TARANAKI GIRL GLIDES

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1928, Page 7

TARANAKI GIRL GLIDES

GOOD PROGRESS REPORTED ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES IN THE DIVISIONS. The third annual meeting of the provincial conftnittee of the Taranaki Giri Guides Association was held in New Plymouth on October 5. Present: Mrs. D. K. Morrison (Provincial Commissioner), Mrs. F. 8. Hodson (Division Commissioner, North Taranaki), Mrs. J. Houston (Divisional Commissioner, South Taranaki), Mrs. Steven (District Commissioner, Stratford), Miss R. Hawken (District Commissioner, Patea), Mrs. R. Henderson (District Captain, Hawera), Mrs. Sheppard (Lone Captain, Taranaki), Mrs. Cruickshank (New Plymouth), Mrs. Tait (Kaponga), Mrs. Fitzgerald (Eltham), Mrs. Henry (Hawera), Mrs. Davis (Manaia), Mrs. Watt and Mrs. Church (Opunake), and Mrs. S. B. William's (Provincial Secretary). Mrs. Morrison said it was very gratifying to see so many delegates. The balance-sheet showed that the I piovincial funds were much improved, and a credit balance in hand, also that the equipment account with Dominion headquarters had been paid up to date. Illllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllli

Reporting on the work in the North Taranaki division, Mrs. Hodson said, in part:— Guiding in New Plymouth is holding its own. The number is gradually increasing, and they are very keen on badge work. There are four companies and four Brownie packs, and we could easily form more but for the lack of officers. Most of our Guiders are carrying on under difficulties of large packs and companies and insufficient help, but they are responding nobly to the call. During the year I obtained six months’ leave w absence, during which the movement in North Taranaki was ably carried on by Mrs. Houston, Divisional Commissioner for South Taranaki, and Mrs. Steven, who was appointed district commissioher in charge cf Stratford, Kaponga and Eltham in April, hi Stratford the company has had a successful year, and the Brownies ar c most enthusiastic. I regret to report, hoWever, that the Rangers were unable to keep going and their company has therefore been disbanded. At Eltham thee ompany has been unfortunate in losing Mrs. Foord, who has been in charge for several years, owing to ill-health. Mrs. Foord has been a tower of strength to the movement from its inception. The company and pack are meanwhile very enthusiastic and keen on badges. MOVEMENT IN KAPONGA. In Kaponga a meeting was held on September 28 of last year when it was decided to form a company and pack. The company was enrolled by Mrs. i Houston in December and the pack by I Mrs. Steven in August. The Guides and Brownies are very keen. The Guiders were fortunate in having the opportunity of attending a training week held in New Plymouth by Miss M. Burgin, Blue Cord Guider, in June. A large number attended. We had a visit from Miss O’Rorke, Eagle Owl, during September, when Brownie Guiders were enabled to learn more of the work. The Guides throughout the division attended parades on Anzae Day, and on the occasion of the visit of the Governor-General and Lady Alice Fergusson. Church parades have also been held in the various centres, and many of the companies have had their colours dedicated. New Plymouth put in a team for the Interprovineial Jellieoe Shield competition in ambulance and child nursing. An entry was sent in from both divisions for the Lady Allee Fergusson Cup for needlework and knitting, results are not yet to hand. A splendid camping site on Avenue Road was given to the New Plymouth Guides and Scouts by Mrs. Avery, senr. The badges won during the year included: Knitters 7, needlewoman’s 16, ambulance 9, toymakers 7, sick nurse 3, cyclist 12, thrift 9, child nurse 2, domestics service 13, laundress 2, dairymaid 1, dancer 1, entertainer 1, Brownie weaver 3, needlewoman 2 and collector 1. Members for the division total 372 of all strengths, a substantial increase on last year. Thanks were expressed to all those who had assisted the movement, especially to Mrs. Williams, the secretary, and Mrs. Morrison. Work in South Taranaki was reported on, in part, as follows by Mrs. Houston: — There is an average strength of about 400 Brownies, Guides and Rangers actually enrolled, including 35 Guiders and two commissioners. In addition, there are at present about 50 recruits undergoing training but who are not yet actually enrolled. The division comprises Hawera, Patea, Mokoia, Manaia and Opunake. There are 16. companies and packs, distributed as follows: Hawera, four Guide companies, three Brownie packs and one Ranger company; Patea, one Guide company and one Brownie pack; Mokoia, one Guide company and one Brownie pack; Manaia, one Guide company; Opunake, one Guide company, one Brownie pack and one Ranger company. The Patea Guide company has a flourishing branch nt Alton. During Hie wear the growing

numbers of the Hawera Guides made it necessary to split up the two original companies into four, and the result has been a great success. For the same reason, one of the Hawera Brownie packs will shortly be divided into two. Most of the Guiders of the division have been able to attend one or more of the instructional camps which have been held during the year. APPOINTMENTS IN SOUTH. Miss R. Hawken was appointed district commissioner for Patea, Alton and Mokoia in April, and she has been invaluable at her end of the division. Mrs. R. R. Henderson was appointed district captain at Hawera, and this appointment is a great assistance. As far as the Ranger branch is concerned, it appears that what is now required is co ordination under a permanent head. It is a branch of Guiding that should not be neglected, and if it were possible to find the right person to act as Head of Rangers for the Dominion I feel sure that this would make for concerted work among the scattered Ranger companies. The two Ranger companies of South Taranaki take an active part in various forms of community work in their respective towns. There is very good feeling between the Scout and Guide movements throughout the division. There are five local associations in the division, and they all work harmoniously in their centres, and ■ there is an exceedingly good feeling between them and the companies and packs. Reporting on the company of Lone Guides established in February, the i lIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIiIIIIIIIIIIIIKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

first company in Taranaki, Mrs. Sheppard said:— Unfortunately there has not been a large enrolment. For some reason or other there does not seem to be the enthusiasm that one might expect from the senior girls of the outlying districts. Early in the year a patrol was formed at Omata under Patrol-Trader Molly Cannon, but owing to Miss Cannon’s departure from the district and the next girl in charge resigning the patrol is now reduced to two members and there is no immediate prospect of it being fully established. At present there is a complete “Sunflower” patrol at Stratford under Patrol-Leader Mary Stewart. Owing to the lack of Guiders at the present time I am allowed only two patrols in the company. With the assistance of my Lone Guides I hope to make the company up to full strength in the near future. Mrs. Morrison said the Lone Guide bianeh of the association could in the future depend on the provincial committee for its interest aud support. I Mrs. Sheppard had carried on the work without assistance and deserved thanks. Votes of thanks were passed to Mesdames Hodson, Houston and Sheppard for their work and their reports. New by-laws regarding finance , and orders were passed. Copies of these bylaw’s are to be forwarded to all «district secretaries, who will advise their Guiders. The delegates to represent Taranaki at the Dominion conference in Auckland on November 26 will be Airs, Morrison and Mrs. Houston. The provincial levy’ and Dominion levy were discussed, and districts are to be asked to bear in mind that the provincial levy is due on November 30 and the Dominion levy on March 31 in each year. Proficiency badges and examinations were discussed. It was explained that certificates for these badges must be signed and dated by the examiners, and accompany orders for the badges sent to the provincial secretary. Thrift badge certificates were to be signed and dated by the captain or Brown Owl, who is to see that the conditions are conscientiously adhered to. Airs. Morrison proposed that four badges only might be worn by each child during the year, and that examinations be held once in three months. Mrs. Davis seconded and the motion was passed. Airs Rex Prewster has donated a handsome shield to the Guides in the Taranaki province and this is to be competed for in a swimming competition. Airs. Williams proposed that Mrs. Morrison, Mrs. Hodson and Mrs. Cruikshank should be a committee to wait on Miss Dowling and confer with her about drawing up the conditions for the shield. This was seconded by Mrs. Steven and carried. Votes of thanks were passed to the Press, Dr. Brown, Sister Corkill, the Red Cross’ Society, the Express Company, the examiners for badges, and parents and the public for support. THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE. -= ! MONTHLY MEETING HELD. •The monthly meeting of the district committee of‘the Girl Guides Association was held last night. Present: Mrs. Hodson, Divisional Commissioner (in the chair), Mesdames Deare, Mackey, Chivers, Bullock, Cruickshank, Miss Fairhall. 1 . The secretary reported tnat Miss O’Rorke’s visit'had been a success and very helpful to Brownie officers. It was proposed that in future a combined company birthday party be held annually for Guides and Brownies, the executive committee to assist on each occasion. ■ A vote of sympathy was passed with Mrs. Gray in the death of her father. Alias Harding was appointed to the executive committee.