STEADY PROGRESS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 October 1938, Page 8

STEADY PROGRESS

GIRL GUIDE ACTIVITIES REVIEWED MEETING OF MASTERTON ASSOCIATION. MISS N. RACTLIFFE’S EXPERIENCES. The District Commissioner, Mrs T. Jordan, presided over a large attendance at the annual meeting of the Masterton Girl Guides’ Association, held yesterday afternoon. It was reported that guiding in Masterton had gone on quietly but steadily during the year, although attendances of late had been considerably affected by the measles epidemic. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow: —President, Mrs J. H. Irving; vice-presidents, Mesdames H. G. Moser, A. Caselberg, J. Caselberg, J. Mcßae, R. F. R. Beetham, H. T. Wood, D. M. Graham, W. Saville Smith, E. G. Norman and Dr Helen Cowie; committee, Mesdames W. L. Hunter, J. Forsyth, G. Hill, E. M. Hodder, J. Lawson; company delegates, Mesdames Gaskin and Andrew (Weraiti Company), Garland and Corskie (Tararua Company); secretary and treasurer, Mrs A. F. Stewart. Miss Nora Ractliffe, District Captain, who recently returned ' from a trip overseas, gave a most interesting and informative account of her experiences, particularly those relating to guiding. She described her visits to the guiding centres at Foxlease and Waddow in England and then went on to refer to the Girl Guide World Conference which she attended at Our Chalet in Switzerland. A wonderful spirit of friendship had existed at the conference and Miss Ractliffe said she had never realised before how much the international side of Guiding counted. She was accorded a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation. A delightful afternoon tea was later served by members of the committee. ANNUAL REPORT. The thirteenth annual report stated: “Guiding in Masterton has gone on very quietly but steadily this year. Numbers fell early in the year but are gradually rising again. It is with great regret that we record the death of a vice-president of our local association, Mrs W. H. Jackson, who had been a foundation member, and who had always taken a great interest in the work. Two Guiders have left us this year, Miss S. Frater, Brown Owl, who left to be married, and Miss P. Thomas, who went to a dental appointment at Lower Hutt. We thank them for their past services and wish them success in their new walks of life. Mrs G. F. Hill was appointed delegate to the Provincial Executive and represented our district at the quarterly meetings in Wellington. No camps have been held this year as no Guiders hold camper’s licences, though the Misses N. and G. Allan are hoping io sit for the test in October. Several Guides attended a training week at Wallis House, Lower Hutt, last September and again this year when the training was taken by Miss Knight, a Great Brown Owl from England. They and their Guides and Brownies benefited greatly as a result. The Misses N. and G. Allan, Captains of the Weraiti and Tararua Companies, were also fortunate in being able to attend a training week held for Dominion Guiders at St Matthew’s College, Masterton, by Miss Knight, an English Diploma Guider. All who attended learned a tremendous lot and will be able to start their new year with renewed enthusiasm. The Masterton Executive Committee as well as the Guides responded to the appeal for help for the Far East last December. Guides held a camp fire on the river-bed where a ceremony was held at the same time as those of other Guide companies in New Zealand and all took, some first-aid requisite. As a result a very large parcel of first-aid equipment was handed to the local Red Cross authorities.

“A special service week was held throughout New Zealand in June to raise funds for a memorial to Sir Truby King, as a sign of appreciation of the great help the Plunket Society has been to the Girl Guides’ Association. Our local Guides held a cake competition and sold the cakes. The executive committee subsidised their efforts and the result was very satisfactory. Mrs J. Caselberg, president of the Masterton branch of the Plunket Society, gave a very interesting and much appreciated address to the Guides on the life and work of Sir Truby King. Owing to lack of Guiders this year, the two companies have worked together a good deal. Both Tararua and Weraiti companies have twenty Guides each and all are working at second class work as well as for proficiency badges. Several are attending first-aid lectures. A combined garden party was held last November in Mrs E. G. Norman’s beautiful garden. A short Guide programme was given and then the Guides attended to the serious business of selling at the stalls. The swimming sports were held last March in Mr L. B. Maunsell’s private swimming bath.. It was a cold day and the races were run off quickly. The Welch Cup was won by a narrow margin by the Weraiti Company and was presented to the winners by Mrs Maunsell, who also gave small gifts to the winners in each race. The Guides appreciated very much the courtesy of Mr Maunsell in allowing them the use of his bath. The Company committees combined foi’ the Guides’ annual party. Unfortunately the weather was wet and the arranged picnic to Carter’s Bush had to be abandoned and an indoor party was held instead. However, a very happy time was spent with games and tea. “During the fine weather, hikes were often held and will be started again soon. Several Church Parades were held at the different churches. The Company committees have as always shown great interest -in their companies, and have arranged and catered for their annual parties. The Brownies have had a happy year. We are most fortunate in having Mrs Hill to take on the Weraiti Pack. She has Miss J. Morris as Tawny Owl to help her. The numbers have increased and test work is being done as well as games and exercises. Miss Mannell has worked nobly with the Tararua Pack. She has been handicapped by lack of assistance but we hope soon to have a Tawny Owl for her. Four Brownies gained their first-class and so earned their “wings” with which to

“fly to Guides.” I should like to express my great appreciation of our Guiders who truly have the real Guide spirit. In their annual _ reports one can read of the happiness they find in their work and can feel the inspiration for future service to Guiding. Our thanks are due to our Guiders, to the Borough Council, to the Press, to Mr D. T. Herbert, Mrs Norman, Mr Maunsell, to badge examiners and to many friends who help in various The balance at the Post Office Savings Bank stands at £32 2s Bd.” The report was signed by Mrs Jordan.