GIRL GUIDES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 243, 13 October 1937, Page 2

GIRL GUIDES

WANGANUI ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT At tlie annual meeting of tjie Wanganui Girl Guidos’ Association held at the home of Mrs A. H. E. Wall, Campbell Street, last evening the following report was presented:— “This year we have three Brownie packs and nine Guide companies. There are 54 Brownies, 150 Guides and 22 Guiders, making a total of 226. The number of proficiency badges gained was 70. There were no firstclass badges awarded.

“Owing to the infantile paralysis epidemic the summer break was an exceptionally long one, and we lost a great number of our senior Guides. We now have a big influx of young and enthusiastic girls, but since this year began so late in practice and closed so early for the report (i.e., July 31) our numbers appear less than Is really the case. This year we have gained seven new Guiders—with one exception these are all ex-Guiders and their past experience should help them considerably with their work. “It was with regret that our Ranger Company was closed. As I was unable to find suitable Guiders for this rather specialised company it was the only thing to do. St. Paul’s Company was also closed after the sudden death of the captain, but the Guides nave all joined other companies. St. Paul’s and Ingestre Street Baptist Brownie packs have also been closed owing to the small number oi Brownies. The remaining Brownies in these two packs have also been absorbed into others. With the closing of these packs we lost Miss Nelson and Miss Simpson.

“We have also lost several other Guiders this year. Miss Ziesler left for England to be married In December. She was captain of first the Clifton House Company and then the Girls’ College Company. Miss Ziesler’s departure was a very definite loss to Wanganui Guiding, but I was lucky enough to have Miss Brinkman and Miss Burnett to take her place in the Girls’ College Company, as captain and lieutenant, respectively. “Miss Featherstone, also, gave up the Christ Church pack to take up teaching. She still, however, assists in Guide activities where she can. Miss Munro and Miss Alexander have now taken over this pack. They are both Rangers. “Miss Constance Bcaven, of the Castlecliff Company, is having six months leave of absence, owing to the pressure of her studies. Miss Joyce Wilson has taken over the captaincy of this company.

“None of the new Guiders have, as yet obtained their warrants. The majority are taking the correspondence course issued by headquarters through the diplomaid Guiders and I hope will shortly sit for their warrants.

“Miss Soeberg, owing to pressure of work, resigned her position as district captain. I was more than sorry to lose her services for she has done more for Guiding than anyone else in Wanganui. I wish to express my sincere thanks for all she has done in that capacity. I have not appointed a new district captain as I felt that all Guiders had enough to do, without this extra work. Each Guider has taken her turn at different pieces of organisation and I have found this quite a satisfactory arrangement. “In September two Brown Owls attended Brownie training at Nga Tawa. This was taken by Miss Aspinall. from Australia.

“On December 6 we held our Anzae toy service. This year we changed from an indoor service to a Guides’ Own at Tirohanga. The service was arranged by Miss Ziesler and conducted by Mrs Martin Tweed, who came specially from Wellington. The Queen Alexandra Band kindly played the hymns and incidental music. Several large hampers of toys were sent to the social welfare officer at the Public Hospital for distribution at Christmas. Fortunately the day was gloriously fine and the outdoor service was, though simple, most impressive. “In March the Guides’ Coronation message passed through Wanganui and every Guide had the opportunity of carrying this message on its way and of seeing the Mayor affix his seal. “A week’s Coronation celebrations were arranged in May, but owing to the continuance of the infantile epidemic the church service and camp fire had to be postponed. Most companies and packs, however, managed to hold a special national company meeting and to do some form of public service. The Guiders took part in the civic celebrations in Cook’s Gardens.

On the King's Birthday all companies spent the day at Tirohanga. Tracking and woodcraft games made up most of the programme, whidti was arranged by Miss Brown. “I wish to thank our president, Miss Montgomery Moore, our honorary auditor, Mr Silk, all badge examiners, our provincial commissioner, Mr.-s Martin Tweed, our divisional commissioner, Mrs Wall, and the members of the Queen Alexandra Band for their interest and practical help during the year. Further, lam most grateful to our district secretary, Miss Iris Soeberg, our proficiency badge secretary, Miss Burnett, and all association and committee members and Guiders for their very loyal help and co-operation.”