GIRL GUIDES’ CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 89, 6 July 1927, Page 14

GIRL GUIDES’ CORNER

This week Paddle Carver has given me some interesting material to pon--der and I am sure you would like to hear her opinion on “The Duty of a Patrol Leader.” She writes: “It is perhaps a difficult task for the captain to choose a really good patrol leader. The work of a leader is not all play. A guide with a cheery smile, a little discipline, keenness and brightness, is just what is needed. Upon her rests the responsibility of her squad and she should wish to make it a happy and cheerful “It is her duty therefore to see that the guides under her are entering into the guide-spirit and are ready to obey her commands. If the leader has the true guide spirit her patrol will follow her footsteps. ‘How proud I shall be if my patrol comes top,’ she will say to herself, ‘for I have tried so hard this month.’ A patrol can never be a really splendid one without a splendid leader. She can not excel in all things, but she can do her best, remembering at all times to ‘.keep smiling.’ ” Shining Paddle has forwarded the following description of a “Patrol Hike”: It was on a glorious day during the summer months when a patrol of cheery, singing girl guides, with small haversacks on their backs, went tramping over the sparkling green fields and scaled the fences in high glee. “Hurrah, chorused the happy party, as the sea came into sight. “We shall soon b© there.” The journey finished and a suitable picnic spot located, the girls were soon enjoying a refreshing dip. Dinner was the next item, then followed a discussion on what would happen next. Several of the girls set off to explore an old launch which was stranded some distance out, while the rest proceeded to climb a bush-clad hill to seek the view. The launch proved very interesting, as it was said that an old sailor had left it there some time before and whether he intended returning for it was quite unknown. Many exciting tracking games were plaved during the afternoon and once again the fires were crackling merrily, boiling the billies for afternoon tea. Specimens of New Zealand trees were then searched for, as the guides were keeping nature diaries. Dusk was beginning to fall and a patrol of tired but extremely happy girls retraced their steps towards the busy life of the city, with the satisfaction of knowing that guiding affords tbe best and jolliest sport that anyone could possibly desire. And from Red Star: ‘•I have just been glancing through my collection of Wigwam pages which 1 keep each week. I find it is just 10 weeks since I first became a Brave and I know I shall never regret having become one of the children of Redfeather. “There is a bunch cf yellow prim-, roses on the table before me as I write, and they remind me of the guide patrol to which I belong. “I am looking forward to reading the word of Sitting Bull, the Sioux, and hope that he will make himself known before many moons pass away. “Farewell, Great Chief Redfeather. I must once again steal down the rainmoist path that leads -away from the Wigwam. My visit for this week is over, and the flap has fallen behind me. . . . With salutations to the Chiefs and Braves, both old and new. . . . Your loyal Brave, Red Star.” We must congratulate Silver Ripple, of St. Francis Company, for having won her ambulance and needlewoman s badges with honours. Basketball is now the order of the day and the Guide-Braves should keep in practice as the tournament will shortly be held. —REDFEATHER.