GIRL GUIDES’ CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 943, 9 April 1930, Page 14

GIRL GUIDES’ CORNER

Bronze Wing reports for the Cavell Company: “Owing to starting the year a little later than usual it was decided to have our first ceremonial for the year on April 2. “We were very fortunate in obtaining the services of Miss Thomson, from St. Cuthbert’s, who is to be our Lieutenant for a time. “Our first meeting (February 12) was a very jolly one, the main items being pole drill and group work. The company divided into three sections for Second Class, Ambulance and Sick Nurse badges. “On February 2S the Epsom District swimming sports were held, and Cavell Guides were successful in winning the Cup. “It was decided to hold a hike on Saturday, March S, and some of our company' met at Buckland Road at 2 o’clock and then proceeded to Waikowhai. The following morning a church parade was held. “The patrol swimming sports were held on March 14, the Holly patrol heading the list. “A leaders’ and seconds’ week-end hike was held on Friday, March 21, at Mahia, where we were trained for part of the First Class tests. “At our ceremonial three Brownies and two new recruits were enrolled, and a leader and a second were invested. Service stars and badges were also presented. •’Next Saturday we are having a hike for those training for First Class.” * * * Dawn Cloud sends the following Kakamai news: “Our annual swimming sports were held at the beginning of March. Although we were unable to take any place in the finals we were successful in coming second in the Eden District. “A combined camp of Ranger and Guide leaders, with their respective captains, took place on March 22 and 23. We were favoured with beautiful weather, which enhanced the pleasure of our swimming, there being a very nice bathing pool. ••On Sunday afternoon we had Court of Honour and later a service was held. ■On March 29 we celebrated our sixth anniversary by holding a birth-

day party, at which the Kakamai Brownies, Guides and Rangers were present. In the afternoon the Rangers entertained the Brownies at Potter’s Park. Games were played which the Brownies thoroughly enjoyed, and later races were arranged in which they all took part. Then all *returned to the hall in readiness for tea, before which the Guides held a ceremonial. One of the Guides went up to Rangers. The company leader, three leaders and the seconds were invested. Many service stars and badges were given out. “At tea-time two presentations were made to the Rangers, the first being a Union Jack surmounted by the Ranger badge, this being a gift from the committee. The Guides’ present consisted of a heater and kettle, for use in the Rangers’ Den. After the presentations the candles were lit on each of the three separate cakes, for Rangers, Guides and Brownies, and the lights were turned out until the candles had burnt down. Then the cakes were cut and distributed, and we all wished each other many happy returns of the day. “At 7.30 the visitors arrived and | were entertained with games and com- i petitions. The Rangers gave two very enjoyable items. Then supper was handed round and, before parting, the Rangers and Guides formed a horseshoe with the visitors between them and sang ‘Taps.’ Then we went home feeling that we had had a very happy and successful birthday party.” Dream Cloud, of the Arohanui Company, writes:—• “The first meeting for 1930 was held on February 22, when preparations for a Guide and Brownie garden fete were made. The fete was a great success, and the takings were a little over £3O. “On March 8 we started work in earnest. Great was the excitement when Captain told us that we would be going, to Otimai the first week-end in April. We have been looking forward to this for a long time, so it came as welcome news. “We attended the Eden District Swimming sports and also the finals on March 17. Although by no victorious we have promised Captain , that we will practise swimming, and we hope to be well to the fore in the sports next year. “The ‘flying-up’ ceremony was performed on March 22, when Meryl Harvey and Gloria Grayson, of the Arohanui Pack, flew up to the Guides. Great was our sorrow when we heard that Jean Schofield (Love Song) had left us to join the Kakamai Rangers. “At Christmas Captain presented the company with a silver cup for patrol competition. The Poppies won it for December and, as no patrol competition is being held till April, they still hold it. The matter of changing patrol emblems for New Zealand ones is being discussed. “Church parade with the Brownies, Scouts and Cubs was held in the Edendale Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 23.” ! New' Moon, scribe for the Tahutimai Company, sends the following notes: “The public is invited to a concert given by our company and to be held in the near future. We intend to give displays of country dancing, physical drill and Guide work, and a few selected solos by members of the company. With the proceeds we hope to be able to go camping to Otimai or to some equally delightful spot for a week-end or longer. “At Guide parades we are all busy hurrying our younger girls through their Tenderfoot and Second Class tests. To help them Captain and Lieutenant organise exciting yet instructive games which involve proficiency in Morse, law’s, knots and general knowledge. Anyone in the company can state the colour of the cockades of the divisional and district commissioners or secretaries, this being quite a feat of memory.” if * * Moonflower reports for the First Cambridge Company: "On Saturday, March 29, our com-

pany attended the South Auckland Guide Rally which was held at Morrinsville. Nine companies gathered together and competed in marching, signalling, country dancing, physical drill. Second Class fire-lighting, and, finally, erected a model camp. Points were given for each event, and the company gaining the highest number of points won the Herbert Smith Cup. The honour of this went to the Te Kuiti company, with the Morrinsville and Cambridge companies coming second and third respectively. “Every alternate Monday we hold a leaders’ and seconds’ instruction class. We meet at the Ranger Den at half past five, have our tea in the Den together, and then study First Class work till 7.30. Then our country dancing instructress takes us for country dancing, as w-’e intend to pass our Folk Dancer’s badge this winter. We close at half past eight, and we are finding these meetings very profitable and interesting.” SUNSET HILL (First-prize Story) It had always been Sunset Hill. No one had ever heard it called anything else. Through the day the green mound stooi serene and cool with a few flowering bushes dotting it and a fringe of poplars about its base. But toward evening lilac shadows gathered about its foot, and the blaze of the setting sun burnished the top of the hill till every blade of grass glowed and seemed to scintillate with sparks. The dwellers in the valley wove many legends about the hill, and many were the superstitions connected with it. Anyone who sat on the top of the hill at sunset, it was said, would vanish with the last golden ray. And any child born at sunset was endowed with all Nature’s blessings. The grass was always green on Sunset Hill, and the bushes were ever flourishing. The tiny stream that rippled out at its base had never been known to dry up. Yet it was said that there was once no Sunset Hill! Just a wide valley. Then a fearful storm arose. The wind howled and beat the rain in frenzy, and the valley was flooded. This was in the time of the Golden Age when plants and trees could speak, anil the storm had been brought about through a quarrel of the Sun King and the Storm Fiend. The inhabitants of the valley would be drowned if nothing was done. A line of poplars swaying and twisting in the wind discussed the situation. They had little fear for themselves: their fears were for the mortals. They called to several shrubs and asked advice. Could anything be done? They all thought quickly and soon decided upon a plan. All plants, shrubs and trees nearest each other stretched our their roots, interlacing them. Then they heaved! The poplars heaved hardest, and the ground rose. Near the end of the line of poplars it broke, the water rushed inside, swelling the mound more and more until at last the whole valley was drained and a high hill had been formed. Near its foot escaped a trickle of water, but that was all. The sun burst through the clouds and his hot rays soon dried up the valley. He was greatly impressed by the heroic attempt made by the trees and shrubs to save mankind, and promised to reward them. He could dry up the water in*the hill, he said, and let them sink to their proper position. But, after consideration, they decided to remain where they were. But the Sun was determined to reward them. So, when he reached the hill in his journey across the sky, he called all his brightest sunbeams and gave to the hill a wonderful beauty, and to all that grew on it, eternal life. ; -GOLD-TIPPED FEATHER (Kat'n- ! leen Neely).