Girl Guides

Southland Times, Issue 22499, 8 December 1934, Page 23

Girl Guides

By

"BIG GUIDE"

Thought For the Week. On. an old stone seat in Kew Gardens (London) someone has carved this verse:—“Let us take hands and help. This day we are alive together. Look up and thank the God of all.” The heading of the verse is very simple: “Life—the Gift.” The Stocking Trait To-day’s the day and I do hope you are as excited about everything as I am. There have been no more letters telling us not to come, so we will follow the trail I published last week. One Guide Company has offered us morning tea and a Brownie Pack lunch; we’ve accepted both invitations. As for the town companies, so far I have been told of one company not taking part, and one Guide and one Ranger Company who will leave their gifts at the Guide Rooms. We hope to be there by 8 p.m.; therefore any Guides who would like to meet us and see everything will be welcome. If enough arrive I’ll tell you all our adventures and we might have campfire. That idea has just come to me this minute; so I leave it to you to do as you like about it. Next week I’ll tell you all in this column exactly what happened to your gifts. From the English “Guider,” just arrived, I quote this:—“Hurrah! Schemes and plans for Christmas Stocking Trails are in full swing once again and many counties are getting very busy. December 8 is going to be a great day for all Guide folk, and when we are trailing through our own particular country it will be thrilling to feel that similar trails are being run all over England and even in many countries overseas as well.”

You will remember that to-day as you are getting ready for us, won’t you. The southernmost Guides and Brownies of the world are combining with Guides everywhere in providing Christmas gifts for those who otherwise would miss Christmas altogether. Gore Company.

The Gore Company with Rangers and Brownies gave a most enjoyable concert last week. The programme was arranged so that the audience which was large and appreciative would get some idea of the work accomplished during the year. There were songs, short plays, excellent drill by both Rangers and Brownies and a camp fire ceremony. Mrs F. S. Graham (president) thanked the public for their attendance and apologized for the absence of the Division Commissioner (Miss Aitken) and the Scout master, Mr Collins. The company placed a wreath on the memorial on Armistice Day and paraded to the Anglican Church where the Rev. Mr Webb gave an inspiring address.

St John’s Company. Had you been at Wharemoana one Friday recently at 7.30 p.m. you would have seen a bus arriving with about 20 excited Guides; but this was not all who were camping there for the weekend. Four Guides had cycled over that afternoon while, Captain Rata P.S. and a Central Ranger had been over there since Tuesday. After the filling of our palliasses, the making of our beds, and the putting away of our luggage, we retired to our bed which proved much harder than our beds at home. The next day, Saturday, the Rata Patrol were cooks. Alas! When they went to light the fires they discovered there were no koradis with which to start them. After many fruitless attempts—and with the use of more than two matches—the fire began to blaze, just as the Fuchsia Patrol arrived with piles of koradi. Breakfast came at 8.30 p.m. followed by colours, prayers and tent inspection. To our surprise, when we came to prepare dinner, we discovered that the meat had not arrived. What were we to do? Captain solved the problem by announcing that we would have vegetables instead. Rest hour was spent among the hills. Next came the pitching of a tent. At camp fire we were entertained by solos by lieutenant and two of the Guides. On Sunday morning we held a Guides’ Own over which Captain presided. An inspiring and interesting address based on the parable of “The Saver” was given by the Poppy P.L., the Rata P.L. read the scripture reading which was taken from St. Matthew’s Gospel. The service was attended by Mrs R. S. Mclnnes. District Commissioner, and Miss McKenzie, Lone Guide Captain. Rest hour was spent sun-bathing among the sand hills. Then came the arrival of visitors. The bus . arrived. What a scramble there was to collect belongings! After the bus departed those who were cycling home returned to the grounds to have a final clearing up. At 8 p.m. we said “Goodbye” to our KEEN CRITICISM. PROBLEM No. 649. Mr A. Findlay sends along the following ingenious play to show a win for White:— Black.—s, 10, 11, 12, 14. White—l 3, 19, 21, 23, 28. Black to play and White to win. 11.16 24.27 27.18 21.25 13.9 2.7 21.17 18.22 16.20 27.31 14.21 25.29 9.6 7.11 7.23 28.24 20.24 31.27-a 5.9 9.14 6.2 11.7 23.18 24.20 W. wins. (a) 5.9 -b 6.9 17.22 11.15 27.18 19.15 9.13 28.24 18.11 15.6 13.17 9.25 W. wins. 31.27 24.20 (b) Throwing the man on 10 makes no difference. PROBLEM No, 648. By G. A. Brown. Draughts Editor— At note (a) this position conies up:— Black—l 3, 19. 20; King, 25. White—ll, 15, 27, 28; King, 2. White to move. The solution proceeds: 11.8, 25.22, 15.11, 22.18. Drawn. Instead of 11.8, play:— 2.6 15.10 7.3 8.12 25.22 13.17 22.26 31.24 6.9 10.7 3.8 12.16 • 22.18 17.22 26.31-a 18.23 Then 9.14. White wins. (a) 26.30, 8.12, 18.22, 9.14, 30.25, 14.17, 22.13, 12.16. W. wins. J. O’Neill. Tuatapere. TO CORRESPONDENTS. J. Beecot (Dunedin)—Yours to hand, thank you. G. A. Brown (Christchurch)—Many thanks for games. DRAUGHTS CHAMPIONSHIP OF NEW ZEALAND. The following appeal has come to hand: “Next Easter Dannevirke will assist to keep our game to the fore by conducting the Dominion Championship. An interesting innovation will be the Institution of official provincial championships—the title being awarded to the highest scorer from scratch in each province provided his tally is at least 50 per cent, of the possible. The future control of these provincial titles vests in our association and will be a subject for consideration at the Dominion Congress. As was said when Mataura organized such a successful tourney, draughts players will not let their game down, so we are enclosing a contribution list knowing that you will do the best you can, and we can assure you that your efforts will be appreciated to the full. The committee would be pleased if you could return your list by March 12, 1935. We hope also to see each province well represented at the tournament, so that the provincial titles will be sought for almost as keenly as the Dominion championship Its-lf."

We are confident that Southland players win rally to the assistance of our “Brithers o' the board” in Dannevirke. Send along your subs, to the Draughts Editor and they will be acknowledged in this column—D.E.

camping ground after two very enjoyable days spent there. Our congratulations are due to the Poppy Patrol for gaining the most points throughout the camp. —Sent in by Rata P.L.

Mataura Brownies. From Brownie Sheila comes a most interesting letter. What a perfectly wonderful time this pack has had lately. Have you collected any toys or books for the -Stocking Trail, Sheila? When we have so many delightful surprises ourselves, we should want to give them to others who are not so lucky as we are.—Big Guide. “I must write and tell you about our parties (says Sheila). First of all we had an enrolment party. Brown Owl made us a great big cake and told us she had left the stones in the dates. But when we were carefully eating the dates, and watching for the stones we found threepence. Wasn’t that a surprise? The enrolment cake was in honour of five new Brownies. The next special treat was a trip to Maori Bush. Brown Owl and Tawny had 23 of us to look after. We had great fun trying to see who could see the first black rabbit. Ruth saw a yellow baby one first. We also saw lots of wild gooseberries and pretty pink Maka-mako and some white parsonia. Brown Owl also took us up to the Maori cemetery. Such lots of pretty irses were all in bloom. Last Saturday we were invited to a party which Dr Woodhouse gave in aid of Health Camp Funds at her home. We Brownie folk helped with the entertaining. We had a best dressed Granny and Edna Gourley won the prize. She was very good indeed. Then we had decorated prams and bicycles. We are breaking up next Tuesday for our holidays, and 8.0. is inviting us to afternoon tea at her new home when she moves there next week. Lots of love, Big Guide, from the Mataura Brownies.” St. John’s Company.

Last Friday St. John’s Company was turned out of its room, and I believe there was a certain amount of grumbling, but what a really good thing it was! The meeting was held out-of-doors on a wonderfully warm calm evening. This was an open evening and parents and friends were asked to come and see the company at work. Several parents did so and were very interested in everything. Dr. M. Gow (Provincial Commissioner), accompanied by Mrs R. S. Mclnnes (District Commissioner) were present and also Mrs H. S. Cordery (Provincial Camp Adviser). The Guides have a particular ceremony of their own for commencing a meeting; it is so different from any other Southland company I have visited, but I never fail to enjoy it. On this occasion an extra part was the welcome signalled to the Commissioners by the whole company. Those who were not proficient enough to signal with flags, used their arms. A recruit was enrolled and the company went into patrol corners. Captain and lieutenant issued instructions to each patrol and soon all were very busy. Parents were invited to inspect and in one part of the grounds a Patrol was measuring distances, another two were learning to put up miniature tents and improvize flag poles, while the fourth gathered leaves from the surrounding trees, mounted them and found out their names. Then all at once a brand new tent appeared and everyone wondered why until Captain called attention and Mrs A. C. Ford (chairwoman of the committee) stated that the new tent was a present from the committee to the company. Of course, the Guides were very thrilled and surrounded the committee members saying “Thank you” in true Guide manner. And now the sun had set, the colours were furled, a fire was lighted and we all gathered round in the dusk for campfire. At this stage a bouquet of roses was presented to Dr. M. Gow. Proceedings commenced with patrol songs, which the audience appreciated. Then followed songs we knew well, and some we didn’t know so well until we could see that Lieu-, tenant was getting quite worried, because she was sure the tea would all be cold. Dr. Gow in speaking to the Guides thanked them for the flowers and for her invitation. She had thoroughly enjoyed herself and learned something new. Then Lieutenant had her way and we had our supper. After supper came “Taps” and a delightful evening was ended at least as far as the visitors were concerned. I did see figures hurrying about for some time afterwards attending to the necessary cleaning up. Yes, it was an enjoyable evening.

Conference and Hospitality. I think the two terms are nearly synonymous. There was nothing the Hawkes Bay Association left undone that could possibly have added to our enjoyment. It was truly a wonderful week. I mentioned that we began with an afternoon tea party where everyone talked at once, recognizing those whom they had met in former years and meeting some of whom they had only heard. I met Miss Burgin for the first time and shared the admiration everyone has for the Commissioner for Training. I stayed at “Hillsbrook,” a guest house at Havelock North, three or four miles from Hastings, and the first thing I received was a bus ticket, so that I need not pay even my own fares. There were four of us at “Hillsbrook” and the same courtesy was extended to each. Then there was morning tea and afternoon tea each day of the conference and one morning when it was specially hot a huge basket of cherries just picked was added to the morning tea. We were all honorary members of the Hastings Community Club and they were very good about arranging lunch for those of us who found it rather far to return to our lodgings. The first afternoon we were invited to the home of Mrs Sutro (Provincial Commissioner) for afternoon tea. Mrs Sutro has a beautiful home some miles from Hastings. Ten cars met in Hastings at 2.15 p.m. and visitors were allotted to each, so that the North Island and South Island were well distributed. Then began a treasure hunt; we weren’t most of us very young and you should just have seen us scrambling over fences, hunting through long grass, under bridges and in tunnels for our clues. I still wonder what I looked like, while Mrs Tweed (Provincial Commissioner, Welington) directed mq. from one side of the fence, where exactly to crawl under the roots of a huge macrocarpa tree for one clue. Our driver had helped lay the trail and sometimes thought we were very dense because we would go the wrong road. However, we arrived at the final spot with a few minutes to go. The last clue pointed to a wonderful grove of pine trees four deep and ever so long. How we prodded trees, looked under branches and felt among the pine needles. Just as everyone had almost decided that the treasure must have vanished, Mrs Tweed sat on it—a beautiful copy of the “Cruise of the Calgaric.” Then for a clean up and sumptuous afternoon tea, where strawberries and cream figured largely. (Yes I know we ate a lot, but that was the fault of our hostess.) Our chauffeurs then returned us home safely, rather “stiffish,” but otherwise quite whole. Next evening we were all invited to campfire. Cars as usual called for us and returned us later. The campfire was held inside, althoufih it was a gorgeous night, because we were told the weather could be so uncertain. I felt that reason could just as easily have been given here. The very interesting thing about this campfire was the display of folk dancing given by Guiders and Rovers. They gave many dances from the very primitive and explained the nature of them. I was very much impressed, and have certainly not seen anything like it here. Supper was handed round most ex-

peditiously, and at the end the Guides formed a guard of honour for Miss Herrick (Chief Commissioner) and a happy evening was ended. On the Saturday afternoon the Provincial President (Miss E. Williams) entertained us at a garden party at her home. It is a big, old world house with magnificent grounds, including a swimming pool and orange trees with ripe oranges, many of which were lying on the ground. It has some of the most wonderful trees I have ever seen, a huge oak tree with long, drooping branches under which we gathered for strawberries and cream. It was a very hot afternoon, and all the commissioners looked happy in their beautiful frocks. It was a gay sight. At night we were entertained at the pictures, which most of us attended without any wrap at all. The delegates presented Miss Herrick, Mesdames Sutro and Richmond with shoulder posies, and afterwards we all entertained our hostesse sto supper (mostly strawberries and ice cream). The party broke up then, some leaving early on the Sunday morning. The rest of us were entertained to luncheon by Miss Herrick at her home in Napier. Again cars called for us and took us home again. I didn’t even miss my morning tea that day, because I was invited to visit Woodford House and was the guest of the headmistress. What a wonderful school that is with its spacious grounds and its own chapel! On the Monday morning almost everyone had left and the 1934 conference was ended. I came away with the most wonderful memories of charming hostesses ad overwhelming hospitality, and after a fortnight I still talk of the wonderful trees, the clear water, and the orange trees.

December 15. Commissioners and executive members are reminded that they are invited to attend the display for the Rose Bowl competition at Gore next Saturday. Wharemoana. A further 10/- has been received by St. Peter’s Company and this will purchase for them the last beam. Please remember that Mrs Cordery must know not later than Friday if you are intending to camp these holidays. First Class. In the recent tests I. Biel (St. John’s) passed in practical work, and P. Burley, (St. John, s) and H. Taylor (High School), in both practical and theoretical. The two latter have each some badge tests to complete. Recently E. Mclnnes (St. John’s), R. Daniells and M. Taylor (High School) completed several badge tests and have now earned their first class and all round cords. Visit of the Chief Guide and Scout. The stunt put on by Southland will be the Maori stick game, Hoea Ra, and the National Anthem in Maori; also our Provincial Commissioner is anxious that it should be done in costume. Miss McKenzie (Provincial Captain of the rally) would be glad to hear from companies who can borrow costumes, or who have any suggestions as to how to make them. Badge Secretary. Miss E. Lipscombe, Nelson street, has returned and resumed her duties. Please address correspondence to her.