GIRL GUIDES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3636, 10 May 1927, Page 4

GIRL GUIDES.

MISS DENT’S ANNUAL REPORT.

In the month of March, 1926, several /'iris approached Miss Browning to see if she would start a Girl Guide Company in Foxton. This was accomplished, the first company meeting taking place on March 24th, 1926. After a while Miss Browning sailed for England, the company then passing into my hands. The company was registered on May 13th, 1926, which date marks the official beginning of our company. Captain Vasey, of Palmerston North, visited us on June 3rd, and enrolled over thirty girls as guides. This was our first pai - ade in uniform and was a very pleasing sight. In June we started our Court of Honour, which is a body consisting of Patrol Leaders, seconds and officers. This body manages the affairs of the company. I should like to point out, before passing on, the great educative value of this Court of Honour. Firstly it is good to train girls how to work on committees, secondly to take up secretarial work and thirdly it is good for them to hold a position of honour and to have the responsibility of running their own affairs. Those girls keen on tlieir second class work came hack on Thursdays for special instruction in signalling by Mr. H. Hornblow. We •ire very grateful to Mr. Hornblow, who gave up his time to help us along with our work. Church parades have been taken at various times. Early in our company life, Dr Wyllie kindly visited us and gave us an address on simple first aid. This was a great help to those <drls who were sitting for their second class badges. Miss Ivcbbell visited us in September passing seven girls'for second class tests. In December we received an invitation from the Ist Levin Company to join their camps at Oliau. On March 4th, the Guides journeyed to Palmerston North, to take their part in welcoming the Duke and Duchess of York. Miss Kebbell, our District Commissioner, paid us an official visit on April 13th. After inspecting our company, Miss Kebbell gave us iome very helpful suggestions. Owing to the large toll of lives oiu local river has taken we decided to take Life' Saving drill during our company meetings, thus equipping our girls with the knowledge of how to save those in difficulties in the water and the treatment of the apparently drowned. Various picnics have been taken during our first year. On Saturday April 23rd, the Honesty Patrol entertained the Guides, Scouts, Biownies and other friends. Two gills viz., Margaret Tyer and Melva Yorke were awarded their entertainers badges by Mr. D. R. Barron, who acted as judge. These are the first girls to obtain proficiency badges in our company. Our present company consists of twenty-seven Guides and twelve requits and two Lieutenants who by their merits have risen to such a place of honour. Hazel Spring, one of our original guides has risen to the position of Tawney Owl, the equivalent rank to that of a Lieutenant. I cannot close, however, without a word of thanks to Mr. Mason and the school committee, who granted us the use of the school. Our thanks are also due to Miss Kebbell, District Commissioner, Dr. Wyllie and Mr. H. Hornblow, who have materially assisted the movement. In conclusion I should like to thank our Ladies’ Committee who have been so helpful in the matter of uniforms and in the support of all our enterprises. To the parents of Foxton, I should like to express my thanks for your hearty co-operation in this new work, also for the encouragement you have given your girls in equipping them for a nobler and a better life. BROWNIES REPORT. During the term ending May 2nd, 1927, the Brownies have successfully passed the initial stages and have become established. The Brownie Pack was formed by Miss Browning and carried On by Miss Dent till July last, when Mrs. Stanley took charge. We continued working on the lines begun by Miss Browning in preparing for the Recruit Test, On September 29th, a very pleasant ceremony was performed at the school When Miss Kebbell enrolled Mrs. Stanley as a Guide and seventeen girls passed the reex-uit stage and were enrolled as Brownies. Of these seventeen Brownies, one has now joined the Guides. Fifteen obtained uniforms in February last. \Vfe now have sixteen girls in uniforms, and one Brownie not in uniform while three girls have lately joined the movement and are studying for the Recruit Test, making a total of nineteen girls with an average attendance of fifteen. On April 10th, the three sixers passed the Second Class test while thirteen other girls are waiting for an opportunity to be examined. During the term the Brownies have attended church parades on three occasious and journeyed to Palmerston North on 4th March to see the Duke and Duchess of York. On Anzac Day they attended memorial services in the Town Hall and later placed a wreath on the monument. In concluding I wish to thank all who have helped during the year, especially Mr. Mason and the school committee who have allowed us the use of the school and have done everything in their power to promote the movement, the Girl Guides committee and other ladies for helping with the uniforms, and the parents for their splendid co-operation during the whole period.