GIRL GUIDES

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1931, Page 2

GIRL GUIDES

TARANAKI EXECUTIVE MEETS ANNUA L REPORTS PRESENTED. CONS IDE KAITION OF REMITS. Tiie annual meeting of the Taranaki Provincial .Executive of the Girl Guides Association was held in New Plymouth yesterday. Mrs. D. K. Morrison presided, others present being Mrs. Houston Gli' isional commissioner for iSoutli. Taranaki), Mrs. Steven (district commissioner for Stratford), Mrs. AVatt (district commissioner for Opunake), Mrs. Broad (district commissioner for New Plymouth), Mrs. Hcssell (Kaponga), Mrs. Guv (Kaponga), Mrs. G. Dick (Stratford). Mrs. Wade (New Plymouth), Airs. Everiss (New Plymouth), Mrs. Smith (Opunake) and Mrs. N. B. Bellringer (provincial secretary). "I have to report that all the companies in the South Taranaki Division are working well,” stated Mrs. Houston, in presenting the annual report of the South Taranaki Division. ‘'Although the numbers both of Guides and of Brownies have dropped considerably for the year, mainly through the closing down of three companies and three packs in Hawera, I am quite well satisfied with the year’s progress. There are 101 Guides, 20 Guiders and 74 Brownies in the division.” • “The Patea association is a very active one, and it has two good companies and a Brownie pack. One of the companies is at Alton and is known as 2nd Patea Company. The captain the Ist Patea Company, Mrs. Prescott, has unfortunately been ill for the greater part of the year, and in her absence the running of the company devolved upon the two lieutenants, Misses Vera Shield ajid Ruth Findlay, who fulfilled their duties very satisfactorily. The company has been working for proficiency badges, and a high standard has been observed. The Patea Brownie pack was unfortunate in losing its Brown Owl, Miss Hamcrton, who had to resign owing to pressure of private business. The pack has, however, been competently carried on by Miss Tong, Tawny Owl, asisted by Miss Kuhfus as pack leader. There is a roll of 32 Brownies. Miss Lysaght, Brown Owl, Hawcra, visited the pack during the year and spoke very highly of their work. “The 2nd Patea Company, Alton, was efficiently carried on by Miss Alice Gibb, acting-captain, and Misses Burnand and Robbins as lieutenants. There is a roll of 12 Guides, and this little country company does good work. “During the latter part of the year the four Hawera companies were amalgamated under one head, with Miss Patricia Lennon as acting captain, and Misses M. Macdonald and Constance Free as lieutenants. There is an exceedingly good spirit in the company and the girls are showing great keenness in their work. There are now 32 on the roll. Many of the girls are interesting themselves in the various proficiency badges, tjid many have been won during the year. The principal badges gained have been Health, Ambulance, Domestic Service, House Orderly, Nature Lover, Thrift, Child Nurse and Needlewoman. “The four Brownie packs were also amalgamated under one control, with Miss Edna Free Brown Owl and Misses Sylvia Lysaght and Isabel Baker as Tawny Owls. Mrs. Whitehead is relieving Owl, and she hopes to sit for her Laughing Owl paper in a few weeks’ time. MANATA AND OPUNAKE GUIDES. The Manaia and Opunake companies and pack were reported on by the district commissioner, Mrs. T. N. AVatt. “During the year,” she said, “the annual divisional patrol leaders’ conference was conducted by Miss Mona Burgin. The training extended over a period of four days, and was much enjoyed by the 27 leaders who attended from Alton, Hawera, Manaia and Opunake. Invitations were extended to Kaponga and Stratford, who sent in leaders to the various sessions. I consider this annual conference and training is very helpful to the patrol leaders, and a spirit of camaraderie and friendship is formed between the leaders of the different companies, Miss Burgin was very pleased with the keenness shown by the girls and by the Guiders who were able to attend. “Last month three Hawera guiders attended Miss Burgin’s training week at Otimai, and have returned filled with fresh ardour for their work and a new vision of the power of Guiding. I considered it very necessary to make it possible for the Hawera Guiders to attend Miss Burgin’s training week, and, at the suggestion of Airs. Wilson, financed them out of the local association funds. I wrote to the other local associations in the division, suggesting that they might be able to finance their guiders in the same way, but, in view of the difficulty of raising funds at present, they did not see their way to do so. However, I am hopeful that the Guiders who have received this training will be able to help the Guiders in the division who were not fortunate enough in being, able to attend Miss Burgin's training. “In December the Palea local association is arranging a display of handcrafts and cookery and have invited the Guides of the division to send in entries. A concert will bo held in the evening. This is an excellent idea, and I hope that the division will be well represented at the exhibition. “A divisional rally was held during the year, and the various entries were enthusiastically competed for. I have to thank the various ladies and gentlemen who acted as examiners in the different events. “The Hawera Ranger, Guide and Brownie flower show was very successful. This event is an annual one and is looked forward to by the girls, who take a great interest in the floral work, cookery and handcraft sections. “The division was well represented at the AVellington rally of welcome to the Chief Scout and Chief Guide, Lord and Lady Baden-Powell.” REPORT ON MANAIA COMPANY. Mrs. Watt reported that the Guides on the Manaia roll numbered 22, and there were four new recruits. The girls were working for proficiency badges and taking home nursing classes from .Sister Ingles. The finances were healthy, and the formation of a Brownie pack was suggested. A meeting had been called to form a Brownie pack, but no mothers attended. The Guides on the Opunake roll numbered 21. Nine girls bad gained second class- and four were sitting for first class. Five were going for second class, and several for proficiency. The discipline was excellent and the attendance was good, but the finance was only fair. There were 17 Brownies on the roll, but their attendance was poor. Seven were going for second class. The reports of the New Plymouth division and of other companies, which have already been published, were received. A remit "'That. «■ it b a view to increasing the number of executive

the annual subscription be reduced from as. to 2s. fid. a member per annum,” was pasised. . Another remit, “That m view of the present financial pressure the annual provincial levy of £3 3s. be reduced to £2 2s. for the smaller districts, where it is difficult to raise money,” was lost. Both the above remits were from the Manaia branch. •It was reported that a new Guide company had been formed at Toko. The balance-sheet was read and. adopted. It was decided to apply for two more Herbert Smith Trust cups, one to be awarded for swimming and. one for athletics. It was reported that Taranaki, represented by the New Plymouth Company, had come fifth in the competition for the Jellieoe Shield for ambulance work. Southland was first, Nelson second, Canterbury third and Wellington fourth. Otago came sixth and Auckland seventh. It was resolved to write to headquarters asking that particulars of the Lady Alice Fergusson Cup competitions be forwarded earlier, to give a better opportunity of preparing. Regarding the Brewster Shield for swimming, Miss Dowling, who sets the papers, asked that all companies compete if possible. 'She also asked that the names of competitors be forwarded, to her- as early as possible. ■lt was reported that the New Plymouth Borough Council had agreed to put a road down to the camp reserve on the Avery trust land. A vote of thanks was passed to the auditor, Mr. K. F. Fookes. The hon. secretary, Mrs. N. B. Bellringer, intimated that she wished to relinquish office, but eulogistic reference was made to her very efficient service, and she was persuaded to continue in office, at any rate, until the end of the year.