THE GRAND RALLY AND PAGEANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 209, 23 November 1927, Page 6

THE GRAND RALLY AND PAGEANT

"Robin Hood is here again: all his merry thieves Hear a ghostly bugle note shivering through the leaves, Calling as he used to call, faint and far away, In Sherwood, in Sherwood, about the break of day.” v The spirit of the past came down through the ages and linked hands with the present, when some thousands of delighted spectators assembled at the Domain, last Saturday, to witness the Grand Rally and Pageant.

staged by the Guides and Brownies of the Auckland District.

Preparations had been in hand for some months for this, the largest and most spectacular performance yet held by Girl Guide Companies in the Dominion, and so perfectly trained were the participants that each item was carried out without a flaw. The proceedings were opened by the arrival of the Chief Commissioner for New Zealand, Mrs. W. R. Wilson, who, with Dr. Margaret Kni&ht, Auckland Provincial Commissioner, the Auckland District Commissioners, and visiting Commissioners from the South, took up her position on a dais before which the girls of the Wikitoria Company extended a welcome in true Maori fashidn. Then followed the breaking of colours and the formation of a living trefoil, this proving a spectacular and popular item. Next, the Brownies — each excited mite the possessor of a gaily-coloured balloon—performed the ceremony of welcome, this feature being followed by the March Past of Guides, Cadets and Rangers. The procession was headed by Miss Mona Burgin, who was in charge of the Rally, and the salute was taken by the Chief Commissioner as each company filed past. Loud applause greeted the appearance of Miss J. Bentley and Miss Tv. Morrison, who were awarded medals in recognition of life-saving, and the cheering burst forth anew when the Kohn Cup, for general merit in Guide work, was presented to the Cavell Company, the members of which were later photographed with their trophy. Hakas, gymnastics, and remarkable living pyramids were staged by the Maori boys of St. Stephen’s College, and these called forth warm applause from the onlookers. An overhead ball game was cleverly carried out by Guides and the field then cleared for the Pageant. Slowly, gracefully, a bevy of Gre-

LINKING THE OLD WITH THE NEW

cian goddesses came into view, stepping to a haunting rhythm that might well have called them down from the very heights of Olympus. They represented physical fitness, one of the outstanding aims of Guiding. In perfect symmetry they stepped and swayed, then departed in abandon fingering imaginary pipes. Then came King Arthur and his faithful Knights to demonstrate the ideal of Chivalry. A realistic duel freed a damsel from the clutches of a Black Knight, and she found succour

at the hands of King Arthur and his subjects, the unworthy one being led off, with bowed head, a prisoner. The sudden explosion of a bomb was the signal for a performance of B’irst Aid Rescue work (and also for a scurry of photographers to the vicinity). Spectators witnessed a fine exhibition of bandaging and stretcher-work, this illustrating the motto, “Be Prepared.” Suddenly the atmosphere became charged with all the mystery and romance of Sherwood forest itself, as the Merry Men, in their green jerkins and scarlet caps and hose, came running from the greenwood at the call of Robin Hood. These romantic figures were symbolic of the Great-Out-Doors, and proved themselves no mean archers as the target later disclosed. As they discharged their arrows, a diversion occurred in another part of the field, trek-carts arriving with all equipment for a complete camp. In less time than it take to tell, a formidable canvas town had sprung up, the billy was boiling on a merrilyburning fire, and the Commissioners were inspecting the five tents, erected by the separate companies. Striking camp was carried out in the same brisk fashion, the girls filing off behind the reladen trek-carts as though such affairs were but matters of a moment. Soon the gay ribbons of the maypole were fluttering in the air, that people might not forget the lighter element of play. Maids, in mob caps and fine sprigged muslin, joined hands with “swains” in comely smocks, and tripped a joyous measure, while adjacent stood another maypole about which girls, in Guide uniform, danced in time, to demonstrate how the carefree spirit of the village green yet influences the movement. A delightful exhibition of Folk Dancing, the impressive formation of a gigantic horseshoe, which included all performers, and the singing of the Guide hymn, “Taps,” brought a memorable demonstration to a close.