THE WIGWAM

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 989, 4 June 1930, Page 16

THE WIGWAM

Sere ece gather, here toe meet in poimoou friendly ond discreet. To talk of earth, and sea, and sky, and scatch the world of men go by.

GIRL GUIDES’ CORNER The popularity of Girl Guiding in Auckland needed no stronger evidence than the scene witnessed on Sunday when the annual church parade was held in the Town Hall. With an attendance of 1,300 the Town Hall presented the appearance of a sea of navy blue, and his Excellency’s address was listened to with rapt attention by all those fortunate enough to be present. • • • “The Dominion Girl Guide’’ for June Introduces a new display system for company notes, the news of each province being grouped under an appropriate heading. The frontispiece this month is a portrait of Miss Herrick, Provincial Commissioner for Hawke’s Bay. • • • Bronze Wing reports for the Cavell Company: “On Wednesday, May 7, we started our meeting with the usual roll-call and inspection. After a short patrol time the company formed a horse-shoe ready for ceremonial. A second was invested and various badges and patrol points were given out. “Our next meeting, Wednesday, May 14, was taken by Lieutenant and our Ranger Captain as Captain was away at Invercargill. After playing a game, we divided up for ‘group work,” then we had a country dance. We then sat round in a circle for notices and a few camp-fire songs. “As Captain was still away the leaders took the meeting on May 21. During patrol time most of the patrols practised their country' dance for ‘work.’ This was followed by a Morse game and figure marching, and then our District Commissioner, Mrs. McNair, came unexpectedly to inspect the company. Each patrol was given two minutes to prepare an item that would last about five minutes. “May 28 was our ‘work’ night. We were sent a Morse message, and then we had questions about St. Patrick. During patrol time each patrol in turn did their country dance. “On Sunday, June 1, we attended the annual church parade in the Town Hall. “On Tuesday, June 3, we went for a hike up the Waitakere Ranges.’’ Dream Cloud forwards the following Arohanui Company news: “During the past month we have been revising second-class work, training recruits and preparing new things for patrol-corners, etc. Leaders’ training classes are now held every week, and those who attend are very enthusiastic. Patrol competition grows keener every week, and Captain grows more and more searching at inspection, and indeed, all through the meeting, for if a discipline mark is taken off, it is a great disgrace for any' patrol. “Two of our leaders represented Arohanui in the guard of honour at Lady Bledlsloe’s reception on May 20. “On May 24 (Empire Day) we had a visit from the new Eden District Commissioner, Miss Houghton. Miss Houghton first took company inspection, when we were all as spick and span as could be. Ceremonial followed when two Guides, Gloria Grayson and Jean Porter, were enrolled, and eight service stars were presented. After this Miss Houghton told us about keeping our badges clean and our duty as true Guides to do so. ‘For if a Guide’s badge is dirty, it reflects on her character and shows that she is not a true Guide. When the fronts of our badges are wonderfully bright and clean, and the back dirty and gloomy-looking, what kind of Guides are we? Well those kind are Just Guides on the outside and in name only, not really Guides in their hearts at all. Therefore. Guides, see that all parts of our little emblematic trefoil are as clean as we can make them.’

“After ceremonial we had patrolcorner inspection, when the patrols put up a good display of work and ‘grey matter.’ Following, each patrol acted duty in honour of Empire Day. Several games were played, then Captain took us for company drill, assisted by our Commissioner, who greatly interested us in a game of 'Simon Says!' “Our visitor, having then to leave us, was given three hearty cheers, and she said that although we expected her present visit, we should ‘Be Prepared’ for a surprise visit. We then went on with our usual meeting. “Or the following Sunday, in plain clothes, we attended the Balmoral Presbyterian Church to hear an inspiring address by Mrs. Elsie L.incoln Benedict on the ‘Power of Personalty,’ which was very much appreciated by all present.”

Dawn Cloud reports for the Kakamai Company: • “On the first Wednesday of the month we had a ceremonial evening when four Brownies flew up to the company; also two Ambulance badges and several Second Class badges were awarded to the Guides. “On the evening of the second Sunday there -was a parade of Rangers and Guides at the Dominion Road Methodist Church. During the service the Rangers’ flag was dedicated. “The company has recently secured the services of Miss Tottman for the purpose of forming a gymnasium class. This is held fortnightly, the Guides having their drill first, and the Rangers theirs later in the evening. “At the reception given by the women’s organisations of Auckland at the Town Hall on May 20 in honour of Lady Bledisloe, the Girl Guides formed a guard of honour on the stairs of the building. Our

CURIOSITY IN the age-old times when Joy, Gloom, Caution, Modesty, Humility, Affection and all our earthly characteristics walked the world in human form there came among them a queer person with a pointed nose and a tendency to pry into everything. The newcomer was treated with dismay, for the ideals of this upstart were completely foreign to those of the others. For lack of a better name they called him "Curiosity” and shunned him at every turn. Curiosity soon proved that he had a genius for worming out secrets and, as he was addicted to gossip, trouble followed wherever he went. One day he pried into the hermit cave of Knowledge, where the oracle sat pondering his scrolls by the light of a dimly-burn-ing lamp. “Why do you not come out into the world, brother,” asked Curiosity, “and share your teachings with mankind? With my assistance only good can come of it.” So out into the world walked Knowledge, with Curiosity leading the way. The strange partnership exists to this day, and Curiosity has found many useful channels for his ceaseless activities. It is Curiosity that makes us take up a book and Knowledge that looks at us from the final page. And our other characteristics have become resigned, realising that without Curiosity to spur him on Knowledge might still be a dreamer in that dim-lit, secluded cave. REDFEATHER.

Lieutenant and two leaders went as representatives of the Kakamai Company.

“During the school holidays, one of our Guides kindly repaired the library books which, after several years’ use, needed some renovation. Two Guides have now been appointed company librarians. “At a recent company meeting a camp evening was held. In place of the usual company Inspection Captain and Lieutenant inspected the patrols and their ‘tents,’ the positions of which were marked out on the floor. The positions of the beds were marked inside and also those of the ‘gadgets.’ An incinerator, a cooking place, a grease pit and wood pile all appeared on the scene, and the company had as nearly as possible a camp day from colours in the morning to camp-fire in the evening, complete with the Guide Law ceremony.’* • • * Northern Star reports for the Kaitaia Company:— “After roll-call and inspection on May 2 we practised our dances for some time, after which we were glad to sit down with our raffia work. “On Sunday, May 4, we assembled at half-past ten. and Captain enrolled five new Guides before we attended the service. The Red Rose patrol carried the flag, and we were accompanied by the Brownies and the Scouts. “We began our meeting at 2 o’clock on May 24 and, after inspection. Captain told each patrol Its work for ‘Corners.’ After twenty minutes we assembled in the hall again. The Primrose began, each Guide signalling a portion of the Guide Promise. The Bluebell was next, with a story introducing the knots, which were tied by different girls. The Red Rose patrol then gave short scenes illustrating the Guide Law. We then practised the ‘Round Polonaise’ and ‘Sir Roger.* After singing some songs the notices were given out and we were dismissed.’’ WITH THE BOY SCOUTS

At the King’s Birthday service held at St. Matthew’s Church last Sunday there was a good muster of Scouts. The parade was in charge of District Scoutmaster Tribble, and the Metropolitan Commissioner, Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, was represented by Mr. V J. Veart. see Commissioner E. B. B. Boswell has been granted six months’ leave from Scouting activities. The troops in the Auckland district wilil be glad when he is free to take up Scout work again. * • • No. 1 Division held a “Scout’s Own** last Sunday, the service being taken by Metropolitan Commissioner Holdsvorth. • • • The Hawke Sea Scouts report: “May was a month of anniversaries' for the Hawke Sea Scouts, no less than six of its members celebrating birthdays. In addition, the Master, Mr. A. J. Veart, completed 21 years of Scout service. It was in May, 1909, that Mr. Veart formed a Patrol of Scouts among his chums, and they worked together for several months, later affiliating with the Ponsonby Troop. To celebrate all these anniversaries the troop held a pound night on Tuesday May 27, spending the evening in games and competitions, followed by supper. “At the recent badge night. Missioner badges were gained by R. Wright, S. Wilshere, and R. Clarke, the latter also gaining the Entertainer’s badge. The examiner for the Missioner badge commented on the high standard of proficiency shown by the boys. The troop attended church parade «t All Saints’ Church last Sunday week.” * * • Winged Arrow reports for the Ellerslie Troop: “Although some of us were away for the holidays, the last few parades of the Ellerslie troop have been lively and interesting. The Scoutmaster has Introduced several new games which, besides being entertaining, are very instructive.

“We have a good game for keeping warm. Someone stands in the centre, end the others stand two-deep in a circle round the room. When the one In the centre says, ‘The camp fire is burning,’ those on the inside of the circle walk round. When the ‘camp fire blazes’ they run. When ‘it goes out’ they each, including the one in the centre, attempt to get behind one of the stationary Scouts. The one left over goes to the centre, and the game recommences.” • • • There are over 60 kinds of proficiency badges which may be gained by Poy Scouts. The most popular one last year was the Ambulance badge, 21,637 of which were awarded in the British Empire. High figures that show the popularity of others include the Cyclist badge 13,777, Swimmer, 9,031. Missioner 8,196, Pathfinder, 7,829. Recently two new badges—World Friendship and Journalist—have been added to the list. To obtain the WorldFriendship badge the Scout must, among other things, have corresponded with an oversea Scout for a year or have camped with overseas Scouts. An elementary knowledge of printing and editorial work is necessary to secure the Journalist badge.