GIRL GUIDES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 September 1939, Page 8

GIRL GUIDES

ANNUAL MEETING. CONSIDERABLE VITALITY EVIDENT. The fourteenth annual general meeting of the Masterton Girl Guides - Association was held in the Municipal Buildings yesterday afternoon. Mrs J. H. Irving presided over an attendance of approximately 75. Among those present were Miss Ruth Herwick, New Zealand Chief Commissioner, Mrs .E. Holmes, Provincial Commissioner, and Mrs D. H. S. Riddiford, Divisional Commissioner. It was reported that the balance at the Post Office Savings Bank stood at £26 6s Id on July 31. "We have been working rather at a disadvantage during the past year, owing mainly to the fact that a District Commissioner has not yet been appointed to take the place so ably filled for 12 years by Mrs Jordan,” said Mrs Irving. Mrs Jordan, who resigned from this position was farewelled at an afternoon on November 2 last at Mrs Daniell’s residence, at which the Guides and Brownies provided the entertainment. The Association also suffered a severe loss through the resignation and departure from Masterton of Mrs Hill, the Brown Owl of the \reraiti Brownies, and a member of, the executive. A farewell tea was given to her at the residence of Mrs Gaskin, where a presentation was made on behalf of the executive. Miss Nancy Allan also resigned and was thanked for her many years of faithful service. The attendance of the Guides and Brownies throughout the year has been excellent, and much routine work has been done. Between January 12 and 20 the Company camped with the Heretaunga Guides at the newly acquired permanent site at Waikanae. Miss Cocker has been taking classes for Child Nurse Badges in the Plunket Rooms every Friday, and on Wednesday afternoons the Guides have been going to the Aerodrome where Mr McDonald has been taking classes for the Airwomen’s Badge. The Swimming Sports were held at Mr L. B. Maunsell’s baths at the end of April, and we thank Mr Maunsell for so kindly lending his pool. “Mrs Riddiford, our Divisional Commissioner, was present at our May meeting. She spoke enthusiastically of the Centennial Camp, which is to be held at Tauherenikau in 1940, and appealed for funds for equipment. The Executive and Company Committees donated five pounds, and this sum has been made up to ten pounds, which is sufficient to purchase a tent. Mrs Riddiford also visited both Companies and Packs. In reply to a request from the Committee of the Keep Fit Campaign, a fair muster of Girl Guides and Brownies took part in the Procession. At the last annual meeting Miss Ractliffe gave a report on the conference which she had attended in Switzerland and at which she was the New Zealand delegate, and we were glad to hear of the wonderful spirit which exists amongst Guides of all nations. Our District Captain’s services are very much appreciated by us all. Our thanks are due to cur Guides, to the Masterton Borough Council, to the Press, to Mr- D. T. Herbert, to Mr L. B. Maunsell, t<s Badge Examiners and to many friends who help. “In the division, the territory of which extends from Featherston to Eketahuna, we have 282 guides and guiders,” said Mrs D. H. S. Riddiford. Continuing, Mrs Riddiford stated that all Companies and Packs were progressing strongly, the only lack being that of guiders. Congratulations were extended to Mrs T. Jordan, the retiring district commissioner, whose splendid work in furthering the activities of the Girl Guides Association in the district were a source of inspiration to all those who had been fortunate enough to work with her. “I must congratulate you on the obvious vitality of the division,” said Miss Herrick. “I feel that at the present time the Guide movement is more important that it has ever been before, and in view of the present International position is of vital importance to the entire community,” said Miss Herrick. Reference to the proposed centennial camp was also made by Miss Herrick. “In view of the war in Europe it was decided to abandon the camp as planned —that is as a celebration,” she said. "However, it was also decided that if possible a camp would be run, but on different lines something in the nature of a National service training camp. This is, of course, not final. It was felt in some quarters that the parents would not send the children to a camp of this nature, and that more district camps should be held.” Miss Herrick, further stated that a definite announcement in connection with the matter would be made within the next few days. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mrs J. H. Irving; vice-presidents Mesdames H. G. Moser, A. Caselberg, J. Calesberg, J. Macrae, T. Beetham, D. M. Graham, E. H. Norman, T. Jordan; committee, Mesdames W. L. Hunter, J. Forsyth, N. Lee, J. Lawsen, F. Ractliffe, E. Hodder, D. Andrews. F. R. Garland, W. B. Gaskin, A. Corskie, C. H. McKenzie, H. W. Lindsey and A. Stewart.