot to second class to first class. I wonder if any patrol has an original method and showing the progress of the Guides. If so, write and tell me about it and I’ll send you a shilling towards your patrol funds. Next wee l I’ll talk some more about your Pati Comers. NEW SONGS. During the next few weeks, the words of new songs learnt during training week will be published, so that all companies will have an opportunity of learning them. Then, perhaps, it will not be so difficult to find some songs that every company can sing! Here are three to begin with, all short ones: — “WIND, WIND, HEATHER GIPSY.” Wind, wind, heather gipsy, whistling in my tree, All the heart of me is tipsy at the thought of thee; Sweet with scent of clover, salt with breath of sea, Wind, wind, wayman lover, whistling in my tree.

RED INDIAN SONG. Old Man Great Chief, maker of the mountain, Hear, oh, hear my cry. Hear my cry for goodness, hear my cry for cleanness, Hai-ya, hai-ya, hai-ya, Hai-ya, hai-ya, hai-ya, hai-ya. THE TINKER’S SONG. Have you any work for the tinker, mistress ? Pots or pans or brass or kettles? Tinker-terry, tinker-terry, tinkerterry, tinker-terry, Tinker-terry, tinker-terry, tink-tink-tink'. (To be sung seven times, at first very softly, loudest the fourth time, then gradually dying away—and see if you don’t hear the rattle of his pots and pans as he comes nearer and nearer, and at last disappears in the distance). The Enrolment Hymn. My thanks to a P.L. of High School A Company, a Lone P.L. and two captains for sending me these words. I do hope you will learn them and have this hymn at your next Enrolment Ceremony. Tune, “The Church’s One Foundation”) :— Oh Jesus I have promised my loyalty to Thee, My life to spend in service, in love and purity; Thy strength shall guard my weakness, while walking by my side, Oh help me keep my promise to be a faithful Guide. Oh Jesus I have promised my vow I here renew To be a trusty comrade, with friendship strong and true, For wisdom in my choosing, I will in Thee confide, Oh, help me keep my promise to be a faithful Guide. Oh Jesus, I have promised to cheerfully obey, My tasks to offer gladly through this and every day, Then grant I may be loyal whatever may betide, Oh help me keep my promise to be a faithful Guide. Oh Jesus, I have promised a faithful Guide to be, And though the days be dreary, Thy love will comfort me. Oh help me to remember that Thou for me hast died, And through the days that follow, the footsteps of me guide. The P.L. (Lone Company) who was amongst those who sent me these lines, wrote: “Best wishes for the success of our column.” That was most cheering; I hope you all look upon this as “our” column, because that is what I am endeavouring to do. RANGERS. Service. I am glad that the ways of service I suggested were acceptable to some of you. Three Rangers from First Church are helping as instructors to the Cubs, two from Central have offered to knit bathing suits for the use of children at a health camp (I have still to make arrangements about providing the wool), and both Central and St. Johns sent helpers for the Basketball Tournament last Saturday. Games. Here are two games for a cold evening. (1) The floor is divided into two courts, with a narrow strip of neutral ground about three yards wide between them. Across the middle is a rope sft. to 7ft. high. There are two teams of any number, Reds and Blues, one team on each side of the rope. The object of the game is to make the ball touch the ground in your opponents’ court. The best way to do this is to stand as close to the net as you can (without standing in the neutral ground) and hurling the ball downwards from overhead; or to look for a space in your opponents’ court where there are no defenders; or to throw the ball so hard that they can’t touch it. When the ball touches the ground inside the court, a point is scored to the other side. It is best to have a line of players close to the net for attack, and another behind to defend and field. (2) Several teams who wear coloured bands. The players in each team are numbered and then mix up with the other teams and stand outside a large circle. A smaller circle in the middle has as many balls as there are teams. When the leaders call a number, that number from each team runs into the middle circle, seizes a ball and from where she is, passes to each member of her own team. Then she puts her ball down and runs back to her place. The first back scores a point for her side. Players must be inside the middle circle when passing but can pass to their own team in any order so long as no one is left out. BROWNIES. Tieing a Parcel. Have you practised with your paper and string during the week? And I do hope you have remembered to tie a reef knot. That’s most important, otherwise your string will come unfastened. Now perhaps you could each take some awkward parcel to pack meeting with, of course, the necessary wrapping and Brown Owl might let you play a game. Get all the articles in one place some distance from the Brownies and then when the signal is given, each Brownie runs with her paper and string to her parcel and proceeds to tie it up neatly. When she is finished she runs with it to Brown Owl who gives marks for the first one ready with the neatest parcel tied with a reef knot. Sometimes also the game can be varied, by each Brownie addressing the parcel when she has tied it up. I am sure all Brownies would like to know ho.w a parcel should be labelled when it is all ready to take to the Post Office to be sent a Way. Ball Game. Here is a game that causes lots of fun on a cold afternoon. Each Brownie has a soft rubber ball or tennis ball, and each player has a number. Brown Owl has a basketball which she throws into the air calling a number as she. does so. Brownie with that number tries to hit the basketball before it touches the ground again. It can be played as a team game. Each team will be numbered and then if No. 2 is called, all the 2’s will aim at the basketball and marks can be given for each six. Do You Like This? Little things that run and quail And die in silence and despair! And fall on sea and. earth and air! All trapped and frightened little things The mouse, the coney, hear our prayer! As we forgive those done to us (The lamb, the linnet, and the hare) Forgive us all our trespasses Little creatures, everywhere. —James Stephens.