THE GIRL GUIDES

Marlborough Express, Volume LX, Issue 232, 1 October 1926, Page 7

THE GIRL GUIDES

4 NEWS AND NOTES OF INTFJREST. NAMES OF RECENT BADGE WINNERS.

(By

"Guicler.")

The Girl Guides have had a rather strenuous time of late preparing fbr the visit of their Excellencies the Governor-General and the Lady Alice Fergusson, and in attending parades and oeremonial functions connected with the vice-regal visit. The Lady Alice is Dominion, Presidlent of tho movement, and the Guid'es here have heen greatly encouraged by the words of praise bestowed upon them by their Excellencies. The vice-regal visit has had a very helpful influence upon tlie Guicle movement locally — an influence whioh will cont'er a benefit as long as the visit is remembered, for the parents of Guides and the general public will probably have been brought to a clearer understanding of tlie real merit of the movement from the xpeeches made by their E!xcellencies both at Picton and Blenheim. They indioated what Guide teaching really means, and emphasised its Empire aspect. It is an interesting fact that the presentation of badges by the Lady Alice at the College grounds was the first occasion upon which lier ExceU lency liad performed that ceremony, so she will have good reasori to remember tlie Blenheim Guides, Owin,g to so many "casualties" occnrring amongst tlie Guides in tlie Square on tlie morning of the Gover-nor-General' s civic welcome, His Excellency requested that the girls should be allowecl to sit down during the ceremony at the College, as soon as the inspection by Her Excellency was over. Tliis kindly consideration will commend itself to the hearts of all parents. At the oonclusion of the presentation of badges, the Guides were i 11spected by their Excellencies, who both expressed great pleasure and congratulation at the smart appearance of the three companies, and their officers. The Provincial Commissioner (Mrs G. T. Seymour) suggested that a great share of the credit of the way in Which the Guides were turned out was due to the parents in providing tlie neat uniforms, which, in many cases, were made by the mothers themselves. Mr Victor L. Powell and Mr J. E. Barnard liave also been staunch friends to the movement, putting in many hours in training tlie girls in

parade drill. Their steadiness and soldierly bearing 011 parade were due in a great measure to the helpfulness of these offioers. Lieut. Nancy MMkiiison has 10signed frouj No. 2 Company and has joined No. 3 in tho same capacity. Captain Jean Wanden, who trained under Lady Marjorie Dalrvmple, is staying with Mrs H. C. Madsen in Picton for a week hclping C'aplBetty Knell and Lieut. Madsen prepare tlie Picton company for enrollnent. The badges presented by Her Excellency whilst in Blenheim included: Dfiirymaid Baclge, Captain Pattie and Patrol-leadier Glaclys Rogers; Landworkers Badge, Captain Pattie ; Clerk Badge, Lieut. Laura Ford. Through . an unfortunate oversi,ght, the Ambulaiice and Sicknursing Badges won by Captain anden had not been order d from Auckland in timo, and tlie Employnient Badge, won by Lieut. Laura Ford had not arrived and they could not be preseiited by the Lady Alice. Need loss to say, tliis ea used great clisappointmept ; but the E'ighth Guide Law was nevertheless observed — "Cheerfulness under all conditioiis." Second-class test badges were won by the following, and were received from tlie hands qf Her Excellency: — No. 1 Company : Lieut. Merle Moore, Patrol-leader Nancy. A ireal, Guides Mary O'Leary, Margaret AVhiteford, Phillis Thomson, Lillie Baillie, Ethel Yiggars, Franees Ford, Pearl Gilbert, Franees Oampbell, and Marjorie Cook. No. 2 Company: Captain Pauline Bennett, Patrol-leaders Leonie Whiteford, Isabel Bown, Joan RioKardson, and Cara Evatt, Guides Elizabetli Bown, Jean Wilkins, Margaret Churchward. and Bery] Leslie. No. 3 Company : Lieut. Nancy Wilkinson and Ursula Maitbews, Patrol-leEfders Betty Di'awbridge, and Bettv Rudd. and Guides Oarrie McBetb, Diana Graoe, Peggy Furness, EJdie Mills, Beena Mills, Irfe Watson, Nina Mitchell. The results achieved at the exa.111inations were cause for congratulation for all concerned. The badges that are being worked for by those who have passed their second-class test are all awarded for useful knowledge which sliould be of real value to the Guides and tlie coniinunity. For instanoe, tlie winners of the Dairy mai d badges had to pass a very stiff examinatian, and the winners of the Clerks badge, also, tlie papers in each case being set by.men who knew the, subject thorouglily. It niav he mentioned that the Provincial Commissioner would be gratefnh for help

from nien and women competent to examine for badge work. Thanks Hre_ already due to those who liave ussisted so far. A word regarding the administrative side of the Guide movement may be in season. it was the object of the founder or the movement to spread the work out as much as possible 011 the priuciple that active participation would promote deeper interest. Therefore, it was not intended that all the work should fall 011 one pair o'f shoulders, but should be borne by many. That is why there are so many positions in the Guide movement. To begin with there. is the Provincial Commissioner, then the Provincial Secretary, then, the local association with a president and vice-presidents, from which are elected an executivo comniittee which meets regulaiiy. Lurther, there are tlie captains, lieutenants, patrol-leaders and seconds. It is hoped ro back up this orgaiiisaiion with a committee of parents to each company. The time is now about here when Guides should be giving attention to the matter of summer kit. The weather is beconiing altogether too warm for the thick flannel uniforms ahid thin bllfe gingham will soon be the prder. The cost of the change will not be heavy, and the winter uniform should be catefully put away for next year.