THE GIRLS’ LIFE BRIGADE

Evening Star, Issue 23384, 29 September 1939, Page 12

THE GIRLS’ LIFE BRIGADE

[By Captain] Motto: “To Save Life.” MESSAGE FROM THE DOMINION CHAPLAIN. Greetings to you all. I want first of all to say “ Thank you ” for the honour the executive has conferred upon me in asking me to be your chaplain. As there are quite a number of Maori branches already in. existence, and others in the course of formation, perhaps there is something appropriate in asking the Maqri bishop to occupy that position for a term. Although my life is a very busy one, travelling as I do all over New Zealand to visit the members of my Maori flocks, perhaps this will be an advantage, as it will bring me into personal touch with the G.L.B. branches amongst both races all over the Dominion. I hope officers will get into contact with me whenever they hear of my presence in their respective districts. Sometimes, of course, it may be impossible to arrange meetings when I.could meet members of the G.L.B. as a whole, but it may be possible to meet seme of the officers, and so have that personal touch which is so helpful. I hope the G.L.B. will so develop tjjat it may go on from strength to strength. But, remember, quality is so muph more important than quantity. Mere is a striking old Maori proverb about trees which says, “ Ruia taitoa, kia tu ko' Taikaka anake,” which_ in English means “ Shake off the pith, that nothing but the heart remains.” There is a parallel old English saying which runs, “ Hearts of oak are our men.”

Will each of you in the coming period of the movement shako off the pith, the waik things that are paltry, the externals, anvthing contrary to the vrall of God? Will you examine yourselves occasionally and see whether you are pith or heart ? I was very much impressed one day Ln reading the epitaph on a girl’s grave which was as follows:—“It was bo much easier to be good while she was with us.” What a striking testimonial to a good girl’s character. She was heart, not merely pith. She must have been one of those who had measured up to the fourth aim of the G.L.8., “to dedicate all their powers to the service of God.” I pray that God’s blessing may rest upon all members of the G.L.8., and that the lesson of that Maori proverb will not be soon forgotten. Be so keen and earnest in the movement that each of you may be likened to the heart of the tree and not the pith.—Your sincere friend and chaplain, F. A. Bennett, Bishop of Aotearoa.

BATTALION CHURCH PARADE. On the occasion of the visit of Miss Busfield, Dominion secretary of the G.L.8., a battalion church parade will be held at First Church on Sunday, October 8, at the evening service. All girls, in full uniform, are asked to meet a* the Queen’s Gardens at 6 o’clock. It is hoped that a large number of officers and girls will be present. At the close of the service a rally will be held in the hall in order to enable .the girls to hear Miss Busfield.

OFFICERS’ TRAINING CLASSES. Miss Busfield will conduct training classes for officer's during the week-end of her visit. The first will be held on the evening of her arrival, Saturday, October 7, when officers will meet at 4.45 for tea. Further particulars will be given nest week. Those wishing to learn shell flower work should bring shells previously prepared, if possible. They should be soaked in vinegar and the blemishes scraped off. Dry thoroughly and polish with olive or castor oil. Fine shells, such as small fan shells, are the most suitable. There will ba a question box at this meeting, and officers are requested to have their questions ready. COMPANY NOTES. 7th Dunedin Company, (North-east

Valley Presbyterian).—There has been a very good attendance at parade during the past weeks, a. full attendance being recorded on one occasion. The juniors continue to do handwork and signalling, while the seniors have been practising bandaging for their first aid badge. Physical culture has occupied a good part of the time. Ou Saturday the girls formed a guard of honour on the occasion of the marriage of Miss Buchanan, formerly captain of the company and adjutant of the battalion. Her husband has also taken a keen interest in the work of the company, and we wish Mr and Mrs Smith every happiness in their new. life.