THE GIRL GUIDES.

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19515, 2 March 1935, Page 18 (Supplement)

THE GIRL GUIDES.

GUIDES OF THE NORTH-WEST FRONTIER. The name “ Guide ” Is so ramiliar to us all, with its associations of company meetings, camps, rallies and numerous otiier pleasures, that we seldom give a tnought to that l'amous Indian' Cavalry and imantry Regiment lrom whom it is borrowed. Vet what a thrilling history and atmosphere does it conjure up to those who consider these wardens of the one frontier m our umpire which is perpetually menaced, to here is a story about onem written by a [British P.L.:— It was with special Interest we set out for lloti Jiardan, the headquarters of this renowned corps. We had an armed escort besides our own revolvers with us, to comply with regulations, such precautions being necessary in case the Ked Shirts were feeling uppish, but we drove unmolested down the Grand Trunk ltoad, that wonderful link which run's from one end of India to the other. Mardan is a small and pleasant spot bordered in the single white roses winch bear its name and surrounded by polo grounds of an almost English green. To the right lie’s the native quarter, including a large courtyard, which is the distributing market for silk in that part of India, There innumerable merchants sell their wares brought from Bokhara, Yariand, Kabul and other places in Central Asia at such bargain prices that the buyer is left hesitating and astray among them. First we visited the olllcers’ mess, which is ramed as the home of many unique Greeco-Buddist llnds dug from the neighbouring hill of Takht-a-Bal, stone figures with long-lobed ears which denote holiness, clad In robes purely Grecian In their inspiration and execution. There is a rascination in these reminders of Alexander’s march to the Indus In 327 B.C. They stand amidst portraits and swords belonging to men who centuries later, helped to found another Empire, the British Empire In India. It was-cool and pleasant in the mess, the effect being enhanced by a modern picture of the sea on the opposite wall, which was so realistic that it provided refreshment to tho eyes on a hot Indian afternoon. But time was limited, as the road.home had to be traversed between certain hours only, and we went out'to tho beautifully-kept chapel, full of memorials to soldiers whose names will ever be remembered for the part they played in giving the frontier Its present comparative security. Nearby is a monument commemorating the officers and men of the Corps of Guides who perished through the treachery of the Arglians at Kahul in 1878, and in the churchyard the stones hear record of murders, plagues, skirmishes and sudden deaths, a pathetic reminder of the price of an Empire. such brielly is the home of the Corps of Guides, and one’s thoughts went back by contrast to an old tower now in the grounds of the Afghan Mission Hospital at Peshawar. It was here that the famous Corps made their headquarters in 184 8 with their rounder, Gen, Sir Ilarry Lumsden, when fighting against Avltiblle, tho Italian general In, Sikh pay. It was, in fact, their first mess, and now has been converted by them into a beautiful chapel Tor the use of the mission. Mounting the twisty turret stairs above tho chapel one comes at last ort to a fiat roof and sees the whole Vale or Peshawar surrounded by a semi-circle of magnificent mountains. It is a superb sight nevbr to be forgotten, and at sunset one of all pervading peace. Yet it is a false sense of security. Lire beyond the frontier is a hard struggle for a bare existence. As tho Pathan proverb says: “The hills breed many but keep few,” and it ts these harsh conditions which have produced the virile, warlike and wily tribesmen, to whom fighting is the breath of lire and possibilities of loot an everlasting allure. The history of India down the centuries is the history of the hordes who have swept through these northern passes

by Captain

and conquered the plains Deyond to bo In turn swamped by rresh and victorious Invaders. To-day, with Afghanistan rriendly and. united and the tribal territory being opened up by the peaceful penetration of roads, the menace is less acute, but that it still exists was clearly proved only three years ago when, incited by political re- : llgtous and, above all, plundering motives, the Afridis swarmed against the very walls of Peshawar city beyond the Cantonment. Nor must it be rorgotten that events in Europe repercuss with incredible swir.ness throughout Central Asia and that mls-chief-nkmgers who fail over here may get a read/ hearing in the bazaars. On either side or the frontier the watch never ceases and the Corps or Guides, with the Frontier Force, carries on unobtrusively the work for which it wa3 founded. HOW TO SWIM. XVe are nearing the time when schools hold their annual water sports an'd swimming clubs their annual galas, and it is ever so exciting to be able to compete in these events —but you must train. , Swimming, and lots or It, is the best training exercise, as It develops all the muscles equally, not Just a few sets or muscles. Suppleness an’d buoyance are the chief things, and It is not vital, as In other sports, to reChce all superfluous flesh. Live normally, being careTul not to overstrain or overtire yourself In any way, take plenty of good wholesome fo.od and do not eat much white bread, cakes, pastry, potatoes or sweets. Plain chocolate Is good, though! You must have plenty of sleep at n'lghts and do breathing exercises twice a day for 10 minutes before an open window, to strengthen the heart and

lungs. On the day or the races. have a moderate meal about two 'houis beloie tho event and do not drink a lot Just berme tn< Tbe C Racing Start.— Starting turning are extremely important, because the loss of even a fraction of a second may mean defeat. • , Free Style or Breast-Stroke Start.— Stand crouched, feet a little apart, arms stretched out in front, eyes looking straight ahead. On “ ready,” swing the arms back, raise the body on the balls or the feet. Orr “ go,” spring out swinging the arniJ forward. The dive must only be a shallow one, Just skimming the water, for If you go deep you lose time. Do not begin actually swimming until you feel yoursel. shooting along the surface or tlio water; tf you begin before you have properly risen to the surrace, you check the impetus given by the spring. Back Stroke Start. —You start in the water. Grip the rails with both hands, legs drawn up aird reet pressed against the wall or the bath. On the word “ go ’ straighten the legs with a vigorous push and throw both arms backwards ready for the first stroke. Take a good breath before the push. Turning. Free Style.—Turn whichever side Is the most convenient to you. Put one hand nat against the side of the bath, draw up the legs under the body, sweep the other i arm round to help you turn; you will do I the movement with a swivll, putting your l two feet against the side and giving a good push-oil, face under water, and arms outstretched. Before you turn, you must

get as close to the wall as yon can. It wants a lot of practise and “ timing.” Breast Stroke. —The rule is that you must touch tlie end or the bath or the rail with both hands simultaneously. Draw tip close to the bath end, pulling yourself Inwards by the rail, then turn quickly and push oh as before. Ba'ck Stroke. —When the end of the bath Is reached, turn over face downwards, grasp the rail with one or both hands, pull yourseir close to the bath end and get your feet into position for the push-oh as In the back‘stroke start. You are liable to be disqualified if-you turn on your race too soon', so practise beforehand how many Strokes it takes you, going all out, to do the given distance, or ir the bath or course is strange to you, choose some object above you . near the end which you cat* watch to guide you. DID YOU KNOW? That as a Trog eats his very large and beautiful eyes will close? Tills enables him to swallow. The tip of a frog’s tongue Is very sticky and once he catches the fly or slug he fancies for his dinner, it wifi be impossible for tt to escape. To find frogs look under shrubs and tufts of green foliage, in the dry weather they bide under these, but when it is cold they will sometimes bury themselves in mud. Tadpoles can only live in water, but the old frogs seldom vitis it, although they like moist places and marshy land. The croacking of several frogs around ponds ail'd ditches is said to foretell wet weather.