WAR A STIMULUS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 92, 15 October 1940, Page 11

WAR A STIMULUS

WORK OF GIRL GUIDES

YEAR REVIEWED

The annual report of the Girl Guides' Association, Wellington Province, presented at the annual meeting yesterday, states that the numbers of Guides, Brownies, and Guiders had increased again this . year, but that there . had been a decline in the numbers of Rangers. Everywhere the war has proved a great stimulus to Guiding, and further companies and packs would be formed if more Guiders could be found.

"Definite progress has been made in camping this season," states the report. ■ "There have been more camps than ever before and more Guiders have come forward to help in them. More and more Guides are trying for the camping badges and' though not many of these have been earned, the standard is rising. The holding of the Centennial camp in this province was an incentive, and besides this there were 26 small camps during the season. The Waikanae site is still very useful and popular.

"Before war was declared, a register of Guiders and Rangers over 18 pre^ pared to offer their services in case of national emergency was compiled," continues the report, "and Guides and Guiders have responded splendidly to any opportunities that have come their way. The whole province contributed splendidly to the national appeal for clothing for the Polish and Finnish Guides. A large consignment of wellmade garments was forwarded to Dominion headquarters. Sewing for refugees is still proceeding. In Empire Guide Gift Week, £157 17s 8d was contributed by Wellington- Province towards the Dominion total of £1000. Guides are engaged in the collection and sorting of scrap metals and in knitting woollies for the Merchant Seamen. We hope that the Women's War Service Auxiliary may make use of our services."

The report also stated that Brownie revels, athletic, and swimming sports all formed part of the year's programme, which, combined with war activities, had been a full one. There were still four Guide and one Ranger companies, all of which had worked satisfactorily, and a Guide and a Ranger company had been started in connection with the Manawatu branch of the Crippled Children Association.

Thanks were extended to a number of people who had helped financially and in other ways, Mrs. Morice being specially thanked for the use of her room for Guide purposes over a long period.