GIRL GUIDES AT HAWERA

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1930, Page 6

GIRL GUIDES AT HAWERA

REVIEW OF YEAR’S WORK.

STRENGTH OF THE MOVEMENT.

The annual meeting of the Hawera Girl Guide Association was held at Hawera yesterday afternoon, the Divisional Commissioner (Mrs. J. Houston) presiding over a good attendance of committee members, guide officers and others interested in the movement.

The fourth annual report of the president (Mrs. E. A. Pacey) stated that the work during the year had been interesting and satisfactory. Companies and packs wore carrying on most efficiently, and the numbers were being steadily maintained. The report referred to the efficiency of the officers, and congratulated those officers who had been successful ,in obtaining higher warrants. Thanks were extended to Miss M. Quin, who had? been in charge of the Ranger Company during the absence on leave of Mrs. T. F. McKenzie.

It was pleasing to hear' the favourable opinions expressed on the guides’ marching and behaviour at public functions. Badge work was a feature of the work of companies. The Brownies had also done very good work, and their numbers were increasing. Miss Mills’ resignation was regretted, and every good wish was extended to her. During the' absence, owing to ill-health, of Miss Corrigan, the fourth Brownie pack had been carried on by Misses Southcombe and Harding, to whom thanks were extended.

In November last a rally of Taranaki Guides had been held at New Plymouth, and plans had been made to hold one in Hawera for. South Taranaki. It did not eventuate, but it was hoped to hold it next year. It was with regret that the executive recorded the death of one of the captains, Miss Stewart, in March last. Thanks were extended to all who had assisted the Guides during the year, especially committees for the use of halls for parades, St. Mary’s Vestry, St. John’s Church, the Scout hand and Winter Show committees, the Hawera Borough Council for the use of a room, the dog trial committee for a donation, and those ladies and gentlemen who had acted as special instructors and examiners, and'the outgoing committee for loyal support. "Our fourth year of guiding has come to a successful conclusion, and I have very great pleasure in thanking all who have assisted in achieving this,” stated the report of the Divisional Commissioner. “The result could not have been obtained had it not been for the loyal and efficient service of the Guide officers, backed by the excellent committee of the local association. . . .

Tn the president, Mrs. E. A. Pacey, the association has been fortunate in having one with broad sympathies and a great love of children, and she has been ably assisted in carrying out the duties of her office by the district secretary, Mrs. J. N. Henry, who has given a great deal of time to the very onerous duties connected with the work. I have to thank these ladies and their committee for the good work they have done. ...

In Mrs. F. C. King, the Hawera branch has a most efficient district captain, and I would personally thank her for her service in .connection with the three days of training for patrol leaders of the division which was held in Hawera recently. I hope later to arrange further training on the same lines. ... I would urge guiders' to keep up-to-date and bring fresh vigour into their work by attending training weeks and camps organised by headquarters. . . . “During the year the Dominion Guide Camp (the first camp of its kind to be held in New Zealand) was" attended by seven Guide and Brownio officers a\d five patrol leaders, and to these the camp was indeed a great experience and delight, and all returned with a broader outlook and new enthusiasm. Mrs. H. G. Whitehead, Brown Owl .of the second Hawera pack, also attended a conference of Brownie guiders held at Otirnai during the year, under Miss C. O’Rorke. ‘Miss O’Riorke was especially pleased with her work, and on completion of a term of training, Mrs. Whitehead will probably be promoted to the position of Hakoke Owl for the division. The first company’s Easter camp, with Mrs. F. C. King as commandant, Miss Macdonald as quartermaster and Miss Lennon as life-saver, was a great success, and the girls greatly enjoyed the experience. ...

“As soon as the weather becomes more settled, I hope to be able to arrange, with the co-operation of guiders, our first divisional rally. A handsome cup has been received from the Herbert Smith Trust for sports events, and this will be competed. for at this rally. . . . “I would like to appeal to members of the general public to actively support, the work of the Guide officers and committee. A certain amount of monetary assistance is, unfortunately, always necessary, but more desirable.still is the interest and help of the parents and friends of the children who join our companies and packs. The work of the guiders can only be successful where it receives sympathy in the homes. Then, too, there is an ever-increasing demand for young people to take positions as guiders. The work is full of interest and opportunities for service, which is an essential of good citizenship. The public can also advance the work by becoming members of the local association, and thus showing in a practical way that they are .in sympathy with tho three-fold promise of guiding, that of duly to King and country, service for others, and obedience to the 10 planks of the Guide movement —honour, loyalty, usefulness, friendliness, courtesy, kindness to animals, obedience, cheerfulness, thrift, and purity.” Reports of the division captain and of the leaders of tho ranger, Guide and Brownie companies were also road. All the reports and the balance-sheet were adopted.. • ■■ •• •• • Tho election- of officers resulted’ as follows: .President, Mrs. E. A;'Pacey; vice-presidents, Mesdames 11. T. Lovell, R..D. Welsh, J. R. Corrigan, T. A. Kinmont and F. MiV 9 Messrs. H. G. Dickie, M.P. r and J. Houston;

secretary and treasurer, Mrs. J. N. Henry; comprittce, Mesdames J. W. Harding, J. W. Velvin, D. Strachan, W. A. Quin, E. Evans, W. T. Good, G. W. Ashton, L. A. Ablett and F. M. Corder v.