GIRL GUIDES

Southland Times, Issue 22732, 7 November 1935, Page 7

GIRL GUIDES

SOUTHLAND PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATION ANNUAL. REPORT The annual report of the Southland Provincial Girl Guides’ Association states: — The strength of the various compan-

This year the Jellicoe Shield was competed for, Southland entering one team which was drawn from the Winton Company. These Guides journeyed t- Invercargill and were examined tor the practical test by Dr. H. R. Gibson. The results have not yet been published. , The annual camp report shows tnat the total attendance in camp for the last season was 234 as against 144 for the previous year, “Wharemoana has now a bunkhouse, a main room in which a fireplace is being built, and a wide verandah, besides well, pump, washcubicles and fireplaces. Large quantities of cuttings of trees and shrubs have been planted, as well as thousands of bulbs and the lupin is at last taking firm root and spreading. Several tent positions have been made in sheltered spots, and camps can be safely held in any weather. Camps have been held also at Stewart Island, Bluff, Papatowai, Woodlands, Mataura and Waikawa. Owing to the small number of Guiders able to take advantage of the opportunity to attend camp in Invercargill on the date arranged, none has been held this year. Miss D. Denis, Makarewa, and Miss M. Scammell, Invercargill, attended a Brownie training camp in Chrisxchurch in May, and Miss I. Perry, Invercargill, the annual training camp at Otimai in August. Several Guiders have taken the correspondence course conducted by Miss Duthie (Blue Cord Diploma) and the Owls correspondence conducted by Mrs M. H. Walker. A combined Scout and Guide exhibition was held in Invercargill on October 5 and 6, 1934. The Invercargill companies were in charge of the various bays illustrating branches of Ranger, Guide and Brownie work. The Gilbertson Scroll awarded for poster work was won by Otautau, Gore being placed second. In the flower show held in conjunction with the exhibition, the Winton Company came first,. High School second and St. John’s third. Two hundred and fifty Guides from all parts of Southland attended the rally held in Dunedin on March 16, 1935, on the occasion of the visit of the Chief Scout and Chief Guide. The Southland Guides contribution to the programme took the form of a Maori item—the Invercargill companies performing the Maori canoe action song and Maori stick games, the district companies grouping themselves round and engaging in Maori hand-crafts—-mat-making, flax plaiting, Maori oven cooking, pois, head-bands, etc. Miss G. McKenzie acted as district captain in charge, and is to be congratulated on the very striking and spectacular, item. In January the Guide Companies in Gore and Invercargill paraded on the occasion of the visit of the Duke of Gloucester. In February the Invercargill Guides were present at the civic farewell to their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Bledisloe. The celebrations for the King’s Jubilee in May took various forms, Guides parading at the public thanksgiving services and also having individual company celebrations. Church parades were held in all parts of the province on February 24 in commemoration of Thinking Day. On Anzac Day Guides and Guiders attended services, made wreathes and placed them on the War Memorial and returned soldiers graves. To commemorate the King’s Jubilee, a suggestion made by Miss L. Bell was adopted and it was decided to form a library which will be housed in the Guide Rooms and will be available for the use of all Guiders and Guides in the province. Donations have been received from Gore, Waikaia, Riverton and Riversdale.

A stocking trail was organized by Mrs R. S. Mclnnes on December 8. The whole scheme 'was carried through without a hitch and a large number of parcels were gathered and distributed. Guides throughout the province have undertaken various forms of service for others. Donations and help have been given to numerous charitable organizations and Guides have generally acted up to the ideals of Guiding. Most Guide and Ranger companies have been well represented in the proficiency badge tests, and the following list will show how comprehensive Guiding is, and how it is training Guides to become good citizens, and of assisting in their homes as well as to others.

Group I.—lntelligence and character: 3 artists, 4 booklovers, 1 naturalist, 1 rifle shot, 1 signaller, 10 writers, 15 thrift.

Group 11.—Handicrafts and Professions: 27 child nurse, 1 clerk, 1 cobbler, 27 cooks, 8 dairymaids, 32 domestic service, 2 electricians, 2 motorists, 9 needlewomen, 18 knitters, 3 handywomen, 9 homemakers, 1 housecraft, 41 laundress, 7 scribes, 10 toymakers, 4 trade.

Group 111.—Physical Development and Strength: 17 athelete, 11 cyclist, 1 dancer, 1 campcraft, 5 health, 5 horsewomen, 8 pioneers, 29 sportswomen, 9 swimmers.

Group IV.—Service for others: 12 ambulance, 1 first aider, 3 fire brigade, 1 pathfinder, 5 sick nurse. Special Awards.—l nursing handmaid, 2 ranger stars, 4 first class and all-round cords.

The Brownies have also been taking badge tests, and during the year five house orderlies, one knitter, four needleworkers, and one writer’s badges have been obtained.

During the year the death occurred of Mrs W. T. Hazlett, the first president of the Southland Executive. She always took a very active and practical interest in the Girl Guides’ Association. The executive extends its sympathy to the members of her family.

ies is as follows:— 1933. 1934. 1935. Guides 350 360 304 Rangers Brownies 85 213 81 206 76 218 Officers (warranted and unwarranted) Guide Cos. ' 82 77 72 29 24 20 Ranger Cos. 7 8 8 Brownie Packs 16 15 15