COLOURFUL PAGEANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 521, 26 November 1928, Page 7

COLOURFUL PAGEANT

BIG RALLY OF GUIDES IN DOMAIN PICTURESQUE PARADE In colourful pageantry on the green arena of the Domain, over 2,000 Girl Guides and Brownies showed Auckland on Saturday afternoon what the Guiding movement stood for, and how far it had advanced. It was an impressive demonstration of the manifold activities of a great and helpful organisation. There have been rallies before, but this one was by far t.lie most ambitious yet arranged. Picturesque in detail, and showing every sign of careful preparation, it not only came as a revelation to Auckland, but also informed visiting commissioners from all parts of the Dominion of the magnificent progress that has been made in this province. The first act in the rally was the Guides welcome to Mrs. W. R. Wilson, Chief Commissioner for New Zealand. \V hen Mrs. Wilson accompanied by Dr. Buckley Turkington, Provincial Commissioner, came to the fiield, the parade sprang to attention as the National Anthem was played. Following this first tribute to the chief came the ceremonial march past. The Brownies, reined together with ribbons, jogged past the saluting base at a slow double. The Guides themselves marched by trimly to martial music, turning “eyes right” for the salute. With the completion of these ceremonies, the pageantry of the afternoon began. In mime and tableau the vital principles of the Guiding movement were simply yet forcefully illustrated. These demonstrations, extraordinarily effective as they were, could only have been possible through careful training and preparation. LIVING MAP OF WORLD An original and cleverly arranged spectacle was the “living map of the World.” At the call of command over 1,000 Guides sat down, and out of seeming chaos came order. There before the eyes of the spectators was a map of the world in navy blue. New Zealand, “last and loneliest, ’* was symbolised by two girls—one lying with elbows stretched out —the North Island—and the other, merely supine—the South. With the world set in order, commerce came into its own. Guide propelled liners made their way about the seven green seas, and the ones whose engines had short legs floundered heavily about the capes. To illustrate the advance of guiding, girls with trefoils marched to those places on the human map where the movement is established. The Brownies have their health rules, and one of importance is the acquisition of the teeth cleaning habit. The lesson, interpreted in pageant terms was amusingly effective. Brownies hidden in white overalls represented teeth, and standing guard over them were sentry tooth-brushes. Then followed a picturesque onslaught by germs. The germs, however. lost the day, being set to squealing rout. The Guide Law, which includes all the qualities making life pleasant, were represented symbolically. Each beatific quality was represented by some historical person, whose life gave an example of it. For honour there w'as King Arthur and his comrades of the Round Table. In Loyalty, Captain Scott and his gallant few are shown in their last Antarctic struggle. Illustrating Usefulness was Grace Darling and Florence Nightingale. So it went on, appropriate symbols being furnished for Friendliness (Damon and Pythias), Courtesy (Sir Walter Raleigh), Kindness (St. Francis of Assisi). Obedience (Jack Cornwall), Thrift (Quaker girls), and last of all, Purity. In this Joan of Arc, appropriately mounted on milk-white charger came from the wooded hill into the sunlight. During the pageant the other Guides entertained the spectators with team games and dancing. The whole rally, admirably managed as it was, gave a comprehensive idea of the extent of the movement, and showed also that the romantic and practical can go hand in hand.